First Aid Kits: What you need and why

The great Center for Disease Control (CDC), has much more knowledge than I could amass in a lifetime on the topic of international first aid. Here’s why they say you need a first aid kit:

“The purpose of packing a travel health kit is to ensure travelers have supplies they need to—

- manage pre-existing medical conditions and treat any exacerbations of these conditions,
- prevent illness related to traveling, and
- take care of minor health problems as they occur. ¹”

Now that you know why you need a first aid kit, consider what type and quantity of supplies you will need. The list below is intended for people traveling long term and who have little or no access to medical care. If you’re backpacking through European cities, you could get away with substantially less. If you’re taking a 4x4 though the Darien gap, you’ll likely need everything in triplicate.

Here are few reminders, then we’ll get into the full lists: Read More...