The two main uses of a Travel First Aid Kit are the following: First, to let the traveler to take care of certain minor illness or conditions when they occur. Secondy, it is also used to treat complications of certain medical conditions.
People with certain pre-existing illnesses, like diabetes or even allergies, should be wearing a medic alert bracelet. In addition, they should also make sure that information about their identity is on the card placed inside their wallet and together with other documents while travelljng. Different kinds of travel kits are commercially made, however, one can also assemble a similar kit at home. The specific items placed inside the kit are usually based on duration, type, and the destination of travel. This is along with the pre-existing conditions or disease of the traveller, as mentioned above.
The traveller’s first aid kit should be carried everywhere and always, throughout your travels. Travel doe not only pertainto long distances where in you need to ride a plane. Traveling can be as simple as getting inside your car and going to the shop or grocery. Traveling would pertain to the fact that your are heading to another place. If you only need to use your car, your travel first aid kit should be placed inside the trunk of your car. This way, you won’t need to worry about emergency situations.
If you need to ride a plane, you don’t need to worry much because they always have a first aid kit handy. Besides, all the flight stewardess are taught basic first aid. The only thing you can bring during plane trips would be medicines you may need in case of an accident or if you have an illness like diabetes or heart condition that require you to have prescripted medication. Those would be the medicines you should bring because those are definitely not included in the plane’s first aid kit. Hence, when you bring prescripted medicines, make sure yopu have the prescription with you. Airports nowadays are very strict when it comes to medicines and drugs. You need this to prove that they are prescribed to you.
Other basic items of the kit include the following.
Medications:
- Personal prescription medications in their original containers (all prescriptions must be carried, as well as the generic names of medications, physician’s orders medical administration)
- Over-the-counter antidiarrheal medication (e.g., bismuth subsalicylate, loperamide)
- Antimalarial medications, if needed
- Antibiotic for self-treatment of moderate to severe diarrhea
- Decongestant, alone or in combination with antihistamine
- Antihistamine
- Acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen, or other medication for pain or fever
- Anti-motion sickness medication
- Cough suppressant/expectorant
- Mild laxative
- Throat lozenges
- Antifungal and antibacterial ointments or creams
- Antacid
- 1% hydrocortisone cream
- Epinephrine auto-injector for severe allergy
Other items:
- Insect repellent containing DEET (up to 50%)
- Hand sanitizers that are at least 60 %alcohol-based or Antibacterial type of hand wipes
- Packets of “Oral rehydration solution”
- Aloe gel for sunburns
- Digital thermometer
- Basic first-aid necessities like gauzes, adhesive bandages, ace wraps, tweezers, antiseptics, scissors, cotton-tipped applicators and the like
- Moleskin for blisters
- Lubricating eye drops
- Sunscreen (preferably SPF 15 or greater)
- First aid quick reference card
Another thing to consider before embarking on a long travel would be to have shots for yellow fever, hepatitis, tetenus, fever and the like. Of course, these shots will last you for years so you don’t need to take one every year. The shot for yellow fever alone can last up to five years. This is just a precautionary measure to avoid getting malaria or dengue, especially if you’ll be travelling to tropical areas, places with rainforests or regions with a climate condusive to carriers of this disease.
Thus, travelling is one of the high risk factors for accidents. This is why it is best to carry a travel first aid at all times. Plus, make sure your mobile has all the important numbers of your loved ones, friends and even the emergency hotlines. Aside from listing it on your mobile, also have a separate list, just in case your mobile’s batteries get discharged. As for your mobile, if you frequently travel, always bring a spare battery and a charger. When you prepare for emergency situations, it doesn’t mean that you are waiting for it. You are just getting ready just in case it happens.