✈️ Building a Basic First aid kit

*Disclaimer: this post contains an affiliate link, clicking it may result in a small commission for me. All reviews are my own honest opinion.*

This post will discuss:

Why you should even consider a first aid kit for travelling
What basics I travel with

Why even bother with this

If you are traveling solo or if you like outdoor activities when you travel, a basic first aid kit might be necessary.

If you scratch your knee or get a cut, sure you can tough it out if that’s part of your principles, but maybe you don’t want to leave blood stains all over your documents or your clothes, unless that’s the look you’re going for.

Of course, the problem is really if you go hiking or go off the beaten path activities and get lost, alone, or get a deep cut, or a dislocated elbow, or a broken arm, or even just a really mean headache. And maybe you have allergies?

My personal basics

Here are some items I pack and have tested a couple times during my travels. Drug stores or Amazon sell kits, but feel free to get a pouch and build your own with my suggestions and depending on your needs :

For general health conditions

*This one depends on your own health condition(s). Make sure you bring enough or can obtain the medicine you need during your travels. You should talk to your doctor(s) to get help on this matter.*

An epipen
An asthma pump
Your necessary recurrent medicine
Etc.

For mild sickness

⟹ Certain pills and remedies that are common place in your country might not be available where you go. And even if you find it, it might be more expensive or over the counter (Tylenol is over the counter in China, you need a Chinese ID to get some ಠ_ಠ and antibiotics are liberally given). And though they might have equivalents, they might not be as effective or tasty.

Some Tylenol or ibuprofen (helps with headaches, muscle pain, mild fever…)
A few packs of Neocitran style sleeping powders for the cold (these are real lifesavers when you get sick and want a good night sleep to recover)
Loperamide (to stop diarrhea 💩)
A small container of Tiger Balm or Vick’s Vapor Rub

For small injuries

Alcohol swabs
Iodine cotton swabs (you snap them and they release their content onto the cotton ends)
Band aids, a wide array of sizes (for cuts and blisters)
A pair of good tweezers (for those nasty rocks/wood shards/glass shards)
Medical tape
Small scissors (for that tape)

For more serious injuries

A triangular bandage
A ribbon bandage
An antibiotic ointment (I recommend asking at your local drug store)
A blood clotting powder (these are super effective)
- I couldn’t find my brand, here is a good alternative to give you an idea

In case of losing your path

A whistle
A tiny compass (maybe the dollar store one is not the best, but …)
- Alternatively, you may use a thread and needle (magnetized with a cloth or magnet → Yes, I carry one in my sewing kit at all times, I am very preventive)

Bonus

A mini sewing kit: include a needle, some thread, a button, and safety pins
- → Muji makes the best compact, travel friendly kit. I’ve had mine since 2014.

Questions / Comments 😄💬 Let’s chat

☞ What’s your best take away from this post?

☞ Have you ever needed a first aid kit?

☞ What’s an item that could be added?

The ESL Teacher C · Nomad Educator