Best first aid kit for travel abroad

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Finding the best first aid kit for travel abroad should be high up on your packing list and it makes such a sound investment. You can never be too safe and it doesn’t break the bank either, so finding a first aid kit with all the essentials will keep you out of harm’s way on your next holiday.

In this post we will help you find you the best first aid kit for travel abroad, whether your backpacking, hiking, road tripping or on a family holiday.

Your first aid kit should provide all the essentials be portable and lightweight, unless you intend on trekking up Mount Everest or the Himalayas, then you should consider the larger first aid kits! However don’t allow your first aid kit to get out of control.

If you are looking for the best first aid kit for travel abroad then we have done all the hard work for you and compiled a list below. Simply click on the product for more information and to check prices below:

If you are still unsure of what is the best first aid kit for travel abroad is then check out our detailed first aid kit reviews below. We have selected the best first aid kits for any situation from road trip, compact travel to trekking the Himalayas. Click on the links below for more information.

There will come a time on holiday when you wish you had bought a first aid kit for traveling. When you go on holiday you always hear stories about people getting injured when on tours or excursions and didn’t have a first aid kit. Here are 10 great reasons why you need a first aid kit on holiday / traveling:

1. Peace of mind: Having a first aid kit handy is never a bad idea, you are always prepared if something did happen and being able to do the right thing for both yourself and also for others who may need help.
2. Fast response: When time is of the essence having a first aid kit ready can mean the difference between life and death in some cases. Allowing the injured person to get immediate help until further assistance arrives.
3. Kids will be kids: You can always rely on kids falling over and getting hurt on holiday, from cuts and grazes to burns. So when traveling with kids it’s always good to carry a first aid kit with you.
4. Help others: If you go the holiday injury free, then you never know you might be able to help someone else. Again better safe than sorry.
5. Stop the bleeding: If the injury involves heavy blood loss, you don’t have a lot of time to stop the bleeding, every second counts. So carrying a first aid kit with bandages will provide that extra time you need to seek further help.
6. Accidents are unexpected: Always check that your first aid kit has all the supplies you need and is fully stocked, so you are fully prepared if you accident does happen.
7. Cost saving: Why not save yourself some money by getting the best first aid kit for travel abroad. It is cheaper than paying a private clinic to clean your cut and bandage you up. First aid kits are designed to help manage a wide variety of injuries that may occur on holiday such as cuts, burns and scrapes etc.
8. Not just for a holiday: If you successfully go on holiday unscathed, then it’s still always good to have a first aid kit handy at home or in the car. You never know when or where accidents can happen.
9. Small injuries can become bigger: Immediate treatment to an injury can significantly reduce the risk or it worsening. The longer you leave it then worse it can become, don’t take that risk, first aid kits are pretty cheap and worth every penny.
10. Easy to travel with: You can get really good first aid kits for traveling that are compact and lightweight making them perfect for taking abroad.

Try to think about where you are going on holiday and the typical challenges you might face, then you can pick the best first aid kit for travel abroad accordingly. Here are some things you may want to consider when looking for the best first aid kit for travel abroad: –

• If you are visiting somewhere tropical like the Caribbean it might be worth investing in some mosquito repellent.
• You may end up doing some hiking or walking more than you usually do back at home, so blisters may be common.
• Experiencing new cultures usually involves experimenting with local foods which could cause upset stomachs.
• Cuts, scratches and insect bites may become injected in hot and humid conditions.
• If you are traveling long haul you will most likely be jet lagged for the first few days

So try to think of the situations that may occur on holiday, where you are going, how long for, where you are staying and what you are eating etc, then you can pick a first aid kit that meets your requirements.

• A digital thermometer helps monitor fevers and determines if you need to seek urgent medical care. A digital thermometer eliminates the guess work from the temperature reading.
• Bandages, Band-Aids and plasters help over up those cuts and scratches reducing the risk of infection. Be sure to get a variety of different sizes and lengths to cover any situation.
• Medical tape will help keep those bandages together and in place, great if you have injured your arm.
• Painkillers such as paracetamol can help with pain relief and fighting mild fevers. However, it is not so good for reducing swelling, for this you need Ibuprofen.
• Anti-Diarrhoea tablets like Imodium are sometimes an unfortunate necessity when traveling. It works by slowing down the movement of the gut. So, if you stomach is feeling a bit off, make sure you have one of these handy, rather than tucked away in your first aid kit.
• Alcohol wipes kill 99.999% of germs and bacteria making them perfect for cleaning and disinfecting wounds, cuts and scratches. Make sure you check them before your next trip as once opened they can dry up.
• Antiseptic cream is an essential in any emergency first aid supply kit when traveling abroad. It contains either streptomycin or penicillin antibiotics capable of killing bacteria that cause infections.
• Tweezers are a great addition for your first aid kid, however don’t take them on the plane. If you are hiking through forests then they may come in handy removing splinters.
• Hand Sanitiser is also extremely handy when traveling, especially before treating a cut or eating food. They come in gel and wipe form.
• Gauze pads are useful for dressing wounds where other fabrics might stick to the burn or laceration.

• Antihistamine tablets like Benadryl mainly used to treat allergies that reduces the effects of natural chemical histamine in the body. Benadryl is used to treat sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, hives, skin rash, itching, and other cold or allergy symptoms.
• Motion sickness pills are good to take if you are traveling on windy roads rough bus and boat rides. Dramamine can help prevent and treat nausea, vomiting, and dizziness caused by motion sickness.
• Electrolyte mixes can help balance and restore healthy Electrolyte Levels for Super Hydration. They come in small sachets which will fit perfectly in any first aid kit making them a great addition for travellers.
• Latex gloves are a great addition to any first aid kit for travel abroad, they don’t take up much space and they prevent you coming into contact with another person’s bodily fluids.

When trying to find the best first aid kit for travel abroad, you need to find the perfect balance between taking too much and too little. You need a variety of the essential items mentioned above catered for your type of holiday.

With every first aid kit they are only needed in the event of an unlikely accident, so it’s important to make sure everything well organised and clearly labelled. Check that any creams and tablets are in date and the quality of the items are still all intact.

Here are some pointers of what to look for when buying the best first aid kit for travel abroad:

• Lightweight
• Portable
• Durable case
• Waterproof
• Has all the essentials you need
• Check your not over packing

Thanks for reading our guide on finding the best first aid kit for travel abroad. You can now travel knowing you are in good hands and ready for any bump, scratch or cut that may occur, hopefully this isn’t ever the case though! However you can rest assured knowing you are fully prepared.

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you,
we earn a small commission if you make a purchase.