First aid kits. Do you travel with one? If
so, is it regularly updated before you venture off on your well-deserved
vacation?

We have been travelling with a small first aid
kit since 2013. During that time our most used items have been:

• Panadol tablets for various
  aches and pains.
• Hydrolyte tablets to rehydrate
  during and after bouts of diarrhoea and vomiting.
• Po Chai or Charcoal tablets to
  stop diarrhoea (a well-known brand is Imodium).
• Plasters.
• Blackmores Liquid Echinacea
  (which we take on a daily basis in orange juice); although it is specifically
  for colds and flu’s we use it more as an immune booster.
• Antiseptic hand gel.

Hydrolyte tablets or hydrolyte drinks replace
fluids and electrolytes after bouts of diarrhoea and vomiting. Once the tablet
dissolves, sip on the drink at regular intervals making sure to throw it out if
it is not refrigerated. If you can refrigerate, it will keep up to 24 hours.

If you haven’t heard of Po Chai or Charcoal
tablets, that’s perfectly fine. Po Chai tablets can be found in Asia, e.g.,
Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore, and we have been using them since we found
out about them whilst living in Singapore in 2000.

We have purchased Charcoal tablets, a.k.a.,
Carbon tablets, in Mexico. Po Chai and Charcoal tablets assist in stopping
diarrhoea and vomiting.

Our Travel First Aid Checklist

You can use our checklist as a guide for
your travels, and depending on your destination you may need to add or subtract
other items:

• Panadol tablets
• Hydrolyte tablets
• Po Chai, Carbon, or Imodium
  tablets
• Range of adhesive dressings,
  scissors, and antiseptic wipes for cleaning wounds prior to bandaging
• Antiseptic hand gel
• Rubber gloves to avoid cross
  infection in blood
• Face masks – N95 or similar. We
  have used these in Chiang Mai during the smoking season and in dense traffic
  areas such as Vietnam
• Safety pins to hold bandages in
  place
• Small scissors and tweezers
• Tape to hold dressings in place
• Stingos – for the relief of
  bites and stings
• Thermometer
• Penicillin tablets – we can
  purchase penicillin tablets over the counter in some Asian countries
• Insect repellent
• Sunscreen

Top Tips to Always Keep in Mind

Keep Your First Aid Kit Updated

Before you travel, check your travel first
aid kit and update any products that are out of date.

Check Vaccinations

Check the countries that you are planning
to visit for any mandatory or recommended vaccinations – you may need to have a
booster.

Malaria Prone Countries

Speak to your doctor if you are travelling
to a country with a high risk of malaria. Some medications that you may already
take may have adverse reactions to malaria tablets and some malaria tablets can
give you adverse reactions.

Purify Your Water

If you are trekking or hiking, you may
consider taking water purification tablets with you.

Stock Up on Medication

Make sure you have adequate supplies of
your current medication. Whatever drugs you take daily may not be available for
purchase in your destination, so stock up.

Stock Up on Batteries

If you have a hearing aid, ensure that you
have plenty of batteries to carry with you.

Include Skin Protection

No matter where you’re traveling to, take sunscreen
and insect repellent with you.

Don’t Neglect Hydration

Buy your own refillable water bottle and
refill where possible.

Always ensure that you take out travel
insurance as soon as you book your flights, accommodation, and tours. This
practice will save you a lot of headache.

Safe travels!

What do you carry in your first aid kit?
Which items do you use most often? What have you never used but still carry
with you? Please share with the community!