3 Basic Tools to Confidently Deal With Common Injuries and Emergencies
You want to see so many places, and you’ve planned the perfect long-awaited road trip. You have researched routes, road conditions, private campgrounds, state parks, and the weather. You have checked electric hookup, cell phone reception, and activities nearby. You’ve packed the suitcases, the refrigerator, and all the compartments inside and out. Maybe you’re returning to that perfect campground that you’ve been to before, this time with friends, family, or the grandkids. You might be traveling in a motorhome, a camper van, or pulling a trailer. Maybe a tent is your thing. No matter how you are traveling or with who you are prepared to have fun, explore new sights, and relax around the campfire at night. But, there is another thing to prepare for, health and safety on the road. Unfortunately, accidents happen. Lacerations, burns, splinters, and minor injuries are sometimes part of the camping experience. Fortunately, a little preparation can help you handle them confidently.
We had always packed a first aid kit when we traveled. I even packed a small first aid kit years ago when we did everyday fun activities with our son, the zoo, fishing, the park, or the playground. Many times I needed a bandaid or two. So when it was time to put one together for the motorhome, I assembled everything I thought we might ever need in case of an emergency. I started with a large EMS medical bag that I bought online. I packed every size bandage and medical tape available and added every sling size, elastic bandage, and a splint for every finger. Then I added all the necessary tools such as scissors, a flashlight, gloves, duct tape, and more. The bag had perfect side pockets to pack a little pharmacy of medications that we like to have with us, cold medicine, pain relievers, bug spray, sunscreen, and eye drops. I thought it was perfect. It wasn’t! It certainly had everything, but it was bulky, cramped, and tough to carry. We used it that way for a year but then came up with a better and workable solution. We made three small kits. I also cut back on each item I packed, and the three smaller kits take up less room than the original bag.
You’re probably asking yourself why you would want to pack three separate bags or containers with things easily stored in drawers or a cabinet in your RV. The answer is efficiency. The tools you need to handle common emergencies are at your fingertips. Over the years, as we’ve traveled, we have found three different kits that have been the most beneficial for us, a Basic First Aid kit, an Emergency Tool kit, and an “I don’t want to forget it” kit.
The first tool is a Basic First Aid kit. You can find many excellent first aid kits online or in retail stores, and they are all stocked with similar supplies and entirely appropriate. The best option for my family has always been to assemble my kit specific to my family’s needs. When my son was young, we always needed extra ice packs and elastic wrap bandages. I now use a small medical bag that I purchased online and then stocked up at local stores. Your first aid kit should include assorted dressings for bleeding control, cleaning, covering, and securing wounds. Include medications to prevent skin infections and treat itching and irritation. Supplemental items like ice packs, a sling, and gloves help complete a well-stocked kit. A special note about aspirin is essential to know. If an adult develops new or unexplained chest pain, it may indicate a heart attack. Someone should call for emergency help immediately. According to the American Heart Association, the emergency 911 operator may recommend you take aspirin after evaluating if it would be safe to do so.
Having a complete and well-stocked first aid kit is an essential addition to your RV for traveling, but so is knowing how to use it appropriately. An easy-to-read first aid reference guide should be readily available in your kit to provide emergency information and steps for treating each situation. I want to take that one step further, though, by recommending everyone take a first aid course. Classes are informal and fun, but you’ll learn all the practical skills necessary to deal with everyday injuries and emergencies confidently. Contact your local fire department, park district, community college, or senior center to find a first aid course near you. I’ve listed the recommended items for your first aid kit below.
First Aid Kit
Bandages
- Assorted size bandaids
- Gauze Pads 4 x 4 inches
- Gauze Pads 3 x 3 inches
- Gauze Roll 2 inch
- Gauze Roll 3 inch
- Adhesive cloth or paper tape 1 inch
Medications
- Antibiotic ointment
- Alcohol/antiseptic wipes
- Hydrocortisone cream
- Aspirin
- Antihistamine (Diphenhydramine)
- Eye Wash
Additional
- Instant ice pack
- Latex-free gloves
- Triangular Sling bandage
- Elastic Wrap Bandage
- Finger splint
- Scissors
- Tweezers
- Hand Sanitizer
- Cotton Swabs
- One way valve CPR mask
The second tool is an Emergency Tool Kit. We developed this kit after initially having it all packed in our first aid bag. The name is deceiving. It is not a tool bag for RV repairs but rather a tiny kit of simple medical tools that come in handy. When packed in our first aid bag, they took up enough space that made the bag cramped and difficult to use. We were always taking multiple things out of the bag to get at the ones we wanted. The items also are helpful for other purposes, so it’s nice to have them separated. A small flashlight comes in handy to focus a little extra light when removing a splinter or to check the wiring on the back of the TV. Disposable surgical masks and gloves are good protection because the injury you may need to attend to might not be your own. We have always had masks and gloves packed with our first aid kit, long before Covid. Safety pins help make a triangular sling fit to size on a small arm or secure any clothing crisis. It’s always good to have a roll of duct tape, at least according to my husband. Considering it is helpful in a multitude of situations, we always have it on hand. We have used duct tape to secure dressings when we couldn’t find the medical tape, anchor an elastic wrap on an ankle, and deposit ticks after removing them from the dog. Duct tape can provide stability for a leg splint or pressure on bleeding wounds. For this kit, we use a small plastic container with a secure lid.
Emergency Medical Tools
- Small flashlight
- Extra batteries
- Multi-tool pocket knife
- Disposable surgical masks
- Additional gloves
- Thermometer
- Large scissors
- Safety pins
- Small handheld mirror
- Small notebook/Pen
- Duct tape
- Waterproof matches
- Reading glasses
The third tool is the “I don’t want to forget it.” kit. We have taken multiple vacations over the years where one of us has spent a day sunburned or covered in mosquito bites. It seemed like we always were forgetting something despite making a list for the “next trip.” I started packing additional medications and items with my clothes until the predictable happened, a loose cap on the calamine lotion and pink stained tee shirts. For this kit, we also use a small plastic container with a secure lid. You’ll want to include more than just pain relievers, cold medicine, sunscreen, or bug spray. Please take the opportunity to assess the over-the-counter medications you keep at home and replicate them for travel. Then you won’t find yourself up in the middle of the night needing an antacid and wondering where you can stock up in the morning. All the bottles stand upright, and if something does spill, it is simple to clean. Everything is easy to identify, and since I don’t leave medication in the RV between trips, it is easy to bring it in and store it in the house until we need it again.
Don’t Forget It Kit
- Pain relievers – ibuprofen and/or acetaminophen
- Cold medicine/Cough medicine
- Antihistamines
- Antacid
- Anti-diarrhea medicine
- Sunscreen
- Aloe vera gel
- Eye drops
- Insect repellent
- Calamine lotion
- Lip balm
- Toothache ointment
Having first aid supplies readily available and neatly organized is essential in case of an emergency. So it is crucial to check your first-aid kit and replace used items. Use the notepad from your Tool Kit and make a note of what needs replacement. Evaluate if your kit is easy to use and, if not, rearrange to make sure it is user-friendly. Remember also to check the medications each year. Check the expiration dates and how much is remaining. I keep a copy of the list of items folded in my first aid kit to inventory it quickly. Sign up with your email address on the Home Page and receive a copy of the recommended items as a reference for your kits. Use whatever size bag or containers that work best for you and your traveling needs. Find an easily accessible unobstructed place for storage. When a medical emergency arises, or an injury happens, it’s normal to be upset or anxious. A well-maintained and updated kit will help you quickly, efficiently, and appropriately respond and treat.
First aid is immediate medical attention for a minor or severe injury or illness. It is usually enough in case of a minor injury, a small cut, sprained ankle, or slight first-degree burn from the grill, but follow-up treatment by medical professionals is imperative for any other injury or illness. I can’t stress strongly enough the importance of calling 911 to get appropriate medical assistance to evaluate and treat an emergency. We have camped at campgrounds that provided informational instructions on who to notify and contact in an emergency, but that is not usually the case. When traveling and faced with a serious injury or illness, giving the exact location of an unfamiliar place is very stressful. We purchased a small white dry board and marker that we mounted inside one of our cabinet doors. After we settle into our campsite, I write the name of the nearest town, the campground, and the number of our campsite to quickly reference if I need to speak to the 911 operator. Watch for a future blog post where I will address calling 911 across the country and the essential information to provide the 911 operator so that help arrives as quickly as possible at your location. In the meantime, hit the road, be safe, and enjoy. Feel free to contact us with any questions.