YOUR FIRST AID KIT
When kids are sick they need to be treated immediately and you need to have the right medication on hand to do this – especially if you’re out in the bush where there are no doctors immediately available. Paediatrician Dr Paul Sinclair says it’s vital that you pack some sterile saline because you can wash out eyes, noses and wounds with it. If you’re travelling out to the bush, it’s also important to pack a probiotic as it helps prevent traveller’s diarrhoea. Vomiting is also common with travelling kids so it’s vital that you have something to stop it, like a safe antinausea medication (ask your doctor for a prescription) . “The last thing you want is a vomiting child who is dehydrated and you’re 400km away from a hospital,” warns Dr Sinclair. “It’s also nice to have a systemic antihistamine that you can treat bee stings or allergies with immediately,” he advises. “A great cream to pack is Quadriderm as it includes a steroid, an antiseptic, an antifungal, and an antibiotic – four treatments in one. It’s a kind of a ‘treat-all’ and you can put it on just about anything.”
Finally, Dr Sinclair urges parents to pack something for temperature control in case of fevers and pain relief. “Make sure you pack anti-inflammatories such as Ponstan or Nurofen and for babies Empaped suppositories are a must. If you have a child that gets ill often, then you might want to take a dry antibiotic with you such as Orelox or Augmentin that you can mix up once you’re there, but that’s really only if you’re going into a very remote area.”
ABOVE AND BEYOND THE ITEMS WE’VE MENTIONED, BE SURE YOUR KIT IS ALWAYS STOCKED WITH:
Sterile gauze. Adhesive tape, such as Micropore.
At least two triangular, elastic bandages for slings.
At least two crepe or open weave bandages to bind dressing and to support injured joints.
Two large and small sterile dressings. One sterile eye dressing. Four gauze pads as extra padding over a dressing.
First aid dressings (size 3 and 5).
One pack of sterile swabs and antiseptic wipes.
Burnshield. Keep it in the car and your handbag too.
Paracetamol syrup and a measuring spoon and syringe.
Glycerine suppositories in case of constipation. Good quality thermometer. Tweezers, sharp scissors and safety pins. Two disposable cold packs. Plastic gloves and a CPR mouthpiece. Plasters. Arnica cream. Electrolyte solution. Sunscreen. A Nosefrida or nasal aspirator to keep babies naturally snot free, should a cold emerge.