I have traveled extensively over the years and I have a first aid kit I made myself. Why not buy a big first aid kit from Costco or Walmart? Because I did not like what they were putting in those kits, and their small travel kit would be used up in one of my typical winter travels. Read on to learn how to make a travel first aid kit.
The first thing I needed to know is what do I need to treat myself for a minor problem,. Anything major would be handled by medical people, so I thought about cuts, abrasions and the odd cold. Then 9/11 happened and my travel first aid kit went into my checked baggage. You’ll see why in a minute. So I now have two kits, one with me at all times and one in the checked bag.
The kit with me contained a few assorted bandaids with antibiotic in the pad. I also carry a pain reliever of some kind. Right now it’s Ibuprofen of some kind, brand name Motrin, or I carry naproxen sodium, brand name Aleve. That’s it for the kit that is with me at all times. The reason for the antibiotic band aids is that It will make sure that infection will be hard to start on a cut.
The Kit I carry in my check-in bag is one I made up on my own. The first thing you will need is a place to keep all the first aid stuff. I pack in in a bag like this:
That is an eagle creek bag you can get from the container store, or any hiking or travel supply store. I use it because it can carry a lot or a little. You can see through it to figure out what it is.
The next thing I add to my kit is a collection of fabric backed band-aids. The fabric backed Band aids are more flexible and feel better for me. These are not antibiotic filled. I do carry an antibiotic ointment. Get what you like, but I get the triple antibiotic ointments. I also carry a few cotton swabs in a ziploc bag to apply the ointment to the wound.
The medications I carry are ibuprofen or naproxen sodium. I also carry a decongestant, along with a little benadryl. Bring along what you like just enough for however long you might be traveling.
the tools I carry in the bag are a pair of tweezers for getting wood splinters out of the skin. Don’t ask. I also carry a set of fingernail and toenail clippers. Along with that I have a chemical light and a flash light. I have had emergencies in Hotels before and having a light stick can give you peace of mind.
There is one more thing that I carry in my first aid kit and it is melatonin. I am more susceptible to jet lag than I used to be. Melatonin helps me maintain a normal sleep pattern.
I made this kit because the others either gave me too little or too much stuff. What you see in my kit is pretty much all that you really need, unless you want an emergency kit for home, but that’s another post.
Please pass this post on to your friends using whatever service is your favorite. Thak you
Related posts:
