Whenever people are planning to travel, one common question that pops into their minds is “what things should I bring with me?” These actually depend on the purpose of their travel and the place they will go to. Things commonly include identity cards, pocket money, clothes and gadgets. But a first aid kit may be considered a universal necessity when travelling, because there is always a chance that you will be using it at some point in time.
The first step to stocking up contents in a first aid kit is to choose a durable and lightweight plastic container that is easy to carry with your luggage. It should include compartments for easier sorting of medicines and other first aid paraphernalia.
General Items In A First Aid Kit:
- Towels
- Elastic Bandage
- Safety pins, tweezers and splints
- Saline Solution (for flushing injuries or wounds)
- Disposable sterile gloves (protective equipment for the person performing first aid)
- Iodine Solution (for cleaning wounds, injuries)
- Rehydration Solutions
- Thermometer
Recommended Medications:
- Flu medicines
- Anti-histamines – this is very important if you have severe allergic reactions to foods, weather or other factors.
- Anti-diarrheal and/or laxatives – There are certain conditions that might contribute to constipation and the food you eat might cause diarrhea. It is best to have these medications all the time.
- Pain relievers and antibiotics – There are instances when you will experience pain, which is why pain killers should be brought along. Similarly, antibiotics will be helpful to prevent any kind of inflammation or infection.
- Ointments or lotions – Common topical medications include sunscreen lotions, insect repellant and antibiotic ointments for external wounds/injuries.
- Analgesics – These medications are used for fever.
Important notes:
- The size of the first aid container will depend on the place you will visit – if you plan to go a city or urban area, you can bring a smaller container, since it would be easier to buy medicines in these places. A larger container, on the other hand, is more suitable when traveling to remote areas, going on an island vacation or trekking, so that you can stock up as many things as needed.
- The contents of the first aid kit will usually depend on the place you are going to visit. It is therefore important to think through the things that you will likely use during the trip.
- If you a specific medical condition, like hypertension or diabetes, do not forget to bring your prescribed medications to avoid any hassle.
- The medicines have limited lifetime, so it is important to regularly check the expiration date of medicines and replace them whenever necessary.
- Seek help from a pharmacist for further advice regarding the safe and effective use of medicines and other things in your kit.
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Sources:
“How to make a top-notch travel first aid kit.” Lonely Planet. Retrieved online on June 23, 2014 from https://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/forums/health/topics/how-to-make-a-top-notch-travel-first-aid-kit
“First Aid Kit for Travelers.” HIT Travel Insurance. Retrieved online on June 23, 2014 from https://www.hthtravelinsurance.com/travel_center/general/ne_el_20.cfm