If only these annoying mosquitoes weren’t around… The bite from the leech won’t stop bleeding! Surely you know these little problems, which trips in the wild inevitably bring with them. But what can you do against that? Staying at home is not an option, so only prevention and good preparation will help.  It would be ridiculous if a little insect bit or a scratch on your arm would stop you from going on your planned trip! With a first-aid kit and the right equipment we have nothing to fear.  

Packing list for the first-aid kit

Apart from medicine known to treat well-known personal health problems and ailments like diabetes or asthma: What cannot be missing in any outdoor adventure?

First-aid kit for hikes and other short trips:

  • Plaster (in various versions, also for blisters) and bandages
  • A triangular bandage (anyone wearing a bandana can use this as a bandage in an emergency)
  • Disinfectant/alchohol swabs
  • Scissors, tweezers (and nail clippers) safety pins (pack them safely, so that your equipment does not accidentally get a lot lighter)
  • Painkillers and ointment
  • Insect repellent and suncream
  • Optional: a fire or rescue blanket
Does that sound like too much? No worries, you can definitely pack all of this (ok, maybe not the fire blanket) up into a small hiking rucksack. The additional weight – if you pack small amounts of these liquids – is very low. You can buy so-called “Medi-packs” pre-packed – this saves time and money, however you should know what is inside and what to buy more of.  
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First-aid kit for outdoor trips lasting several days

For long outdoor trips you need to pack accordingly. Apart from the standard first-aid kit you should also pack the following:
  • Remedies against constipation, stomach upset, diarrhea and itching
  • Ear drops, nasal spray and cough medicine (especially if you are travelling with children)
  • Water purification/water filter
  • Vaccinations against things like malaria, for which prophylaxis is not a one hundred percent protection. It’s safer not to get bitten ;-) Long outdoor clothing helps and must not be necessarily too warm with the appropriate material.
 
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  Another tip: Pick out a few emergency addresses before your trip, so that you can contact them by phone or on the spot in case of an emergency. That also goes for (and is probably more important) being abroad! And in case of a persistant complaint a first-aid kit is not as good as a trip to the doctor, so if you are in doubt consult an expert. In addition it is also worth visiting a tropical institute. But all this should not deter us and we don’t want to be crazy about it before the trip, thinking about every single thing that could possibly happen. Anyone who is prepared has no need to fear! Apart from bears perhaps, nothing helps against them…