Travel First Aid Kit

Whether traveling through the woods behind your home, or across the desert in Africa, you want to think about what type of first aid kit you should have available.  First Aid Kits are not hard to build, and often the easiest way to build one is to buy a basic kit and customize it for your trip needs.  As you customize your kit, you want to consider

·         What items must you have on you - prescription meds?

·         What items may be hard to find or replace - certain drugs cannot be found in every country

·         How large is your group – just you or many people?

·         What will conditions likely be – wet, dry, hot, cold?

·         How long will you be out – a few hours, days, or weeks?

By answering the questions above, you can begin to build your list of contents to include.  As you likely cannot bring everything available in your kit, you’ll have to decide what is necessary, and just nice to have.

Basic First Aid Kit for the outdoors may include:

• Elastic roll bandage
• Adhesive tape
• Adhesive bandages, assorted sizes
• Gauze pads
• Triangular bandage
• 2nd Skin in small plastic container
• Moleskin and molefoam
• Alcohol Wipes
• Antiseptic ointment
• Mirror, small and unbreakable
• Safety pins
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Bulb irrigating syringe
• Antacid
• Antihistamine (Benadryl, etc.)
• Anti-inflammatory (Ibuprofen)
• Hydrocortisone cream
• Latex exam gloves
• CPR face shield

You’ll also want to customize your kit to include additional items such as:

• Traveling in countries with poor sanitation - antibiotics, diarrhea meds, electrolyte powders
• Traveling way off the beaten path – wound management kit
• Traveling with women – tampons or sanitary napkins

Other Items to Note:

·         Proper storage of your kit is critical.  Try to find a soft sided waterproof bag for your items.  A plastic Tupperware container works too.

·         Storage is also important.  Leaving your kit in your hot car week after week will break down many items very quickly.

·         Many drugs have a specific shelf life.  Open your kit frequently to make sure your items are still within date.

·         Restock after a trip if you used any items.  Going back out with a half empty kit doesn't serve its point

·         Know how to use the items you have.  Don’t know how to use any items?  Take a local first aid class through the Red Cross or Community Center.