First aid covers the steps taken to help an injured or sick person in the first minutes after an illness or injury. Accidents or illness can happen to anyone at any time, whether at home, at work or at school. Often first aid can help someone feel better, recover more quickly, and can even save lives. Often this first aid can help someone feel better, recover more quickly, and can even save lives. First aid can be useful in many different situations, from sprains to electric shocks to heart attacks. The list of medicines and other stuffs to be carried during the tour, trip, trek are listed below.
MEDICINES:
- Antacid medicine
- Medicines you take on a regular basis at home. Travelers should take enough medicine for the planned trip plus extra in case the return home is delayed. Carry all medicine in their original containers with clear labels that identify your name and dosing schedule. If you have a chronic condition, such as diabetes, seizures, or allergies, consider wearing a medical alert bracelet.
- Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin to relieve headaches, pain, fever, and simple sprains or strains
- Antihistamines to relieve allergies
- Antinausea or motion sickness medicine
- Acetazolamide to relieve in altitude sickness
- Over-the-counter medicine for diarrhea
- Cough and cold medicines
EQUIPMENTS:
- Bandage closures, such as butterfly bandages, to tape edges of minor cuts together
- Triangular bandage to wrap injuries and make an arm sling
- Elastic wraps to wrap wrist, ankle, knee, and elbow injuries
- Bandages of assorted sizes to cover minor cuts and scrapes
- Safety pins to fasten splints and bandages
- Gauze in rolls, as well as 2-inch and 4-inch pads to dress larger cuts and scrapes
- Adhesive tape to keep gauze in place
- Disposable, instant-activating cold packs to cool injuries and burns, as well as for use in strains and sprains
- Disposable rubber gloves to protect hands and reduce risk of infection when treating wounds
- Thermometer to take temperatures in case of illness
- Oximeter to check the oxygen level in the blood
EQUIPMENTS: (may not be allowed in your carry-on bag if traveling by air)
- Scissors with rounded tips to cut tape, gauze, or clothes, if necessary
- Tweezers to remove small splinters, foreign objects, bee stingers, and ticks from the skin
LOTION/CREAM/WIPES:
- Antibacterial hand wipes or an alcohol-based hand cleaner (should contain 60% alcohol or more)
- Antiseptic wipes to disinfect wounds or clean hands, tweezers, scissors, or other utensils
- Antibiotic ointment to prevent infection in cuts, scrapes, and burns
- Hydrogen peroxide to clean and disinfect wounds
- Aloe gel for sunburns
- Insect repellent (Those appropriate for use on children should contain no more than 10% to 15% DEET, and 30% to 50% DEET or up to 15% of picaridin for adults, as the chemical can cause harm when absorbed through the skin. Do not use insect repellant on infants 2 months of age or younger.)
- Calamine lotion to relieve itching and irritation from insect bites and poison ivy
- Hydrocortisone cream to relieve irritation from rashes
- Sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher
MISCELLANEOUS:
- Latex condoms
- Water purification tablets
- Extra pair of contact lenses or prescription glasses
- List of prescription medicines and generic names
The first aid container should be of lightweight fabrics with space-saving design, making them ideal for activities requiring minimal gear. The items are stored in waterproof component bags in which everything is clearly visible and easy to access, helping to survive the toughest of conditions.
