Thinking of solo travel but not sure where to start? START HERE!
If you're heading out of the city, especially to developing countries, you'll need to take an emergency kit with you. This first aid kit checklist will help you fashion your own first aid pouch, but exactly what you put into it will depend on where you're going - not just what country or continent, but what type of geography you plan to encounter.
Will you be sticking to cities or main roads, where pharmacies are widely available?
Will you be in poor countries or rural areas, where pharmaceuticals might be in short supply or counterfeit?
Are you heading out into the wild, perhaps the Amazon or the Sahara, where you'll be fully responsible for your own health? You won't need the same in Paris as you will in the Congo.
WANT A PRE-MADE FIRST AID KIT? Here's a small travel first aid kit to get you started. For something a little more substantial, consider this kit if you're headed off the beaten path or on an adventure.
The first aid kit checklist below contains what I might take with me when I travel for over a month, on my own, off the beaten path but not on what I would consider an expedition or high adventure travel. It has worked for me for years and I've (fortunately) never needed anything more. (For high adventure, check out these specialist first aid kits from My Medic.)
If you have specific conditions, of course bring along whatever medication and devices you usually use, so I won't list those here. Many of you also use natural oils and products - such as oregano oil or tart cherry extract - so by all means bring those along as well, because they might be harder to find than standard pharmaceuticals. One flight attendant suggests a small bottle of nasal saline spray to use right after your trip to cleanse your nasal passages and help prevent airborne illnesses.
My wonderful readers from Women on the Road contributed to building this list, which is based on individual items we consider important for our health when we travel. I'd like to thank Ann, Annye, Brenda, Carol, Cindy Marie, Colleen, Cristina, Ellen, Fabi, Faith, Gwen, Inna, Isabel, Jana, Jenny, Joan, Jordan, Judy, Linda, Liz, Marlane, Norma, Partha, Roseanne, Sara, Shae, Shellie Anne and Stephanie. Ladies, you rock!
You can buy most of what I've listed on the above first aid kit checklist in a ready-made box or package (see box at the top), but I find that putting together my own makes more sense for me.
The first thing is to find a transparent case of sorts. Often, these are provided free as samples when we buy certain brands of cosmetics. Just make sure it has a zipper that works and that it is TSA or security-compliant.
Separate your items so that they make sense - bandages and cotton together, condoms with tampons and so on. Place each group of items in a simple ziplock bag - these will come in handy while you travel as well.
Do a last check of your medicine cabinet at home. Whatever you stock at home will give you an indication of what you need to take with you. Just because it isn't included in my first aid kit checklist doesn't mean it shouldn't be on yours!
Just make sure you check the expiration dates on your medication, especially if you are traveling for any length of time.
And finally, get travel insurance. I've always used World Nomads, but they only insure you until you're 66, or 70 in some countries. After that, here are more options.
This is one item that isn't optional. Having faced medical emergencies abroad that cost well into the five figures, I've always been grateful I took a few minutes and spent a few dollars that saved me many thousands down the line.
I've left plenty of things off this first aid kit checklist but then, I travel light. If you want to bring more (and you can carry it), go right ahead. Just don't bring less!