First Aid Kit

mkb,

Are you looking at the "Travel Aid Kit" shown on this website? That would be too small for my preferences, but should work fine if that's all you're looking for.

If you're going to be checking luggage, scissors, knives, etc. won't be a concern at all. Sharp implements are only a problem with carry-on luggage. Check the TSA website for specific information.

Happy travels!

I carry the small, round tip cuticle scissors and no one has objected to it in my carryone. Pointed scissors are likely to be a problem.

"Scissors - metal with pointed tips and blades shorter than 4 inches are allowed"
http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/prohibited-items#4

I have bought first aid kits online and they usually have too much stuff that I don't use, and never would. I have found better alternatives for everything I need in Europe, so after years of taking a first-aid kit, I don't bother with it anymore.

Having said that, the kit on this site looks pretty good.

I bring nail scissors (blades are about 1" long) and make my own first-aid kit with bandaids, antibacterial gel, ibuprofen, and Tylenol. Remember that you must pack any first-aid liquids, gels, etc. according to the 3-1-1 rule, if you're carrying on luggage.

First Aid Kit: Go to the Thread "Which over-the-Counter med.s ....." This has been discussed in detail there. You can make a first aid kit on the cheap. Use a Pencil Pouch (6"x8") with one side clear plastic/vinyl. (Office Supply Store or Section about $2.75) This helps with security screenings and makes it easy to find the contents for yourself.

Carry your bulk medications and things in your suitcase. Keep your first aid kit in your purse, backpack, travel tote, etc. for easy access at all times. Just stock with what you need for the day. You can refill from your suitcase at the hotel.

Put your scissors in your luggage to be checked. You cannot carry blades of any kind on to the airplane. Plus, you won't need it on the plane.
Things to include - packet flushable wipes, small plastic zip-lock for waste, small travel size tissue, a few bandaids (not the whole package), any med.s you need - just enough for one day. (Keep rest in suitcase) Small 2 oz hand-sanitizer. A few sugar-free cough drops. Buy miniature (hockey puck shaped) pill bottles for med.s to alleviate bulk. Label them for yourself. (Wal-Mart and K-mart have travel sections with many of these things near their pharmacies.)

Keep in mind that the USA TSA rules can vary from the European security rules; for instance, corkscrews are OK in the USA, but not in Europe :-(

Ask yourself some questions - do you think you'll really need scissors (as an example)? Could you get by with cheap nail clippers? What would you be cutting - gauze? Thread?

For my money, this kit could be replicated much more cheaply and tailored to my needs. A Ziploc or small hard-sided container with tiny pouches of aspirin, thread(s) and needle, etc. is what I carry. Smaller, suited to my needs, and A LOT less than $20. But that's just me ;-)

If you want to risk it, put it through on the luggage and it shouldn't be a problem especially if it is under 4 inches long from the start of the blade to the tip.

mk,

i just bring some bandaids in a ziplock bag to keep them from getting damaged. As far as anything else, aspirin, and a mix of OTC meds.

happy trails.

I'm like Ray. I only carry enough to last me until I can get to a pharmacy when I need it - and they're all over.

I came accross this website to read more info on medical kit : http://www.medicalexpo.com/medical-manufacturer/medical-kit-2877.html

I carry a small supply of items you would want right away like Tylenol & Immodium. I also carry band-aids, cough drops, sinus meds & cold meds - it takes very little room and sure is handy when need something. It all fits in a 3" square pouch. I have most of the other items listed in RS kit tucked away somewhere in our bags.

A couple of thoughts (all just my opinions.) One advantage of a kit is that the medications and supplies are all labeled by the manufacturer in sealed packets. While I have not had my "daily" meds (I keep them in a labeled container, but it is usually opened) checked it is easier to get through security if you have some aspirin in a sealed packet labeled aspirin than a bunch of unmarked pills in a baggie. Almost all travel kits just give you enough of a given item to last until you get to a pharmacy. If a situation is serious a kit will tide-you-over, while if it is minor there may be enough treatment to resolve the problem. You don't usually take a large supply of anything as a "first aid kit." Again, I differentiate between a first aid kit and the daily medications I take with me. I have traveled with a kit I purchased many years ago and over time have swapped out what I didn't like in it for what I did (e.g., Naproxen for Ibuprofen, larger band aids etc.) I have used it maybe three times in the past 10 years. Two of the times were for minor comfort, the third was dealing with "tourista" and included using my prescribed antibiotic and Imodium-so that time my first aid kit was super helpful. A first aid kit is nice when it is late or you are in a very strange place and aren't feeling well. The one here seems reasonably complete and has a sewing kit (admittedly, I've just taking the "matchbook" style sewing kits offered at some hotels.) I wouldn't travel without one whether you put together your own or spend $20. My first aid kit came with small, bent, blunted, safety scissors about 1 inch long. I only had trouble with them as a carry-on one time. Although I have been to Mexico several times without problems once an agent pulled them out and started jabbing them against his palm..... after he did that about 10 times he decided they were okay--only time anyone bothered to look at them.

The only first aid item I pack is a roll of sports tape - not first aid bandage tape but the sports tape athletes use to wrap themselves up. It stick even in hard sweaty conditions unlike bandage tape. I've used it to cover blisters (in lieu of moleskin) cuts, sprained wrist, and even as tape for luggage or clothing repairs. Yes it is painful to pull it off a blister, but does not come off in your shoe. More attractive than duct tape.

Blister packs of medications have the drug identification on them. No need for pill bottles. What is great with blister packs is that the drug stays contained in the pack even if it is crushed - just lick the drug out of the pack. I can take a few or many pills using the blister packs.