10 items you MUST carry in your travel medical kit
Health concerns are the last thing you want to be dealing with when on holidays, but unfortunately accidents can still happen when we are travelling.
This is why a travel medical kit is one of the most important things you will pack.
From simple first aid measures to equipment that will help you in instances where something more serious is occurring, a well-stocked travel medical kit is the hallmark of every sensible traveller. Here are 10 items you must include in your travel medical kit.
We’ve also included some additional tips at the bottom of the article.
1. Adhesive dressings (Band-Aids) – When travelling we’re particularly susceptible to minor cuts. Adhesive dressings ensure these nicks and scrapes don’t get infected.
2. Antihistamine – These are essential, especially if you’re someone who suffers from allergies, as they allow you to control allergic reactions in foreign environments.
3. Bandages – Use bandages to create support structures for strained limbs, reduce swellings, hold dressings in place, and even as a makeshift sling.
4. Instant cold pack – These handy devices are especially useful when it comes time to deal with any swelling issues or untoward skin reactions encountered abroad.
5. Antibacterial gel – If you’re in a situation when you need a pair of clean hands, antibacterial gel makes it possible without the need of water access.
6. Oral rehydration salts – Dehydration can quickly turn into a big issues overseas, so having a few oral rehydration salts on hand can get you out of a serious bind.
7. Safety pins – The practicality of safety pins knows no bounds, especially if you find yourself in a situation where you need to keep bandages or slings in place.
8. Thermal blanket – In an emergency situation a thermal blanket can help control body temperature and ultimately avoid the likelihood of someone going into shock.
9. Thermometer – It’s also quite useful to have a thermometer at hand just in case. Go for a digital design that’s easier to read in an emergency situation.
10. Tweezers – If you ever need to remove splinters when you’re overseas or do running repairs to adhesive dressings, a pair of tweezers becomes quite useful.
Additional tips and pointers:
- Keep you travel medical kit in a dry, cool storage location if possible.
- Make sure it’s in an easily accessible part of your suitcase or backpack, and make sure everyone you are travelling with knows where to find it.
- Before you head off, double check the contents of your kit ensuring any creams are up to date, bandages and dressings are properly sealed and all items are working properly.
Image: Getty