What's in my 1.2 lb first aid kit?!

You do what makes you happy.

However, much of what you take is available all over Europe. I bring many of the things you mention but just enough to get me started. Then, if I need more, I pop into a drugstore or grocery and pick them up.

With each item in my first aid pouch I ask myself......"it's midnight. I need XXX. Do I need it right away or can I get it in the morning?"

The only things I tqke extra of are what I know I can't get in Europe....Pepto Bismol (not available except in the UK) and Naproxen Sodium/Alleve (by prescription only.)

I find I rarely need most of it.

Hi, I love when people share exactly what they bring, so thank you! I don’t bring a needle and thread, but what a great idea to thread it first!

I am one of those tenacious light packers, so here’s what non-meds I bring in a sandwich Ziploc bag that stays in my suitcase.
6 AlkaSeltzer severe cold packets
A blister package (12) of Sinus decongestant
Anti-diarrhea blister pack (luckily, never needed these!)
A small roll of Rolaids - the magnesium helps if my leg aches at night.
A few bandaids. I finally replaced the ones that were so worn but never used.
Some papertape wrapped around a golf pencil - a new addition this year. I think Pam mentioned it.

I don’t carry any of this with me during the day since my B&B’s are in the historical center. I guess I should throw a bandaid in my purse today….in Italy. : )

I do keep a little plain bar of soap from a hotel in a Ziploc snack bag. If I needed to wash a cut, I don’t want to use the liquid shower gel at most places now.

I, too, love a comprehensive list of contents. My approach is similar and all revisited before each trip. After carrying Imodium in my carryon for years and never using it, I put it in the checked bag, Wouldn’t you know that was the 9-hour flight where my hubby had diarrhea!

My list varies (e.g., no COVID tests as they are easy to obtain) and like Frank, I assess how likely I need something immediately (Imodium on the flight!) or how available it is. I do take a pulse oximeter these days and still pack a sheet of moleskin. We haven’t had blisters in many many years, but that stuff is harder to find abroad.

...it gives me such comfort it's there- and if I never unzip it once during a trip, then that's a huge success!

Better to have it and not need it than the other way around. We also take a small kit, but our's has a few different things. Of course, everyone's kit will be different. Regardless, it's always a good idea to have a few things on hand.

I don't take much first aid stuff, but I do take a roll of sport tape aka athletic tape. The kind people use to wrap their ankles., not the common white bandage tape. I use it in lieu of moleskin. It sticks to sweaty skin just as well, although pulling it off is painful. It has other uses, from taping down cables, patching holes in luggage, and other temporary repairs.

There's an ointment called Calmoseptine a nurse friend recommended in lieu of neosporin. It's used in wound management and really sticks and lasts a long time. It comes in little single use packets as well as tubes.

Thanks for your breakdown Bon voyage. I packed most of what you had last summer, minus the motion sickness items. I also packed a blister pack of Benadryl for any mosquito bite, etc problems and Dulcolax/ colace. The one item we really went through was the pack of various size moleskin and a cut to size moleskin packet. Going in June the temps in London were warm and with so much walking we really avoided blisters by using it. The only thing we needed more of at a Boots stop was lip balm. I didn’t weigh my stuff but it couldn’t have been much, and like you, I liked knowing I was prepared. I am planning on cutting back on toiletries next trip and buying there.

As someone who gets migraines, has challenges with rich food, gets respiratory viruses when travelling, twists an ankle now and then, I am like you and I most definitely bring what I need. I’m not terribly interested in trying to track down equivalents of non prescription meds; when I need them, I need them. Plus I know what works and medication formulas are not necessarily the same globally. And having my small ankle brace has been helpful a few times. Thanks for this list!

FAK (First Aid Kit)
I like to use cheap zip-mesh small pouches available on Amazon. Somewhat transparent. Lie flat. Different sizes with different color borders.

I like these for FAK.s.

I have also used small, snap shut, transparent red soap dish from dollar store and Amazon for FAK.
I use the teeny tiny zip-lock pill bags from Walgreens. That way, I can carry a small quantity on pills rather than the whole container.
Band-AIDS are a must.

I think the idea of "I'll just pick it up over there" works best if you are traveling with someone else. If you are solo and you are ill, going out and looking for a pharmacy to pick up meds is going to be more of a challenge. I bring a small amount of meds that I might need. I put them in the small medication size ziplock bags and label them. I put a photocopy of the packaging for dosage in the bag as well. I mentally sort them into categories. Pain relief: Advil and Tylenol; GI issues: Bonine, Tums, Lomotil, small package of Benefiber. Allergies/Stings: Cortisone, Benedryl , and insect repellant wipes. Cuts/Blisters: Bandaids, steri-strips, Glacier Gel. A few gauze pads and self sticking flexible tape (like when you have your blood drawn). Covid kit: very small bag with 2 tests, some dayquill/nyquill, disposable strip thermometers and some masks. I find that this covers almost every issue I have had when traveling and doesn't take up a great deal of room.

A word of caution with pre-filled first aid kits like this. You do want to be aware of any medication import restrictions for the countries you are visiting. For example cold medications or Benedryl may be prohibited in some countries (Japan comes quickly to mind).

Carol, thanks for the heads up about checking otc kind of meds with different countries’ restrictions. I hadn’t thought of that, just assumed they would be acceptable if they were marked and in their packaging. Good information to know!

I take plenty of Tylenol PM because the Paracetaminol(sp) PM available other countries did not work as well for me. Also, toothpaste stops itching of mosquito bites! I also take a small tube of Neosporin.

I agree with Carol on perhaps needing to be more prepared if you are a solo traveler.

I AM the paper tape girl! It replaced moleskin years ago thanks to my brother, a forester. He has weird feet, lol and could never get boots needed in the Idaho woods to fit right. He started using paper tape many years ago because it tears easily in the field and also will stay on in the shower (or creek crossings)! It works best as a preventive but then so does moleskin. It peels off way easier than moleskin or other tape.

I bring most of what others bring - including the SeaBands for nausea in case some kind of boat ride is on the itinerary. I've used it in planes as well if there is a lot of turbulence. One of the folks at our CdA/Spokane meet up who is a martial artist confirmed that they work on an accupressure point for calming. If I know some kind of sea journey is in store, I've also started packing some ginger chews which help as well.

Thanks for starting this thread. Always interesting and always get some good ideas for future trips.

I’ve never thought of weighing my First Aid kit as it’s coming along no matter what!
Except for the oximeter, I have most of the same things in my kit as the OP, and am also of the opinion that when I need something I need it right now, so I’m bringing it with me.
I don’t want to be going out to look for a pharmacy in a hurry.
One thing I also bring is a small ziploc bag of table salt….really helps a sore throat when you gargle with some in warm water.
I’ve become sick on trips to Europe twice, no…three times!, and was very glad to have what I needed with me!
In my day bag I always carry a handful of bandaids.

For those who might want to cut back on the amount of items you take, there is a company that sells individual doses of almost everything:

http://www.minimus.biz

All they do is sell travel size items. I've shopped with them many times.

@S J …. What works well for a gargle are the premixed packets of salt for neti pot/nasal irrigation users. You’d probably have to buy too many of them for just occasional gargle usage but I use a neti pot every day, especially when traveling, so have them to hand anyway.

I try to keep it simple and treat the following:
- Cuts & bruises (bandages, Neosporin, Quikclot, moleskin)
- Stomach issues (Pepto, Imodium, Prilosec, Tums)
- Head issues (Tylenol)
- Allergy & Cold issues (Benadryl, Sudafed, Zicam, NyQuil tablets)
- Muscle issues (Ibuprofen, Salonpas patches)
- Eyedrops & earplugs

I always pack 2-3 glylcerin suppositories (wrap up in saran) for constipation. Works fast without side effects. Maybe TMI but works well!

Thank you for your post. There are some really good ideas to add to my list, especially the use of paper tape and a thermometer.

While I find it easy in general to get first aid supplies in Europe, like many of the posters, I do bring more when I am traveling alone. I have been ill as a solo traveler and it is nice to have something handy versus going to a pharmacy.

This is so interesting to me. When I started traveling solo for weeks at a time, I made up a small FAK and included a few Tylenol, cold meds as well as bandages etc., but what I've found is that the only thing I've ever used from my kit is the moleskin. I rarely take medicine at home, so I had to buy all these different meds and now I'd imagine everything is expired. I'm actually rethinking the whole FAK idea since I hate to spend more money on things I almost never use and then end up wasting them, but the flip side is that I'd hate to need something and not be able to get it.

Thanks Frank II for your recommendation for Minimus.biz. Saves on the excess!

Thank you, everyone! I often learn something new thanks to the Forum responses!
(As in: taking glycerin suppositories!)
I've enjoyed reading what others bring (if even anything at all) and it's clear given our different health situations customizing a "kit" vs a pre-made purchased option is important.
It was here years ago I learned about bringing a tiny roll of duct tape and using just the blister packs vs the box.
As far as added expense, for the most part the items are just what I have at home, anyway, and I use that to equip my own kit. That online resource for small amounts of stuff is awesome, I have it bookmarked.
Happy and healthy travels!

I use a small, 8 compartment pill organizer. I keep it stocked so it's easy to grab for weekend trips. It's all labeled, and I do carry a single sheet with the prescriptions and more detailed instructions when we travel to Europe. The last time we needed to buy Imodium in Europe it wasn't an easy process.

Thanks for sharing your tips!

Even though this kit adds weight it gives me such comfort it's there

And that’s the key. Nothing else is more important.

tiny blunt sewing scissors,

I did see these confiscated very recently. Then we go on the flight and they gave us metal knives with the meal. The individual that lost the scissors was not happy when she saw the knife.

1 needle pre- threaded with black thread

Great for stitching up cuts and lacerations

Middle of kit: 3 Covid tests, blister pack severe cold/flu capsules
am/pm, etc ,,,,,,

I know I can buy it where ever I am going but I love the idea of at least a 2 day supply so I can choose when I go shopping. And in a lot of Europe this stuff has to be purchased at a pharmacy .... language issues can be difficult an brand names can be confusing.

Front of pack: small ace rolled bandage

To protect the wound you stitched up

I hope someone finds this useful! It's the first thing I do to start
getting ready :)

Very. I do similar, but smaller quantities maybe because I am under a pound. All goes in a zip lock.

I rarely take medicine at home, so I had to buy all these different meds and now I'd imagine everything is expired. I'm actually rethinking the whole FAK idea since I hate to spend more money on things I almost never use and then end up wasting them, but the flip side is that I'd hate to need something and not be able to get it.

Keep in mind, as you look to manage what medications to keep in a reasonable kit, some OTC meds sold overseas are either highly limited, limited in dosages or, just not available. I think the most reasonable contingency to deal with when traveling is intestinal issues..food poisoning, upset stomach, the runs, constipation,etc..

Pepto-Bismol is not avialble in the EU, Imodium requires a prescription.

Meds containing pseudoephedrine is not allowed in Japan.
Benadryl is another controlled med; its available but nowhere close to the accessibility seen in the US
Tylenol PM is usually sold in lower dosages overseas than in the US, same also with most cold & cough medications. Sometimes your body has a hard time adapting to all the changes involved with travel, cold symptoms start to show up as your immunity takes the initial hit, having some medication readily available to take in the evening is a big help and doesn't derail your itinerary.

One small correction...Imodium (also known by its active ingredient Loperamide) is available OTC in the EU. I've seen it on shelves. (Some individual countries may require a prescription.)

However, pyrithiione zinc and selenium sulfide, two active ingredients in most dandruff shampoos, is not allowed to be sold in the EU. (This is a correction from what I wrote previously.)

What I've also found in many countires are two types of what American's call drug stores. One that is like a Walgreens/CVS but without a pharmacy. The other is an actual pharmacy. The pharmacy usually carries some OTC products that are not carried in the other.

However, pyrithiione zinc and selenium sulfide, two active ingredients in most dandruff shampoos, are banned in the EU.

Frank II--banned as in not sold in the EU, or banned as in my husband's Head & Shoulders could be confiscated? I'm having trouble finding an answer to that online as one of the ingredients seems to be banned because it might cause harm to people and the other because it might cause harm to the environment.

This raises a potentially complicated question, because so many people decant full-size products into the containers for compliance with the required 3-1-1 bags. Others have mentioned pills and vitamins in baggies, etc.
So, if you transfer the Head and Shoulders into an unlabeled 3 oz travel bottle, then what?! I'm more familiar with problematic food ingredients than personal care, but this gets challenging!

One item I like for hiking that wasn’t mentioned yet is wool. Loose wool that dancers use to wrap around their toes. I weave a small bit of this around my toes and it works. It has to get tossed after and does sometimes stick to the wool socks a bit but I like it better than bandaids or other such sticky things.

I will put a word of warning here as I’m now nursing a sunburn on my face that I haven’t had since I was a kid- if you buy any personal product on that particular shopping website, test it well at home first. You don’t want to find out on vacation that the product being sold is a fake. Or just shop local or from sources you know you can trust.

What I've also found in many countires are two types of what
American's call drug stores. One that is like a Walgreens/CVS but
without a pharmacy. The other is an actual pharmacy. The pharmacy
usually carries some OTC products that are not carried in the other.

Here in Hungary we have DM and Rossmann that sell beauty supplies, toilet paper, soaps, vitamins but thats it. Absolutely no over the counter meds. All of those you have to go to a pharmacy for. You walk up and tell the pharmacist what is hurting and the pharmacist makes a recommendation then gets it from a secure area and sells it to you. Not real convenient.

We also dont have all the same drugs that are available in other countries. I have one particular medicine not available here, but is available in Austria. Apparently prescriptions are good across the EU so i hire a service that makes weekly runs to Austria to pickup meds. Add 4.000 forints to the cost of 3 months of meds.

Frank II--banned as in not sold in the EU,

It can't be sold in the EU as there may be a llnk to cancer. You can bring it in.

I corrected my post.

So, if you transfer the Head and Shoulders into an unlabeled 3 oz travel bottle, then what?! I'm more familiar with problematic food ingredients than personal care, but this gets challenging!

I understand your confusion. But it is really simple.

You are not allowed to take any container in your carry on that is more than 100ml/3.4 oz. If it is a medical necessity and larger than that, you may be able to take it on. It is up to the TSA agent at your screening lane.

So, the Head and Shoulders in a 3 oz bottle is fine. A 6 oz bottle half full is not. Why....because TSA does not have the time or capability of measuring how much is in that larger bottle. It's easier, and faster, to just limit the size of the bottle.

I have found very few countries that ban ingredients in OTC products from being brought in even though they aren't sold there. Except for Japan.

I clearly need to pack eye medication as I initially read the thread title as ‘What’s in my 12 lb first aid kit?’ thinking “that seems a bit excessive”!

I clearly need to pack eye medication as I initially read the thread title as ‘What’s in my 12 lb first aid kit?’ thinking “that seems a bit excessive”!

LOL
That brings up a good issue....how many people pack back-up pair of eye-glasses? or, extra contacts?

I always bring an extra pair of prescription glasses. I have progressives, and while I probably could muddle through with a pair of OTC readers if need be, the extra pair of prescription glasses don't take up much room so I bring them along.

I wear daily contacts so I pack extra (5 days' worth) as well as my prescription glasses for early morning and night. I usually take extra reading glasses in case I lose or break...I had three this time and came home with 1 pair as I did both. Thankfully, both were well-worn, scratched and marred pairs I used in transit. I only needed the remaining better pair for a couple of days at the end of the trip.

This is a perfectly timed thread that I'll read more carefully for ideas when I'm back home.

I jokingly say that I pack for every past travel malady and mishap - loose buttons, broken shoelaces, blisters, colds, headache... this trip I had thought to reduce a bit, so I left out the headache tablets, which I never take at home. Wouldn't you know, this trip.... wished I had them at 4am after a wedding.

I think I do need to be more choosy about how much I bring for each malady and mishap, and which I can wait until morning to find or replenish.

I'm glad it was helpful! At a recent wedding the couple provided little packets of Advil in the gift bags for guests. ?! Weird. But that would've been handy for you!
I think it also depends if you are traveling solo, as I do. There's no one to ask to go looking for ___ late at night.
You really don't need much, though. I get a migraine about twice a year, so take just enough for an episode in one of those little 2" square pill bags, or, just cut in half a blister pack of an antidiarrheal tablet.
It's amazing how these small things add up to over a pound! Everyone's health needs are different, of course, I'm fortunate to not have to literally take an RX let alone a lot of pills bottles.
Sticking with products I know will work us reassuring. Good luck and healthy travels!

That brings up a good issue....how many people pack back-up pair of
eye-glasses? or, extra contacts?

Well, my vision was terrible and I always took 2 pairs of glasses for any trip of any length. I could not see a thing even right in front of me. That would have significantly impacted my trip.

I had cataract surgery three years ago and had a specialty lens put in. I now have 20/20 vision (amazing for someone who has worn contacts or glasses for almost 50 years and was legally blind without correction) but the ophthalmologist did say to be careful in she sun. So I carry two pairs of sunglasses. So if I lose or break one. I look for a new back up pair. It seems that sunglasses are everywhere, unless you need a pair!

That brings up a good issue....how many people pack back-up pair of
eye-glasses? or, extra contacts?

I do. I'm laden down with eyeglasses. I cannot go outside without sunglasses, so I pack two. I have indoor glasses, bifocals, which I only wear in airports or train stations to read signs in the distance, but I bring them. Next time I'm also packing a pair of old reading glasses, just in case... I did fall in London once a couple of decades ago and broke my glasses. I didn't have a back up pair so I learned my lesson. I was with my husband so didn't matter as much. Now I travel solo. So...this is a fear I pack.

1.5 lbs for a first aid kit seems heavy. But if I include my back up glasses I guess I'd reach it. I'll have to weigh mine next time I'm in there.

How many people have actually sewn up themselves with the needle and thread?

"How many people have actually sewn up themselves with the needle and thread?"

Usually that would be folks going into the back country where you might need to hike out a day or longer to get to medical help. It does happen.

Just a money saving hint, search for "first aid kit refills" on Amazon. Refills are realatively cheap compared to first aid kits.

Thanks for all the recent comments and suggestions!
Ha- I hadn't thought I might need the threaded needle to sew myself up, I was thinking a button or small repair :) But certainly a space saver to have more than one use. I guess I like to think of this pouch with hope it never leaves the bottom of the suitcase.
A plus, as opposed to pre- filled kits, is being able to tailor it to your own specific needs with products you know work for you.
I should mention I don't lug this around! For trips within the US, or in my day bag for farther away, I have a 4 by 6 mesh zippered pouch that is pretty flat. I have a much pared-down version with tiny bill bags of just a few Tylenol, etc and some bandaids in asst sizes, little antiseptic packets and anti- sting wipes.
I was surprised when a fellow hiker on a RS tour took a tumble and the resulting several scrapes were actively bleeding. They didn't even have a tissue along, so I was able to help.
I loved the comment about packing my worries in the kit- so true!

I've recently read about the various uses of Paracord for travel.

Mostly camping type travel, but maybe useful for glamping or regular travel.

Like a clothesline,

shoelaces,

thread, like for a needle,

securing items to a backpack,

fishing, like trot line [Or is it trout line? Ours was a catfish line ;)],

snares / traps,

. . .

And apparently you can get Paracord already made up in fancy knots (think macrame) attached to a zipper pull.

Who knew!

I have some cotton twine wrapped around an old key card, but the Paracord sounds like it might be more useful.

Maybe not really 1st Aid Kit stuff, but definitely McGyver kit stuff.

Sorry if I've just added to the weight and volume of stuff you feel you "need" to pack. :)