Not all heroes wear capes or work in hospitals. For example, consider paramedics and paramedics. They work everywhere from sporting events to shopping centers, and while they may not have all the tools and machines at their disposal that doctors do, they can do a lot to save lives with a little effort. can. what’s their secret? Behind every great first responder is a well-equipped kit.
Similarly, all travelers can benefit from carrying some medical supplies in their carry-on or in their car. Sure, it can be hard to justify allocating space to items you might never use (and hopefully they’ll never be necessary). But just like you wouldn’t cruise without a life jacket or board a plane without an oxygen mask, you shouldn’t travel without the essentials that make your time away from home more comfortable and can be the difference between life and death. .
If it sounds dramatic, call an ambulance. They’ve seen it all, from adults bleeding to kids getting hives. If the idea of building your own mini paramedic kit for travel seems daunting, don’t worry. travel and leisure Recently, I spoke with several paramedics and medical professionals. Here are 12 of his products I recommend stocking up on for your next trip on Amazon. All available from Amazon for just $4.
holy pill organizer
Amazon
Forget the kit for a second. First and foremost is Mark Brown, Paramedic, President and Chief Operating Officer. NDP EMS, says it’s important to remember prescriptions. “It can be difficult to replace medicines left at home,” Brown told T+L. Additionally, it’s a good idea to have extra pills in case your trip is delayed.
This best selling pill organizer With nearly 11,000 5-star reviews on Amazon, it’s a great tool for packing pills individually when you don’t want to carry the whole bottle around. It has 8 compartments and comes with pre-made blank adhesive labels so you know exactly which pills are in each compartment.
wrote “This met my needs and exceeded my expectations.” 1 shopper I decided to try this pill organizer after being recommended by a flight attendant. Of course you don’t have to use it on prescription. It is also ideal for storing vitamins, over-the-counter medicines, spare earrings, etc.
tweezers master tweezers
Amazon
His father, Mr. Brown, who loves train travel, never goes anywhere without his tweezers. “They are useful for a lot of things, but especially against infested mites,” he explains.these stainless steel tweezers master tweezersis currently 50% off, has over 41,400 5-star ratings, and offers plenty of sharpness for even the most stubborn ingrown hairs. Also available in 10 fun colors. A travel case is not included, but a protective tip cover is included to keep the tip sharp during transport.
Of course, these tweezers aren’t just effective against blood suckers and curly eyebrows. shopper People who work well with wood leave reviews like this: “If you’re looking for a pair of tweezers that can remove most debris from your skin, look no further.”
Smart Healthy Instant Cold Pack
Amazon
Ice is great, but it’s not always easy to travel with, and it can be hard to find, especially if you’re traveling to a remote location. That’s why Brown recommends keeping one or two disposable instant ice packs in his bag. “It’s great for relieving minor pain from headaches and falls,” he says.
these Smart Healthy Instant Cold Pack With over 2,700 5-star reviews, it doesn’t require refrigeration. To activate, simply squeeze the bag inside until it pops. Then shake the puck. Within seconds, it will be cool to the touch and ready to treat your injury.
“My son has tendinitis and was on a trip with a lot of walking,” she wrote. single parent With a 5 star review. “The ice pack was great for him to use at night to relieve the pain.”
Band-Aid brand flexible fabric bandage
Amazon
Meanwhile, Ken Martin, a paramedic and assistant director of operations at the hospital, said: NDP EMS I believe that a little Band-Aid can make a big difference. “They work wonders for little kids who are upset by small bruises and bruises,” he says. Of course, he also likes it because it protects the wound from infection.These specific band aid adhesive plaster It has nearly 40,000 5-star ratings, with an average rating of 4.8 stars. they again, #1 Amazon bestseller. (Adhesive bandages are also available in convenient travel packs, but it’s much cheaper to buy them in bulk.)
“It won’t fray or fall apart even if you wash your hands!” one shopper wrote: They called them “Armor Knights of the First Aid Kingdom”. In addition to its durability, it is made from a highly flexible fabric that will not come off even in difficult areas such as joints and knees.
Wet Ones Antibacterial Hand Wipes
Amazon
According to Lt. Tina Geiler of the Miami-Dade Fire Department, there are few excuses for poor hand hygiene while traveling. She has been an EMT for 24 years, triple f foundationThe nonprofit supporting women first responders recommends hand wipes in all travel packs.
There are many options, but these Wet Ones Antibacterial Hand Wipes Kills 99.9 percent of bacteria and germs and has over 13,800 5-star ratings. In fact, it’s so popular that more than 10,000 units were sold last month alone. For $19, you get 20 travel-sized packs of 10 wipes. Each pack has Wet Ones’ signature Wetlock seal, so it won’t dry out even if left in a hot car.
And unlike hand sanitizer, Wet One is always TSA compliant and can be used for multiple purposes.Please take it out from this smart shopper: “I use it to wipe down surfaces on planes while traveling, to wipe the handles of grocery carts before shopping, and to hold pumps at gas stations.”
LuxoGear emergency whistle
Amazon
If you think umpires and lifeguards are the only ones who need whistles, think again. “Using your voice to call for help in an emergency can drain your energy faster and reduce your chances of survival,” said Gavin Dawson, a physician assistant at the hospital. emergency medical workers around the world To tell travel and leisure. That’s why he always travels with an emergency whistle.these LuxoGear emergency whistle It has over 5,100 5-star ratings and is loud enough to be heard from more than a mile away.
single traveler After getting separated from the group in Zion National Park, those who left five-star reviews called the LuxoGear emergency whistle a “life saver.” Luckily, they were able to reunite with their comrades who also carried the whistle, and were able to blow the whistle back and share their positions. Of course, these whistles also help ward off predators.
Nuun Sports Electrolyte Tablet
Amazon
Staying hydrated on the go can be difficult. That’s why former HCPC paramedic Katie McCann recommends traveling with electrolyte tablets. It contains ingredients such as sodium, magnesium, calcium, and potassium, which promote hydration in the body. “It’s especially helpful in hot weather or after exercise,” she says.these Nuun Sports Electrolyte Tablet It boasts over 28,400 5-star ratings and ranks #5 on Amazon’s list. Best selling sports nutritional supplements ranking. These come in 4-packs and each TSA-friendly (and pocket-friendly) tube contains 10 tablets.
“I’m a flight attendant on an international flight and I use this to maximize my hydration,” she wrote. 1 shopper Noon is so delicious that it is recommended to drink more water. This vegan-friendly, stevia-sweetened tablet comes in flavors like Tropical, Strawberry Lemonade, and Fruit Punch.
Swiss Safe 2-in-1 First Aid Kit
Amazon
McCann never leaves the house without her either Swiss Safe 2-in-1 First Aid Kit. “It’s compact and has what you need to treat minor injuries.” There are many first aid kits out there, but this particular kit has 9,400 5-star reviews. , Best seller on Amazon. You get two kits for the price of one, making it perfect for travelers. The larger kit includes 120 medical-grade items, including disinfectant wipes, trauma scissors, blister reduction pads, and a sewing kit, perfect for road trips. Meanwhile, a mini kit with an additional 32 items, including first aid tape, CPR mask, and sting mitigation pads, fits easily into your bag.
One traveler’s review “It has everything you would expect from a travel first aid kit, and it’s neatly organized so it’s not a puzzle to put back together.”
Neosporin original antibiotic ointment
Amazon
She’s not a paramedic, but Dr. Edna Skoplyakis a doctor and knows that every first responder’s kit and traveler’s bag should have antibiotic ointment. “Ensuring wound healing without complications is essential,” says Dr. Skoplyak.her taste Neosporin original antibiotic ointment. With an average rating of 4.8 stars out of over 53,000 reviews, it ranks #1 on Amazon’s Best Sellers list. Best sellers in first aid ointments. When you use Neosporin on cuts, scrapes, and burns, you can rest assured that it will protect you from infections for 24 hours. Antibiotic ointments also help wounds heal faster, reducing the risk of scarring.
This tube holds just 1 ounce and is TSA compatible. “This was perfect for her daughter’s trip to Europe and kept a nasty bite from becoming infected during her stay,” she recalled. 1 shopper.
Benadryl Allergy Ultra TAB 100
Amazon
Keene Christensen, a paramedic in Montana, is one of several medical experts who say it’s wise to always have antihistamines on hand. “Benadryl is the gold standard,” said Christensen, an avid camper and father of his three children. “It can treat many allergic reactions, whether caused by plants, food, insect bites, etc.” Available in gel capsules and liquid, these easy-to-swallow tablets have an average rating out of over 42,400 ratings on Amazon. It has an impressive 4.8 star rating and is intended for ages 6 and up.
What are other uses for Benadryl? The active ingredient is diphenhydramine hydrochloride, so it can also be used as a useful sleep aid when crossing time zones (ask your doctor first about dosage). “Ideal for long-term airplane trips” is the title of the 5-star review.
quick clot gauze
Amazon
Matt Strain, a Billings-based firefighter and first responder, said ideally everyone would have a tourniquet in their bag. “When used properly, it controls bleeding.” Still, he notes, it’s often more practical to travel with combat gauze, which can help slow heavy bleeding.Amazon bestseller quick clot gauze Recommended by doctors, law enforcement and the military. These travel-friendly patches contain kaolin, a mineral that promotes the body’s natural clotting, so you’ll notice that bleeding stops up to five times faster.
On Amazon, the QuikClot Gauze has over 6,700 five-star reviews and is so popular that over 4,000 were sold in the last month alone. 1 review As one traveler said: “My husband was on several blood thinners and this was something I should have in my travel first aid kit. It helped me when he had a fall or a scrape. It has saved my life many times.”
ACE 3 inch elastic bandage with clip
Amazon
4,000 or more ACE 3 inch elastic bandage with clip It was also sold last month. Personally, Strain is a big fan of his ACE bandages. The reason is that it is very versatile. “ACE bandages are incredibly lightweight and yet can be used to provide support and reduce swelling in the event of muscle or joint injury,” he explains. At Amazon ACE 3 inch elastic bandage with clip With over 1,600 5-star ratings. It’s a best-seller because it has an innovative, easy-to-use hook that secures the bandage in place.
1 satisfied shopper “They hit the nail in the head with the elastic hooks. I hate the old-fashioned clip hooks, but I knew that, so I went with them. These new hooks are the best!”
do you like it so much? Sign up for the T+L Recommends newsletter and have your favorite travel products delivered to you every week.