TRAVEL KITS
The Kit
required will be influenced by the destination (particularly if remote), length
of stay, potential health risks & the health of the traveler. Also the
standard of
medical care in country of destination and the distance/time needed to get
suitable care.
Many types of
travel kits available commercially.
1. World
traveller kit – manufactured for third world travelers and trekkers.
2. Back
Packer’s Kit
3. Blister
Fighter Medical Kit
4. Suture &
Syringe Kits –e.g. Steri-Aid – especially useful where any doubt
of
sterility of local equipment
Some travelers
may want to make up their own kits and which may include:
Medications
taken regularly at home (including BCP)
Malaria
Chemoprophylaxis – when indicated or for Self treatment
Diarrhea
medication – loperamide and a prescribed quinalone
Sunscreen
Emergency
blanket
Whistle
Antibacterial
soap, hand wipes or waterless gel
Water
purification tablets
Oral
rehydration salts
Antacid
Antihistamine
Analgesic
Antibiotic/hydrocortisone cream
Moleskin for
blisters
Band-Aids,
dressings ,tape
Gloves
Flashlight &
batteries
Condoms
Candle &
matches
Laxative
Scissors
Splinter
forceps
Thermometer
Wound closure
strips
As well as
prescription medications, spare glasses/contact lenses
See recent
Journal of Travel Medicine – Volume 9, Number 5 pg 244– article on the
Evaluation of The Coca-Cola Company
Travel
Health Kit
Paulina Pike RN
COHN(C)
pikesplace@telus.net
Appendix
The following is a
list of supplies I give to travelers concerning their travel kit supplies:
Paul Assad MD
Prescription Items:
-
Epipen
or Anakit
-
Antibiotics:
Cipro-Levaquin-Zithromax-Biaxin - Flagyl . Rx for Traveler’s diarrhoea +
common bacterial – parasitic infections.
-
Antibiotic cream (Bactroban-
Fucidin): For cuts, burns, and abrasions.
-
Tranquilizer-Sleeping
pills: Ativan – Immovane ( fear of flying – jet lag – insomnia)
-
Eye antibiotic drops (
Tobrex)
-
Pain relief (Tylenol 3-
codeine)
-
Motion sickness: (Gravol
- Bonamine)
-
Bowel Cramps: (Tylenol
3- codeine)
-
Ear antibiotic drops: (Sofracort)
-
High altitude sickness
pills: (Diamox)
-
Malaria pills: Mefloquine-
Malarone – Primaquine – Doxycycline – Chloroquine.
Non-
prescription Supplies
-
Aspirin, Tylenol,
Ibuprofen, Advil, Motrin:
For relief of aches and pains.
-
Antifungal skin cream (Micatin):
For athlete's foot, and other fungal skin problems.
-
Antifungal vaginal cream (Canesten,
Monistat): For women prone to yeast infections.
-
Cough suppressant (Robitussin
DM)
-
Decongestants (Dimetapp,
Sudafed, Otrivin spray) For colds, ear pain during flight and allergies.
-
Diarrhoea relief -
Hydration : Imodium, Pepto-Bismol. Oral
Rehydration salts,Gatorade.
-
Hydrocortisone cream (Cortate)
and Burasol powder : Relief of skin irritation, infection, and
abrasion.
-
Traveler's constipation:
Bran, fibre supplement (Fibrolax), stool softener (Colace), and
Laxative.
-
Eye drops (Tear 11)
and Throat Lozenges: For eye and throat irritation from air pollution.
-
Antacid (Tums-Maalox-
zantac 75 - pepcid AC): Gastritis - heartburn.
-
Vitamins: Inadequate
diets anticipated such as trekking vegetarian countries (India).
-
Swimmer's ears
prevention: Burasol Otic, Star drops: Home-made: 1 part vinegar to 1 part H2O
Equipment-supplies
-
First Aid book
-
Syringe Kit (For security
reasons do not carry on board aircraft)
-
Rehydration salts –
Gatorade
-
Antiseptic solution (Spectro-gel,
Hibitane-Savlon)
-
Bandages (Telfa, Mefix,
gauze, roll)
-
Band-Aids, Elastic
bandages (Tensor)
-
Triangular bandage for
sling
-
Thermometer
-
Syringes-Lancet-Scalpel
blades-
-
IV insertion Canula
-
Emergency Dental Kit (Cavate
emergency filling- oil of clove- cotton balls)
-
Moleskin, mole foam-Second
skin : blisters
-
Steristrips
-
Gloves (disposable)
-
Tape (adhesive and duct)
-
Sunscreen SPF> 15+ Parsol-Titanium
Dioxide
-
Towelettes-Hand Sanitizer
(Purell)
-
Toilet paper
-
Big orange plastic garbage
bags (Emergency rain gear)
-
Paper and pencil
-
Clothing repair kit
-
Padlock and chain
-
Mosquito netting treated
with Permethrine insecticide
-
Insect repellent for skin
SAWYER Controlled release DEET (on sale at clinic)
-
Flying insect spray (OFF
pump spray) + Insect Coils
-
Tick repellent for
clothes: (Permethrine)
-
Swiss army knife
-
Small tweezers and tick
remover
-
Water disinfections
tablets (Pristine-Portable Aqua, Polar)
-
Woman traveler:
-
Contraceptive pills.
Morning after pill, condoms, spermicidal cream (advantage 24).
-
Diflucan for yeast
vaginitis.
-
Broad-spectrum antibiotics
for Diarrhoea or bladder infections : Ciprofloxacin (Cipro), Clarithromycine (Biaxin),
Azithromycine (Zithromax).
-
Tampons - Sanitary napkins
-
Perfume-menthol to mask
odours in toilets.
Travel basics Non
Medical :
-
Wide brimmed Hat
-
Camera - Films
(Lots)
-
Binoculars
-
Converters
-
Alarms
-
Address Book
-
Journal - Pen
-
Bandana
-
Snacks
-
Eye Shades - ear
plugs
-
Portable door
lock
-
Toilet paper
-
Keys
-
Secutiry:
carrier-locks- luggage tags
-
Document
Organizer
-
Small everyday
bag
-
Ziplock bags
-
Main Travel Bag
-
Fanny pack
Predeparture
Checklist:
-
Passport
-
Visa
-
Health
Documentation
-
Tickets
-
Emergency
Information
-
Insurance
-
Hotel
reservations
-
Traveler's
Cheques
-
Credit Cards
-
Cash
-
Copies of
tickets- passport
-
Stop deliveries
-
Hold Mail
-
Arrange pet care
-
Leave house keys
with neighbor
-
Empty fridge
-
Turn down
thermostat
-
Turn off water
-
Lock all doors
-
Reconfirm with
airlines