Illustrated First Aid Guide - Marcia Wendorf [3]
• Small, waterproof flashlight and extra batteries
• Candles and matches for cold climates
• Sunscreen
• Mylar emergency blanket
Travel First Aid Kit
When traveling, you walk more than usual, you are exposed to sun and wind, and cuts and scrapes tend to occur in unfamiliar surroundings. While you can purchase first aid supplies in hotel gift shops and pharmacies, they will cost far more than if you had brought a travel first aid kit with you.
Contents of a travel first aid kit should include:
• Adhesive bandages of various sizes
• Triple-antibiotic ointment
• Antiseptic wipes
• Calamine lotion
• Sunscreen SPF 15 or higher
• Insect repellent (35 - 55% DEET)
• Antidiarrhea medications
• Hydrocortisone cream
• Lip salve
• 2 inch and 4 inch gauze pads
• Antinausea/motion sickness medication
• Bandages
• Antifungal cream (tolnaftate 1% or clotrimazone 1%)
• Thermometer
• Antiseptic hand wipes or soap
• Moleskin for blisters
• Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) or meclizine for nausea
• Aspirin, Ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain relief. Never give aspirin to children
• Diphenhydramine or fexofenadine for allergies
• Moist towellettes for cleaning hands when restrooms aren’t available
Disaster Preparedness
Natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes and tornados claim many lives each year. Becoming informed about the steps you can take to protect yourself and others can mean the difference between life and death.
Earthquakes
An earthquake can cause buildings and bridges to collapse, disrupt gas, electric and phone service, and trigger landslides, avalanches, flash floods, fires and tsunamis.
What to Do During an Earthquake:
1. If you are indoors, take cover under a desk, table, bench or against an inside wall.
2. If the quake is severe and the building you are in could collapse, crouch next to a large, sturdy object such as a refrigerator or file cabinet. If the ciling collapses, a triangle of space next to the object will provide a safe place.
3. Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls.
4. Never try to leave a building during an earthquake, objects can fall on you.
5. If you are in bed, stay there and cover your head with a pillow. If the earthquake is severe, get on the floor next to but not under the bed. If the ceiling collapses, this will provide a safe place.
6. If you are in a high-rise building, the fire alarms and sprinklers will most likely go off. Use the stairs, not the elevators to descend.
7. If you are outside, avoid buildings, trees, streetlights and power lines until the shaking stops.
8. If you are in a vehicle, stay inside it with your seatbelt fastened. If under an overpass or within a parking structure, crouch next to your vehicle. If the ceiling collapses, this will provide a safe place for you.
9. If you are trapped in debris, do not light a match, cover your nose and mouth with a handkerchief or clothing and avoid kicking up dust, tap on a pipe or wall to alert rescuers to your presence.
Floods
Flash floods can occur anywhere, especially in channels and low-lying areas. They can be fast and catch people unawares.
What to Do During a Flood:
1. Be aware of streams, drainage channels, canyons and other areas known to flood suddenly in your area.
2. Listen to radio or television for flood watches and warnings.
3. If evacuating your home, move essential items to an upper floor, turn off utilities at the main switches or valves, and disconnect electrical appliances.
4. Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.
5. Fill containers with water; you can sterilize water by mixing 10 parts water with one part household bleach.
6. Do not walk through moving water, as little as 6 inches can knock you off your feet. Use a stick or pole to probe the water depth before proceeding.
7. Never drive through a flooded area; a foot of water