Packing a Custom-Made, First Aid Kit Is Crucial for Any International Travel

Accidents tend to happen when you least expect it. For this reason, it is always crucial to pack a first aid kit when you’re traveling. First aid kits come in handy, especially during international travel where people go to unfamiliar or dangerous places.

Designing a custom-made, first aid kit allows you to create a reliable kit that fits your specific needs. During international travel, you may get injuries and sudden sicknesses that require emergency remedial action. Still, with a first aid box, you can use emergency aid assistance when necessary.

Training Leads to Effective Application of First Aid

Before buying or designing a first aid kit, there are several things that you need to do. You need to learn the importance of first aidand how to perform it on yourself and others.

Training helps to give you the right information on what to do, when, and how. This know-how is useful in selecting which tools to use in a specific setting.

It is, therefore, a good idea to get first aid training from a reputable institution that will equip you with the right knowledge. Your first aid kit won’t make any difference if you don’t know how to use it when an accident happens.

It may seem like no first aid knowledge is required to clean a wound. Still, a foundational understanding of anatomy can help one understand that different injuries require different forms of treatment.

 Nowadays, many online and physical courses teach people first aid. Such courses vary in terms of content as well as price.

They require no experience, and anyone can pursue these courses. There also non-governmental organizations that offer training on the same, such as the Red Cross and the American Heart Association.

In case you want to advance your skills, you can take a course as a first responder or an emergency medical respondent. After the training, you can effectively use first aid to preserve life and treat minor and major injuries.

These certifications are available in the US, and attendees get licenses to practice first aid. But regardless of whether your state recognizes certificates or not, the training will equip you with the necessary information useful in responding to emergencies.

You can also seek emergency response knowledge from your local hospitals, the nearest fire department, or the nearest police officer.

This resource should be a last resort for those who cannot get first aid training anywhere, including in online sites. Some of these departments offer First Aid learning during their community outreach programs.

In case you find that they are not able to train you, they will always direct and advise you accordingly. Most fire stations are always willing to advise and answer the questions of anyone who visit them.

It also makes sense to have a first aid kit so that you can familiarize yourself with its contents and its roles. First aid is a vast topic; you will learn about the different types of injuries and how to respond to each situation.

Having your kit will also help you try your skills on any neighbors or siblings who suffer injuries. It is also a practical way to pass emergency aid assistance knowledge to your friends and family members.

After the training, what follows is procuring the necessary first aid items. Emergency health experts have compiled a list of clinical tools useful in responding to injuries into a box known as the aid kit.

So that means, if you can gather all these tools into one accessible box, you can carry it during your international travels.

Reasons Why You Need a Custom-made First Aid for International Travel

Although you can find ready-made kits within the market, they might come with a wide range of challenges.These challenges usually range from pointless tools, poor quality tools to poor arrangement of the items, which in turn compromises user-friendliness and accessibility.

Again, kits from different manufacturers are for different emergency treatment needs. It can be challenging to find one that will suit all your needs.

Buying different kinds to come up with what you need can be an expensive idea, and may not give you the result you’re aiming to achieve.That’s why the concept of a custom-made, first aid kitmakes sense; you get something customized to deal with your specific set of risks.

There’s no harm in needing a custom-made kit because the types of risks vary, and each requires different equipment to handle it.

 Personalized kits can be more effective if kit-building companies provide the “order your custom-made kit” option. A customer can describe their risk profile, and discuss a list of equipment with the provider to come up with a kit tailored to meet their specific needs.  

But because this is not yet practical, a custom-made, first aid kit is the best option for your emergency response activities.

You Can Use a Risk Profile in Formulating Your Personalized First Aid Kit.

For those of you who want to make their own first-aid kit home, the first thing you need to do is to conceive it in your mind. Think of the needs your kit needs to solve, the people it should help, and the cost of creating it.

Those three elements will ensure you come up with a reasonable and reliable first aid kit that will meet all your requirements.

Although it may be impossible to foresee all the dangers of injury that lie ahead, you can evaluate the incidents that have occurred in the past according to their frequency. 

In this way, you can know what you will need to address in most cases and will, therefore, influence the tools you need to buy.

Ensure that all injuries or sicknesses that are in your family’s history are written down together with their rate of occurrence. List down all current ailments and injuries that you may have.

It also helps to include any fatal medical conditions suffered by any of your family members. It could be a diabetic condition, an allergy, or even high blood pressure condition.

Documenting everything will help you in identifying the incidences thatare most likely to occur.

Include all the risks of injury in all areas that you aim to visit. For example, if you intend to go climbing, you should consider bruises as a probable risk.

After this, rank the risks from 0-5, with the least probable risk being zero and the most probable risk being 5. Start your preparation according to the probability of occurrence, from the mostprobable to the least one.

Sometimes, it might not be possible to foresee all risks; that’s why it is a good idea to start with the most required items. This assessment will help you in identifying what is more critical for your traveling first aid kit box or bag. 

Budgeting is another essential part of formulating a first aid kit. You need to acquire all the necessary components for your first aid bag while still being cost-effective.

To come up with a risk profile, you need to assess all loopholes that may arise in your upcoming international trip.

You might not notice it, but you successfully assess risks daily. Some of our daily activities pose a significant danger in our lives, whether in the workplace orat home.

Risk evaluation puts into consideration all the factors that may affect the normal conducive environment. These factors include:

  • Likelihood of the risk occurring
  • The severity of the occurrence of risk
  • Level of information that aids in reducing, eliminating, and controlling hazards and risks.
  • Types and number of control measures that can help to eliminate, limit, or manage the risk.
  • The expenses that may arise.

The abovefactors will help ensure you assess risks correctly and come up with a kit that can address all your emergency response needs as you travel.

Create a Check List of All the Essential Components within the First Aid Kit.

When designing a first aid kit, there are a few essential items and equipment that you should procure. A robust first aid kit should contain the following essential elements:

  1. Band-Aids: are a prominent item in any kit that you can use to address many injuries. You should keep at least a hand full of the Band-Aids in your first aid box. These include both the knuckle and fingertip Band-Aids. It is a good idea to keep the fabric types because they hold firmly and for a longer time.
  2. Disinfecting Agents: You should also have an alcohol disinfectant for cuts to prevent infections. Cutting materials may have rust or other disease-causing bacteria that may cause infections. The cleaning agent will help in t case you are wounded and cannot access water and soap to use in cleaning the wound.

You will have to keep other items for simple injuries. For instance, antibacterial wipes can work along with the cleaning agent. Antiseptic agents include Hibiclens or hydrogen peroxide, which are some of the best cleaning agents for wounds in both children and grownups.

  • Burn Remedies: You will also have to procure burn treatment items in your emergency kit. Since burns occur anywhere, and unpredictably, it is essential to carry burn remedies as you travel.

Burns remedies act by reducing the burning effect by providing a cooling sensation. You can attain this by wrapping the burn area with sterilized gauze. You can also apply a burn gel, which is available in packets, and you can find them in your nearest pharmacy.

  • Gloves:Latex Surgical gloves serve to protect the user and the victim from the contamination of bacteria, fungi, and even viruses. These pathogens may spread from either of the individuals. The surgical gloves help in tearing away excess clothing on the victim.

Gloves also help helps in preventing physical contact with other people’s body fluids such as blood or saliva that may lead to an infection. 

Blood-borne pathogenscan easily be transmittedif you get into contact with an infected person’s body fluids. Gloves also cover your hands and keep them clean as you conduct first aid.

A robust kit should also include several advanced first aid tools that include: torso seals, triangular dressings, Trauma dressings, AEDs, and surgical scissors.

  • Torso seals are used to cover any perforations on the torso area that may occur as a result of a puncture or stabbing. Torso seals serve to preserve life by preventing excessive blood loss from torso injuries.
  • The availability of triangular bandages in your kit will prove to be beneficial. These can be useful when using a band to treat a broken collar bone or an arm temporarily.  They will also be helpful in applying pressure in the case of continuous bleeding.
  • Trauma dressings are used as a form of compression treatment to reduce blood loss. These are applied mostly on ruptured blood vessels that are not within the limbs.
  • An automated external defibrillator is another essential device that should be in a custom-made, first aid kit. In recent years there has been an upsurge in incidents of cardiac arrest. Cardiac arrest occurs as a result of a particular condition called arrhythmias.  It is whereby there is an irregular heartbeat due to an improper electrical signals.The work of the automated external defibrillator is to send a corrective shock to the heart to restore the normal heart rhythm. This device is an essential part of any first aid box.
  • Finally, a tourniquet is a life-saving device that people should carry as they travel around the globe. The type of tourniquet within a first aid kit is called an emergency tourniquet. Its primary purpose is to apply force to a limb to reduce and prevent severe blood loss as the victim waits to receive appropriate medical care.

8 Safety Tips to Remember as You Travel the World.

Even as you prepare your custom-made, first aid kit for your international trip, remember that prevention is better than cure. It is better to avoid injury and unnecessary exposure to danger and perils. Here are eight top tips to remember as you tour the globe:

  1. Abideby Ageand Weight Restrictions.

Age and weight restrictions are there for a reason, and they vary from country to country. Certain activities such as sky diving contain a high risk of injury and hence have restrictions. When undertaking outdoor and indoor activities, ensure you comply with the set standards.

Always make sure you follow the set restrictions, breaking the rules may lead to injury and even loss of life. Just remember risking your health or life is never worth it.

  • Multi-floor Hotels Offer Better Security.

When you are traveling to a foreign country, your priority is finding a suitable place to stay. Most people opt to book a hotel or motel when they travel internationally. Location and security play a critical role when a person is choosing the hotel they want to book.

In general, hotels that have a multi-floor structure offer more security than single-floor hotels and motels. Multi-floor hotels provide advanced security features such as CCTV surveillance. It is always important to ensure that you and your luggage are safe as you tour a foreign country.

It is simply impossible for someone to climb into your hotel room if you are in a multi-storey hotel. Any visitor must pass through the lobby before they can access the hotel rooms. 

  • Always Be On the Alert.

Vacation time is for unwinding, but remember you are in a place you may not know well.Always ensure that you stay on guard as you visit various sites.Some areas within the world are notorious for crime, especially towards non-resident individuals.

You may lose your money as well as possessions if you are not on guard. Always ensure you carry or see your bags at all times. Do not leave your belongings in an unsecured location.If you notice any suspicious activities around you, make sure to report them to the relevant authorities.

Finally, always be aware of your surroundings. Try to remember critical landmarks within an area in case you get lost. Make an effort to remember emergency numbers such as the ones for police and paramedics.

  • Carry AMini First Aid Box.

If you are traveling in a hurry or don’t have enough storage space, then a mini first aid box is the best emergency assistance tool for you. Such a kit should contain essential emergency tools and equipment such as bandages, hydrogen peroxide, gloves, and painkillers.

  • Create and Carry Copies of Crucial Personal Documents.

Creating a backup of your documents is always advisable before any international trip. You can scan your identification cards and driver’s license and convert them to a hard copy on paper.

You can also save the scanned documents on a computer or cloud platform. Backing up your documents helps to ensure that you have some form of identification if you lose all your possessions.

Creating a copy of your documents allows for a faster replacement of any lost documents. You simply need to call the service toll number and get help quickly.

  • Beware of Food, Water, And Airborne Pathogens.

Diarrhea and vomiting cause significant health problems on most internationaljourneys. You should be wary of eating cooked foodstuffs. Undercooked food may contain pathogens such an E.coli that may result in stomach issues.

Always ensure you wash all fruits thoroughly with running water. Ensure that you always wash your hands with soap and water before eating any meal.

Waterborne pathogens affect people when they ingest or use contaminated water. Generally, avoid drinking unboiled or untreated water. If you can, buy bottled water throughout the international trip.

Airborne pathogens, such as the coronavirus, spread as moisture droplets in the air and environment. During a breakout of airborne pathogens, minimize international travel as much as possible. If you travel to affected areas, ensure you follow the WHO guidelines on protecting yourself.

  • Keep Interactions with Animals at a Bare Minimum.

When traveling to various destinations in the world, you should be wary of animal interactions. Animals, whether domesticated or wild, can cause serious bodily harm to humans. You can also get severe infections and diseases when you interact with animals.

To be on the safe side, keep animal interactions at a bare minimum. Only interact with them in a controlled setting where you know you are safe.

  • Know Your Travel Limits.

People like to be adventurous when it comes to exploring new destinations. As you travel around the world, ensure that you do not venture into places that put your health and life at risk. Avoid visiting dangerous locations, even if they are appealing.

It is also not advisable to travel to areas that contain life-threatening conditions such as areas with high or low temperatures and atmospheric pressure. Plan a travel schedule that includes areas that do not pose an immediate to your wellbeing.

In Closing

First aid kits are a must-carry for any international travel. Emergency kits can help you preserve life by providing the crucial first aid that prevents tissue and organ damage. First aid lessons allow individuals to gain expertise in emergency care.

First aid lessons emphasize that time is a crucial factor when it comes to emergencies, as discussed earlier. The faster a victim receives emergency aid, the higher the chances of survival as well as recovery.

Undergoing first aid training can never have any downside for global travelers. This is because, as they tour the world, they are bound to encounter life-threating scenarios.

After creating a first aid kit for international travel, there is so much more to do.You may need to add additional features to your existing emergency kit so that it meets your needs and requirements.