An important part of every adventurer’s life is health. One thing is travel insurance, which provides a kind of “certainty” if something happens. Today’s article, though, is about reducing the possible consequences. A well-packed hiking first aid kit can often reduce the effects of nausea, pain and various injuries. Zdenička, being a nurse, has been nominated chief medic of Cestuj s batohem. Read a few tips on how to pack a hiking first aid kit like that.
A hiking first aid kit for weekend trips
First of all it’s worth thinking about how long a trip or adventure you’re going on. If you’re planning a weekend trip around Czechia, blister plasters will do. On home ground you can always get to a doctor, a hospital, a shop for medicine, a pharmacy, or simply end the trip and go home.
A hiking first aid kit for longer trips
If you’re planning a longer walk with a set duration, though, your hiking first aid kit could contain the things listed below. For our kind of trip, long walking treks of more than a week, we’ve put our kit together like this:
- For pain and fever – Ibalgin 400, Paralen 500, a thermometer
- For the digestive department, against frequent visits to the bushes and the loo – Loperon, Smecta powder
- Joint pain – Diclofenac 75 mg, Novalgin
- Muscle pain – comfrey ointment
- For cramps – Magnosolv, magnesium tablets
- Hand sanitiser, wet wipes
- Plasters without pads, large plasters with a pad, film (dermafoil – it works as a “second skin”, the dressing stays on longer and you don’t have to keep changing it)
- Sun cream
- Scissors, tweezers
- For allergies – Zodac
- Insect repellent combined with a bite gel
- Antibiotics – in Zdenička’s words: “I don’t take those.. because I think that if you start feeling so bad on the road that it’s a case for antibiotics, you should go home instead. And go to a doctor.. because as Kapitán Demo says: antibio, antibio, antibiotics. Used wrongly, they lose their power!”
A special category is antimalarials. If you’re planning a trip to exotic countries, it’s worth thinking about packing them. That means Africa, selected countries in South and Central America, Oceania and Asia.
If you’d rather not put a hiking first aid kit together yourself, there’s a varied range of fully equipped kits online. That way you can be sure you haven’t forgotten anything. 🙂
How to fill a hiking first aid kit
You’ve understood correctly that the medicines above aren’t always available over the counter. There are several ways to fill your hiking first aid kit. The first is a visit to the pharmacy. Plenty of medicines and products are available without prescription. The second option is a visit to your GP, who can write a prescription for some medications. The last option we know of is a travel medicine centre. There are bound to be several where you live.
As a healthcare professional, Zdenička adds a short note: “The hiking first aid kit is put together like this because I think it’s enough. Pištík is making me write something. This whole list is based on what I think are the most important things on the road. That means no pain, above all not burning your face, and being able to go to the loo normally. The size of the kit is up to each of us. Everyone finds something different important.. this list is just inspiration, not a set of instructions. I hope we’ll use as few things from the list as possible on our journey, and that the rest will be as necessary as a white T-shirt on the way to Santiago.” Everything about the walk to Santiago is here.
The principles of a good hiking first aid kit
Above all a hiking first aid kit should be organised. If I need to use it urgently, I should be able to see immediately what’s where. Another important principle is that it’s instantly recognisable. Put simply, when I carry it in my pack it has to be obvious at first glance (even to a stranger) that the pouch is the first aid kit. A hiking first aid kit should stand by us in any situation. It should be adapted to the trip you’re planning. And last but not least it should meet the principle that the essentials aren’t missing from it.
Important! If you’re going to use a medicine for the first time, read the patient information leaflet. Don’t want to carry it around? Photograph it, or stick a dosage label on the medicine. Also make sure your medicines and products are in a waterproof pouch. Plasters in particular are useless once they get wet or damp. That makes sense, doesn’t it.
Principles of safe behaviour for travellers
You can avoid needing medicines through sensible behaviour too. On the road there are unwritten rules that not only every adventurer should follow. They apply to ordinary tourists heading to exotic destinations and resorts as well. As Karel likes to say, though – a few germs and bacteria only do you good.
Drinking water
Outside Europe and in places where you’re not sure, always try to drink bottled water from a properly sealed bottle.
Meat, fruit and vegetables
In exotic countries you often see meat at street food stalls with the sun beating down on it beautifully. If you’re not sure it won’t turn your stomach 360° and tear your backside apart, keep your hands off. Also don’t eat raw meat. Rinse fruit and vegetables with bottled water too.
Ice in drinks
That may not be a happy choice. There’s a story attached. In Thailand we stuck to the rule of drinking only bottled water. A tempting 1+1 free Long Island Iced Tea with ice was then paid for by Zdenička’s friend. Not only did she miss out on the fun, she also suffered her way through the journey to Cambodia.
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