Advice: Medical kits for travelling

If travelling in less developed countries, there are a couple of kits it can be very useful to carry in case of minor illness or injury.

[ First aid/medical kit ] [ Sterile set ]

Please note:
Bladed or pointed objects (including needles, tweezers, and scissors) are not permitted in aircraft hand luggage. Always pack such items in hold luggage.

First aid/medical kit
This is probably best put together yourself, as this allows precise tailoring to your needs. If you buy a kit, ensure it has enough room to add your own items. The more off-the-beaten-track you are going, the more dressings, bandages and other first aid items may be useful (but only if you know how to use them!). If you want to keep bulk to a minimum, pack in a heavy duty ziplock freezer bag and remove any unnecessary packaging.

• Selection of sticking plasters and/or sticking plaster strip.

• Micropore tape.

• Anti-septic wipes.

• Compeed (or similar). For prevention and treatment of blisters (if you are going to do a lot of walking or trekking).

• Iodine water purification tablets.

• Imodium (or similar). For relief of diarrhoea.

• ORT (oral rehydration treatment) sachets. Replaces fluid and essential nutrients (salt and sugar) lost when suffering from diarrhoea and vomiting.

• DEET based insect repellent.

• Insect bite cream. To relieve itching and discomfort of insect bites.

• Aspirin, parasetamol or Nurofen.

• Lip salve.

• Any personal medication.

Other items worth considering (if appropriate):

• Anti-malarial tablets (speak to your GP).

• Betadine iodine paint (especially useful in tropical climates). Helps prevent infection of cuts, scratches and grazes.

• Hand cream (for cold/dry environments).

• After sun. For relief of sunburn.

• Multi-vitamins.

• Broad-spectrum antibiotics (speak to your GP).

• Dental first aid kit.

• Needle and tweezers (for removing thorns).

Sterile set
This contains a variety of sterilised and sealed items of equipment, such as syringes, needles and suture materials, and is intended to be handed to a doctor or nurse for use in a medical emergency in a country where the safety of such items cannot be assured. It is best to buy this kind of kit. The following is taken from the DOH website:

A typical kit should contain:

• 2 x 5ml syringes

• 5 x needles (preferably two sizes)

• 1 dental needle

• 1 intravenous cannula

• 1 skin suture with needle

• 1 packet skin closure strips

• 5 alcohol swabs for skin cleansing

• 5cm x 5cm and 10cm x 10cm non-stick dressings

• 1 roll surgical tape

Additional items such as an intravenous-giving set and a blood substitute solution may be advised for journeys to remote areas. Your doctor will be able to provide more information.

Emergency medical travel kits should carry sufficient identification to ensure their acceptance by Customs officials but the contents should not be opened until needed. It is also unwise to carry loose syringes or needles unless you have a doctor’s letter explaining their purpose – if, for example, you are a diabetic.

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