- Consider the following when planning:
— Medical expertise of the intended user
— Special environmental considerations
— Length of trip
— Distance from hospital
— Availability of rescue
— Number of people traveling
— Pre-existing illness
— Weight and space limitations
— Base camp
- Container:
— Choose an easily recognizable container if more than one person is using it, e.g. red or orange container
— Label it as the "Medical Kit" and or place a cross on it. The cross is a universal medical symbol use it!
— Choose a water-proof container for wet conditions
— Place items (e.g. Band-aids or Tylenol) into separate clear ziplock bags
— items are organized and easy to identify
— they are also water-proof
— Do not make the kit too big or bulky
— you can't bring it all
— be smart when choosing what items to bring
— big, bulky kits are often left behind
— A personal medical kit can fit into a single ziplock bag if necessary
**A medical kit in your car containing everything for every possible emergency is useless when you are a 50 miles down the trail
- Medications:
— Tylenol/Motrin: fever, muscle aches, minor pain
— Sudafed/Actifed: runny nose, congestion
— Benadryl: allergies, itchy rash
— Dramamine: motion sickness
— Cortizone: insect bites, itchy rash, poison oak
— Lotrimin: fungal infection, e.g. athlete's foot
— Sunscreen (SPF 15): sun protection
— Lip balm (SPF 15): lip protection
— DEET 30% (adults): prevents insect bites
— DEET 10% (children): prevents insect bites
— Mylanta: stomach upset
— Imodium: diarrhea
— Rehydralyte, Oralyte, Sport drinks: for dehydration
— Glucose paste: for low blood sugar/insulin shock
— Epi-pen: bee allergy (available by prescription)
— Personal medications: insulin, asthma inhalers . . .
- Equipment:
— Wound care and bandage material (a store bought First Aid kit will contain this material
)
— Bandage scissors
— Splinting material
— Tweezers
— CPR mask
— Medical gloves
— Notebook and writing utensil
— Emergency dental kit
— Duct tape: it has many uses
— Communication: cell phone, radio. . .
— First aid book
- Special environment considerations:
Altitude Illness
— Tylenol: for headache of acute mountain sickness (AMS)
— Compazine : for nausea associated with AMS
— Oxygen: for treatment of all altitude sickness
— Acetazolamide: prevention and treatment of AMS
— Nifedipine: for high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE)
— Dexamethasone: AMS/high altitude cerebral edema (RACE)
— Furosemide: used cautiously when treating HAPE or HACE
— Gamow Bag: simulates low altitude, used for HAPE/RACE
— Definitive treatment is descent!
Heat Illness
— Extended temperature range thermometer
— IV supplies and IV fluids
— Chemical ice packs
Snowblindness
— Opthalmic anesthetic e.g. proparacaine
— Fluorescein stain
— Cycloplegic agent e.g. cyclogel
— Opthalmic antibiotic ointment or drops
— Spare sunglasses with side shields or goggles
— Narcotics (e.g. Vicodin) to treat pain
— Eye patches
Marine envenomation e.g. box jellyfish
— Vinegar: pour on nematocysts to "fix" them after washing with sea water
— Urine also works and is used by Hawaiian natives
— Talcum powder or shaving cream: cover nematocysts after fixing with vinegar
— Knife: scrape off nematocysts
— Steroid cream: to apply to skin after nematocysts are removed
— Narcotics (e.g. Vicodin) : to treat pain
Tropical or third world travel
—Malaria pills, diarrhea medication...
**Remember: Tailor your medical kit for your group's size and needs
***Consult your doctor or a travel doctor when planning your trip
