How To Create a Super Practical DIY Travel First Aid Kit

Stocking your DIY Travel First Aid Kit adequately is an essential part of travel planning.

Finding a pharmacy or clinic at odd hours or even at all can be tricky and time-consuming.

Preparing yourself for simple medical issues while traveling saves time and money. Always plan for any ailment that may be remedied with basic first aid essentials.

Whether it be motion sickness, heartburn, diarrhea, a cut, or cough, these issues may simply be taken care of with over-the-counter medications or a Bandaid. 

Affiliate Disclosure: There are affiliate links throughout this post. This means if you click on a link and purchase a product through that link, then I will receive a small commission for the referral. And that is kinda cool.

Tips to maintain health and wellness while traveling.

It is of the utmost importance to remain healthy while traveling. You don’t want to miss any of the fun activities planned, and you don’t want to feel terrible when the rest of the family is having a blast. 

There are many ways to stay healthy and prevent illness from happening while exploring the world. Here are a few tips to keep health and wellness a priority while you hit the road.

• On travel day (your first day of vacation), start the day healthy. Get a good night’s sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and if you have time, sneak in a walk or gym time.
• Stay hydrated.
• Don’t overdo the booze.
• Take precautions for DVT (deep venous thrombosis) with long haul travel.
• Pack hand sanitizer and use it.
• Get your sleep.
• Eat a healthy breakfast every day.
• Pack healthy snacks.
• Walk everywhere when possible.
• Combine a workout with sightseeing. For example, kayaking, horseback riding, cycling, or stand up paddleboarding.

And pack a DIY first aid kit.

Items to include in your DIY Travel First Aid Kit.

Plus a printable checklist.

**The checklist does not include any emergency type medication (with the exception of the epinephrine). In the event of an emergency, seek medical attention immediately.**

First, a few packing tips for your DIY First Aid Kit.

1. Start organizing with a thorough checklist.
2. Use either a clear bag so you can see your items quickly when you need them. Or use a packing cube.
3. See what you have in your medicine cabinet and any first aid kits you have around the house.
4. Purchase travel-sized containers and travel-sized items.
5. Take advantage of all of the various sizes of ziplock bags.

Wound care items you need in your DIY First Aid Kit.

• Gauze squares in different sizes and gauze wraps.
• Coban or elastic wrap.
• Bandaid tape.
• Scissors.
• Alcohol swabs.
• Band-Aids in various sizes.
• Butterfly sutures.
• Triple antibiotic ointment.
• Cold compress.

Medications to include in your DIY First Aid Kit.

• Stomach medications ~ Imodium, Pepcid (or any of the “purple pills for heartburn”), Pepto-Bismol, and TUMS.  We also will include ondansetron, which is an anti-nausea medication that is a prescription.  This is great for motion sickness.
• Motion Sickness ~ We spend lots of time sailing, so I always have multiple remedies for motion sickness, including ondansetron always.  Ginger candy, scopolamine patches, and sea bands may help with motion sickness.  Don’t forget your motion sickness bags.  Ginger beer helps, too.
• Aches, Pains, and Fevers ~ Pack either acetaminophen or ibuprofen for minor aches and pains, including headaches.  These are also fever reducers.  Include both adult and kids doses.
• Allergies ~ My daughter has multiple food allergies, so we travel always with liquid Benadryl and two EpiPens.
• Ointments ~ For bug bites and rashes, always bring Benadryl and Cortisone Ointments.  Include Aquafor for dry, cracked, or irritated skin.  Aquafor is a skin protectant and is great on burns as well.
• Cold/cough ~ Pack a decongestant and some cough drops, just in case.
• Basic First Aid Items ~ You can purchase a Basic First Aid Kit on Amazon.  Or you can just add some Bandaids, gauze, tape, disinfectant wipes, wound closure strips, and maybe even some liquid bandage to a large ziplock bag.

Essential miscellaneous items to include in your DIY First Aid Kit.

• Tweezers ~ For splinters and ticks.
• Hand Sanitizers.
• Sanitizing wipes.
• Alcohol wipes.
• Eyewash.
• Thermometer.
• Liquid bandage.
• Aquafor or another skin protectant.

Management of the Most Common Travel-Related Ailments E-Book.

Purchase from Wander Well Printables on Etsy for $7.

Here is what is included in this thorough E-Book that will prepare you to travel with your family in a healthy, peaceful, and confident manner.

You can’t always avoid experiencing travel-related illnesses. Knowing how to recognize and manage the symptoms is essential to your peace of mind.

The ailments included in this E-Book are the most common issues travelers face including:

• Airport Anxiety
• Jet Lag
• Seasickness
• Altitude Sickness
• Insomnia
• Heat-Related Illness
• Traveler’s Diarrhea

Covered topics include the cause, symptoms, and treatments of the illness. Plus, preventive measures you can begin to prepare for during the planning phase of your adventure.

Purchase from Wander Well Printables on Etsy for $7.

Travel Insurance; Purchase or Not?

Here is my simple answer; if you are going on a weekender not far from home, I would say no. But, if you are going to spend the week on a ship in the Galapagos or touring through Iceland, yes, you should.

World Nomads provides travel insurance for independent travelers and families from over 140 countries. The plans are flexible and straightforward for international or domestic travel. AND, you can buy and claim from anywhere in the world.

Check out their website; it looks like a professional travel blog. World Nomads not only provide insurance coverage, but they have safety information, destination inspiration, travel stories, and they will teach you how to be a responsible traveler.

Creating a DIY travel first aid kit will have you prepared ahead of time, saving precious time and money.

What would you add to this list? 

Click here for a printable version of the First Aid Kit Checklist.