Travelling in remote places often means you are away from any help when something goes wrong. A simple survival first aid kit could save your life or that of someone travelling with or near you.
Up until recently I was a park ranger in charge of the entire area west of Alice Springs and I did a lot of driving in remote areas, travelling between ranger stations and for meetings with other departments or organisations. You could say it was inevitable that I would come across situations, often unfolding right in front of my eyes.
From car accidents, broken bones and other types of injuries encountered I made sure all staff always carried a first aid kit no matter where they were. I mean I’m all for improvisation but a good kit will save added stress when things go bad.
It’s easy to become complacent or to say it will never happen to me but I’ve got news for you. If you travel a lot it’s not a matter of if but when it will happen.
Even if it’s not an accident it is possible to have an encounter with a snake or a spider etc so it not only pays to have a first aid kit but also to know how to use it. Make sure at least one of your travelling party has done a first aid course so you’re not running blind.
Also make sure you have some means to contact the outside world in the case of an emergency like a satphone or personal locator beacon (PLB). These vary in price, firstly in initial outlay, but then as to whether or not some kind of plan is required but if you need one you’ll be glad you had it.
Luckily when I was working I had all the gear supplied but these days as we travel solo or in small groups we have to supply our gear ourselves.
Why did I go to Survival First Aid?
I like things to be organised and able to be stored without getting crushed or lost amongst all my other gear. The Survival First Aid range of kits come in a robust case and all the contents have a designated home inside.
You can buy different kits from small pocket units right up to workplace kits and they even have home and vehicle kits too. I’ve gone for the Survival Travel First Aid kit because it also has a bites and stings module supplied and because you never know when you might have an encounter with one of our creepy crawlies.
The kits are designed in Australia by leading first aid experts and the colour-coded labelling system enables you to clearly identify the first aid contents. On top of this the typical use for each item is also explained.
The combination of these two things makes it quicker and easier to respond to most emergency situations especially when it’s not first practice to you.
These kits are also used by many Police, Fire and Emergency services around Australia so don’t only take my recommendation!
To download a free first aid guide from their website click here or follow them on Facebook to keep with new product releases.
On top of this an app called iFirstAid is available from the Apple and Google Play stores for download.
If you happen to have had occasion to use the contents of your kit you can even order replacements off their website once you return home.
I really encourage you to visit their website to determine what kit will suit your needs. Remember too that it’s no good having the right “tools” unless you know how to use them so look up first aid training in your area, should you need it.
If you’d like to see what else to pack then look at our what to pack page here.
I’m not sure about luck but here’s hoping you don’t ever need to use your kit! Stay safe out there.
