When we went to Britain in 2002 I decided it would be the last trip that the band aids and that other first aid ilk was going to be left behind. Five weeks later we were unpacking back in Minneapolis. I emptied the shoulder bag and set it aside. Before it went back to its perch in the closet, I fetched an assortment of the zippy plastic bags. It was my intention to make up a kit of first aid supplies and keep it in the shoulder bag forever. We never traveled without it. If we brought the luggage out to the car in the garage it would be like having a missing child if the shoulder bag wasn't there.

The kit is nothing more than about fifteen zippy bags loaded with a variety of band aids, including more knuckle dressings. Also included in the bags are an assortment of four tapes, 2 gauze rolls, self-adhering wrap, elastic bandage, package of cotton wrap and a menu of tubes, pills or bottles. The bottles include a six ounce bottle of Keopectate, Aloe Vera and ten ounces of over-the-counter cough syrup.

In addition I pack a hand towel, size roughly 16 x 24. The towel is for leg and foot cramps. If the cramps won't subside with massage the tissue needs a hot towel application. Other accoutrements include a tweezers, small and large scissors and some Q-tips.

The name of the first aid game is to give first aid and seek medical care if the problem persists. By keeping the items stowed separately they are easy to locate in an emergency. By keeping the items in bags they are easy to pack together with anything else-such as our bird books.

Learn more about this author, John Bridell.
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