DIY first aid kit for the road - Gadling

Travel Safely: Create your own DIY first aid kit for the road - Gadling

This is an awesome list. I'm posting in full as a permanent reference. I plan to put some kits together and have them as gifts for friends/family and 'thank you' gifts for people that help me out.

The center of the kit is the person's home medications. If somebody is taking regular medication at their house, they should, of course, continue to do so while traveling. An important thing to remember is to bring enough medication for the length of the trip, and spare for those unexpected layovers, cancellations, storms, or finding that perfect spot and staying an extra week. A spare set of eyeglasses and copies of all home medication prescriptions is also a good idea.

This kit is made to be packed into a polycarbonate water bottle, which provides a crush proof and watertight container. You can also drink out of it, too.

1. Tylenol/Paracetamol (pain and fever reduction)
2. Ibuprofen (pain and fever reducer, anti-inflammatory)
3. Antihistamine (allergies, sleep aid)
4. Pseudoephedrine (nasal decongestant, helps with "ear pop" from planes)
5. Loperamide (anti-diarrheal)
6. Multi-tool (Macgyver always had his)
7. Safety pins (quick fix for clothing, making an arm sling, emergency cloth)
8. Sun screen (SPF 15 minimum, small bottle)
9. Bandanna (sling for arm, dust mask,
10. Antiseptic towelettes (cleaning hands and wounds)
11. Electrolyte packets (for replacing loss due to vomiting or diarrhea)
12. Matches (light source, fires)
13. Tweezers (removing ticks, thorns, cactus, sea urchins, etc)
14. Mole skin (blisters on the feet)
15. Band aids (minor cuts and scrapes)
16. Gauze roll (minor cuts and scrapes)
17. Antibiotic ointment (minor cuts and scrapes)
18. Portable flashlight (looking into mouths, dark rooms)
19. Thermometer (is that really a fever, how high)
20. Latex gloves (protect yourself first)
21. 4 x 4 gauze pads (minor cuts and scrapes)
22. Hand sanitizer (dirty hands mean infected cuts)

Technorati Tags: household,travel,safety,auto