So, I thought that I’d answer the question, “What do I keep in my first aid kit?” The short answer is it depends. If we’re going on a road trip through tough country then my kit is a lot more extensive, than I carry for a 3-day city break.

I have been traveling as often as possible over the last 20 years. And in my normal day job I work in emergency services, as a mine site medic. I am comfortable around a first aid kit, and I know the things that get used most, and what hardly gets looked at.

So, let’s have a look at a typical first aid kit. Something suitable for an overseas holiday to reasonably well-developed countries.

Why Should I Carry A First Aid Kit?

Well, for a start, I don’t know anyone who suddenly developed symptoms, when they were standing outside a pharmacy. Normally, it happens in the most inconvenient places, or outside business hours.

Also, language may be a factor as well. Trying to explain your symptoms to someone with no grasp of your language can be extremely dangerous.

Our son went on a trip to Bali a few years back and had a headache. He went to the shop to get some paracetamol and they seemed to understand. What they sold him had no English writing on the box and they indicated that he should take 2.

He took 2 immediately and started walking back to his hotel, but quickly became drowsy. Fortunately, a kind local stopped and helped him back to his hotel.

A Google translation of the box revealed that he had been given an opium-based painkiller instead, which was a lot more powerful than he needed.

The other consideration is that you may have allergies or contra-indications for some medications that are sold in other countries. It’s much safer to carry some basic medications that you know and trust.

What Will I Treat?

In this scenario, we’re not looking at trauma based first aid, although, you’d be surprised at what can be achieved with a few basic supplies.

No, in this case we are looking at basic aches and pains, blisters, stomach upsets and insect troubles.

These are the sorts of things that anyone can treat without having to undertake a first aid course.

That said however, a basic first aid is a great investment for anyone. It’s the sort of thing that really should be taught in schools. These courses will give you a process to approach any first aid scenario and will give you a lot of confidence.

Store Bought Or Homemade?

This probably depends on you. For a lot of people, a small store bought first aid kit will probably suffice. Just have a look at the list below and add a couple of pieces, which generally aren’t included.

For me, I always make my own kit up. I can get most of the contents from the supermarket. But there are 1 or 2 that need to come from the pharmacy.

As for what to put it in, I just use a clear plastic container. Think of the kind of container that you would seal leftovers in, to put in the fridge. Something around the 1 litre (1 quart) size. These containers provide good protection for the contents.

Dry Goods

Fixamul

This is the go-to for blisters. Specifically, when they are just starting to form. This forms a protective cover to stop the abrasion and works much better than Band-Aids.

You buy it by the roll, then just cut off a section as you need it. I just cut a piece off the roll and have it in the kit, then cut pieces off that as needed.

Gauze dressing

Either used as a dressing, or with water or normal saline to clean up a small wound.

Bandage

The bandage you get in a pre-packaged first aid kit is likely to be very small. Get yourself a 5cm (2 inch) or 10cm (4 inch) bandage instead. You will find it much more useful.

Band-Aids

A few assorted Band-Aids to cover minor cuts and scratches.

Sterile Dressing

These are just a bit bigger than Band-Aids. Probably about 5cm x 5 cm (2inch). This will cover anything a bit more significant.

If the cut is too big for this, then it’s time to go and get more help. And, unless you’re very up to date, also a Tetanus injection.

Steri-Strips

These are one step down from stitches. If you get a cut which isn’t too big, but the edges of the cut need to be pulled together to seal, then these are what you need.

If you have a cut that is 2.5cm (1 inch) or longer, then these will work to hold the edges together, but at that size I would still be looking for further help.

Scissors

A decent set of blunt nosed scissors. Stay away from the pointy noised scissors as they may get confiscated if you must go through security. The scissors in the picture are called trauma shears, and they are very versatile. They get used by most medical centres, and are robust enough to use in the field.

If you would like to check out these shears, click here. This link will take you to an Amazon site for the shears. If you do decide to purchase them, then a small commission comes to me at no cost to you.

Tweezers

Don’t but cheap tweezers. The points won’t meet properly, and they will give you nothing but frustration. Tweezers are not that expensive anyway, so spend a little extra and find a set that work well.

Medications

Paracetamol

What I’m looking at here is basic pain relief for headaches and fever. Here in Australia, Panadol tends to be the most popular, however there are generic versions that still have the same active ingredient. Use whatever you would normally use at home.

Ibuprofen

These are also pain relief but tend to be better for soft tissue injuries. They also work as an anti-inflammatory. Again, select the brand that you are already familiar with.

Antacid

Something for when the food disagrees with you. We use Mylanta, Rennies or quick eze. They all seem to work the same way.

Antihistamine

If you suffer with allergic reactions to plants or insect bites. Maybe some seasonal hay fever. An over-the-counter antihistamine should work well. Be sure to understand if it will cause drowsiness, as that could affect your ability to drive.

If you have a more serious allergy, then you will no doubt carry your own Epi-Pen.

Travel sickness medication

We tend to have ferries in our travels, so we use travel calm. It works well for us and doesn’t cause drowsiness. There are several different medications like this.

Anti-inflammatory gel

We use Voltaren gel for aching joints. Ideally you would rest the joint, but sometimes on holiday we just push through to see everything we want to see. So the gel helps get us through.

Stop Itch

Stingose is our go to. It comes in either a pump spray or tube of gel. There are many variants of this. A few insect bites can really drive you mad. So, apply early to stop the itch.

Heat Rub

This is the Deep Heat, Dencorub and Metsal section. We like all of these. But, for traveling we use Tiger Balm. It does the same job but it comes in a tiny jar that packs better.

Normal Saline

This is for cleaning wounds or flushing eyes. Normal tap water maybe alright, but you never know so we stick to normal saline. It comes in small 30ml tubes, which are handy to use.

Take It With You

Now this may seem obvious, but there’s no point leaving the kit in your hotel room, if you’re out sightseeing, or on a tour. If you get a blister starting, you don’t want to be walking with it for the next 4-5 hours and making it worse.

Get used to having the kit in your day pack and taking it out every day. If there’s a few of you in the group, then take turns with it.

A Word Of Caution

Medications that may be commonplace in your country, may be illegal in another. Do your research before you leave, to make sure that everything you’re carrying is acceptable for your destination.

So that’s it. That’s what I carry in my first aid kit. It has enough stuff in it to sort out most of the obvious problems that I expect to come across while on holiday. Anything more serious and I’m looking for medical assistance.

Naturally we always have travel insurance for every holiday. That’s non-negotiable.

Hopefully this post helps you decide how you’d like to setup your kit. As always, my way may not be your way, but, you may have just picked up a few extra bits that you hadn’t thought of.

If you found this helpful, then you might also like these posts.

What should I put in my carry on bag?

16 Tips to stay healthy while traveling

Checklist for traveling overseas

Cheers and happy travels