Gabriele Steindl: Professional Kitesurfer & Freelance Writer - Action, Lifestyle & Travels
28
Jul 08
Travel tip: PACKING (part 2) TRAVEL PHARMACY
Absolutely essential in your travel pharmacy (medical kit) are:
– individually necessary drugs for chronic illnesses or allergies etc., however, also e.g.: cleansing liquid for contact lens bearers, etc.
– strong antiseptic: an absolute must!
– dressing material to treat wounds, cuts, etc.: plasters, sterile gauzes, elastic bandages, mediswabs, surgical tape, wound dressings, scicors etc. important: liquid bandaid! Also try to get some of the above in the water-proof version! And NEVER forget a whole load of duck tape (the most resiliant protection for the water!!). In extremely remote places sterile needles and a medical sewing kit can really come in handy. Same accounts for ‘strips’ in order to adhere a wound rather than stitching it up!
– wound, antiseptic cream to treat burns and cuts.
– vesicant ointment: that’s ‘the sh§$’ guys, absolutely imperative in order to treat unwanted encounters with corals, sea urchins, etc. and in many countries not available; don’t forget the tweezers !!!
– analgetics and antipyretics contra fever and pain.
– antihistaminikum for allergic reactions.
– medication for nausea and vomiting as well as for diarrhea. Also: electrolyte powder (substitute of water and salts which the body has lost).
– anti-inflammatory drugs and sport-gels: to treat bruises and swelling.
– ear drops and ideally some quality ear-plugs for the water.
– eye drops: dust, wind or sunlight cause on travelling often conjunctivitis.
– throat lozenges.
– mosquito repellent and at some destinations: mosquito net (!!) the only way of drifting off into sweet dreams!
– broad-spectrum antibiotic: if discomfort of the above discomfort becomes too violent. Antibiotics are only available on prescription and should be taken only if it is absolutely necessary, nevertheless it’s recommandable to carry some (a product of a known phrama-company) for acute cases and when there’s no doctor or hospital around.
– malaria-prophylaxe/malaria tablets: for most malarial territories it is sufficient to bring drugs just for emergency cases.
– do not forget to check on and get recommended vaccinations! For many countries protective inoculations are recommended. Because some vaccinations, as for example hepatitis A must be carried out several times, make sure you inform yourself well ahead of your trip at the tropical institute or hospital.
A valuable tip with regards to the volume and weight of your medical travel kit: simply take everything out of its original packaging. Instructions can easily be fixed with an elastic band or tape right onto the drug itself.
Last but certainly not least: please ensure you are covered by your MEDICAL INSURANCE whilst being abroad. If not, please do yourself a favor and take out a special travel insurance! Medical costs abroad can be horrendous if you have to pay for them yourself, thus ensure that you’re covered for local treatment as well as return transport in case of heavy illness or accident. Perhaps travel insurance goes without saying for you, unfortunately not for everybody… Over the years I already had to observe several kite-accidents or sudden, acute diseases, where the ‘victim’ was no properly covered by an insurance, turning a fun-trip into a pure nightmare. Hospitals are expensive and if one must pay them from ones own pocket the price of a treatment will be a serious multiple of the costs for the ticket, the trip and a decent travel insurance.
Please check out more of my travel tips on PACKING – part 1 on general packing issues, part 3 on spareparts & equipment as well as the intro and my thoughts on travel in general !
Safe & happy travels guys … and send me a mail, I L O V E to hear about your adventures !!!
Yours Gabi