'Be Prepared' It's the Boy Scout motto and it defiantly applies to first aid situations. This is never more relevant than when your packing your bags and heading to an unknowns and exciting location on vacation. It is not uncommon when travelling to find yourself along way from help if there is an emergency. If camping, tramping or backpacking, at home or in foreign country there are a few essential items to carry. These include simple items such as heavy duty tape, cable ties, a torch, but most importantly a first aid kit. I’m a pessimist at heart, I prepare for the worst but am grateful when the worst does not occur, however I know that if something does happen I will be ready for it.
The following article compiles what would have to be the most important items and should be included in a first aid kit. Importantly if you invest in a first aid kit read the instructions and know how to use the items in you kit – before you need them.
Be aware - If you have prescription based medication you need to take overseas with you then ensure that it is correctly labelled, and the prescription is correct. In the current age of fear surrounding air travel you must be extremely careful with such details nothing is overlooked and your incorrectly labelled heart medication could be the cause of a full search resulting in you missing your plane.
Latex gloves – Latex gloves are mandatory these days, always wear gloves when attending to someone else's injury, especially if you’re the first on the scene and don’t know the injured person. Your life is always more important, don’t take unnecessary risks. There are many contagious diseases around today; contact with another person’s blood should be avoided at all cost.
Paracetamol based pain killers - A lot of pain killers have Paracetamol in them, ask for it by name as they are extremely effective at reducing pain. The little known benefit is that Paracetamol also reduces nausea and will therefore not only help headaches but also stomach aches, and even that hangover from last night.
Tweezers – Its silly things like a splinter or sliver of glass that can really make a trip uncomfortable, especially if hiking a long distance, therefore a good set of tweezers is perfect for removing splinters and other such annoyances.
Sling (triangle shaped bandage) – A perfect tool for immobilizing arms. If you think the injured arm is dislocated or even broken, place into a sling as this will do no more damage to the injury. It will however help increase the patients comfort and help reduce pain. Pain management is important, especially so if you need to evacuate the patient because help cannot get to you.
Saline solution - This is often overlooked especially if running out of room in your first aid kit. However it is one of the most used items; often utilized for things not injury related like cleaning your contact lenses. Saline solution is the same composition as tears and there for perfect for rinsing foreign objects from your eyes or a wound. Saline solution is a very versatile item.
Plasters - To save on room and time there is only one plaster recommended for a first aid kit; that is the continuous strip cotton plaster. Such plasters are incredibly strong, durable, long lasting and - they can be cut to cover almost any size wound, they protect blisters, and will stay on no matter what – they will stay in place even if wet and when placed on over moving body parts.
Bandages in various sizes; about 4 or 5 assorted bandages minimum, if you’re unfortunate enough to encounter a wound where there is a lot of blood the bandages provide hygienic materials to clean the wound, stop bleeding and minimize the risk of infection. Alternately, if you are day away from medical help new bandages can be used each day to redress the wound thus helping reduce the chance of infection. In reality they will be used to strap twisted ankles and sore elbows which are much more common.
Emergency blankets are compact aluminium foil blankets, they are inexpensive and light. Emergency blankets are important if your travelling outdoors, or simply if your stranded in the car. Shock victims are prone to heat loss and hypothermia therefore all efforts must be made to keep them warm.
Gauze Pads and Rolls again in various sizes, these can be used to pack large flesh wounds or keep burns moist until medical professionals can assess the severity of the injury.
Antibiotic Cream, every wound has the high chance of infection especially if you’re travelling in the outdoors. Even if the wound is not big enough to justify immediate medical help it's extremely likely an infection will set in if you're not careful. Poor treatment can ensure that the wound does become serious and will ruin a vacation. Look after cuts no matter the size and use antibiotic cream when dressing them.
Antiseptic wipes another great tool for reducing the chance of infection. Cleaning the wound as soon as possible is obviously important, however it's imperative if camping or hiking because you're living in a much dirtier environment. This will greatly help reduce the chance of a small cut or graze becoming infected and inflamed.
Motion sickness tablets - Imperative to saving a holiday experience, don't be macho about the situation, if your on a cruise, plane or even a car and you know your prone to bouts of travel sickness take a tablet before you leave, it may very well save you day and even the vacation.
Be Aware - If your accident doesn't require medical attention and you decide to carry on with your vacation ensure that you redress any wounds every day to help reduce the risk of any infection.
Sharp medical scissors - these scissors need to be heavy duty, stainless steel and sharp enough to cut clothes, plasters and bandages. Scissors are quite simply an extremely versatile tool that will be in constant use.
Antihistamine tablets – Perfect for allergic reactions like brushing against poison ivy or more serious like bee stings or reactions to nuts.
Be Aware - After the basics, don’t forget things like your Asthma medication or blood pressure pills. It is also important to include specialty items to your kit to the country or area you're travelling too. For example, if going to the tropics take sun block and aloe vera.
In conclusion the most important requirements for a first aid kit are the most basic they will also be the most utilized. The items outlined in this article comprise a basic first aid kit. When travelling (especially for long periods) weight will dictate how much luggage you can carry. If you still feel unprepared then the next most important thing you can invest in is education. Some one who knows what to do in an emergency situation is more valuable than someone who doesn't yet has the most comprehensive kit. If your trip is intended to be for a long time or you will be going to a remote area, it is recommended you complete a first aid course. This will not only teach you important techniques, it will also teach you about all the items you’re carrying and also show you how to utilize surrounding environment when required.
