Travel Medicine Clinic at Hartshorn Health Service (970)-491-7121
First Aid Kit for Travel
When you design a first aid kit you should consider the following:
- Medical expertise of the intended user
- Environmental extremess
- Endemic disease in the area of travel
- Duration of travel
- Distance from available medical care and availability of rescue
- Number of persons the kit will need to support
- Weight and space limitations
The kit should be well organized in a convenient carrying case. Well labeled kits are easier and faster to use in an emergency.
Basic Supplies
Wound Management
- 10-20cc irrigation syringe for irrigating wounds
- Betadine (Providone iodine USP 10%) to disinfect backcountry water and sterilize wound edges. When diluted 10 fold it can be used for wound irrigation.
- ¼” x 4” wound closure strips (steristrips)
- Tincture of benzoin or superglue
- Polysporin or double antibiotic ointment
- Forceps or tweezers
- Exam gloves
- Bandaids (several sizes)
- Gauze roller bandages
- Non-adherent sterile dressings (Telfa, Adaptic, Xeroform)
- 4” x 4” Sterile dressings
- Tape
- Moleskin or moleform
Equipments
- SAM Splint
- Ace Bandage
- Bandage scissors
- Cotton tipped applicators
- Ziploc plastic bag
- Safety pins
- Duct Tape
Medications
- 10-20cc irrigation syringe for irrigating wounds
- Tylenol and/or Ibuprofen
- Diphenhydramine (benedryl)
- Mylanta/Tums
- Hydrocortisone cream
- Imodium (loperamide)
- Peptobismol
- Oral rehydration salts
- Sudafed/cold remedy
- Glucose Paste
- Aspirin
Jungle or Third world travel
- Ciprofloxacin or azithromycin for traveler’s diarrhea
- Insect Repellent-DEET
- Sunscreen
- Aloe Vera Gel
Other
- Prescription medications
- Asthma inhaler
- Epinephrine Pen
- Nitroglycerin tablets