Medical Page

Llantrisant Sub-Aqua Club
www.llantrisantdivers.com

Travel Medicines
& First Aid Kit

Before going abroad on a diving trip or an expedition, the leader or organiser should take time to consider some important health matters:-

In addition to the recommended vaccination requirements and malaria prophylaxis, every member of the party should be certified medically fit to dive and be in a good state of health.

The leader or organiser should also ensure that there is reasonable access to hyperbaric facilities from the dive sites.

If you are organising an expedition to some remote location that is well away from normal tourist areas you should consider including a doctor in the party.

If you are going on a diving trip to a location near well-established tourist resorts then you will probably be able to use local medical facilities. Most of the better dive centres and live-aboards carry a first aid kit, oxygen equipment and basic medical items.

In either case you should consider taking your own medical supplies and basic first aid kit, the size and contents of which will vary according to the number in the party, the duration of the trip, local facilities and the remoteness of the location.

In the case of an expedition to a remote area where no medical facilities exist, the party will have to be self sufficient. Specialist advice must be obtained regarding the contents of a medical kit since it is likely to require such items as antibiotics, strong pain killers and other prescription drugs. The contents of this type of kit are not covered here.

For lots more information on expedition medicines go to this web site:-

Traveldoctor.co.uk

If you are going on an organised trip to a diving resort or on a live aboard you should take a small medical kit with you to treat the conditions that most commonly occur among travellers. It may not be possible to obtain the medicines when they are needed.

Because there are so many medicines and first aid items to choose from, it can be difficult to know exactly what to take. The following lists have been compiled in order to help you to choose appropriate items for inclusion in your kit.

Most of the items listed below should be available in major towns and cities, but may not be available at the dive resort. Another problem is the difference in the names of certain drugs in different countries and making yourself understood when trying to obtain them.

The medical kit should contain some or all of the items listed below. It is unlikely that every item will be required but each item may be required and therefore should be considered for inclusion in the kit.

The kit is designed to be shared amongst a group of people and therefore exclude items of a personal nature such as items for personal hygiene, contraception, etc. Each individual should be encouraged to carry the following items:-

Sun cream or lotion of a sufficiently high factor for the area visited.
After sun lotion just in case.
Lip Salve.
Insect repellent (containing DEET or similar

The Medical Kit

As already mentioned; the number in the party, length of stay, the area visited and local facilities will determine the exact contents of the kit but you should consider taking some or all of the following items.

The list of Travel Medicines

Loperamide Capsules 2mg - For the treatment of diarrhoea - Take two capsules at the onset followed by one capsule with every loose motion up to a maximum of six capsules in 24 hours. e.g. Imodium, Arret.
Domperidone Tablets 10mg - For the treatment of nausea, vomitting, stomach cramps and bloating associated with stomach upsets and mild food poisoning. Take one tablet three times a day. e.g. Motilium.
Dioralyte Sachets - For replacing body fluids following dehydration, diarrhoea etc. - Dissolve the contents of one sachet in approx. 200ml of drinking water.
Antacid Tablets - For the relief of indigestion, heartburn & trapped wind - Suck or chew One or two tablets as required up to a maximum of twelve in 24 hours. e.g. Setlers, Andrews Antacid.
Paracetamol Tablets - For the treatment of mild to moderate pain, feverishness, colds & flu. - Take two tablets when required up to a maximum of eight in 24 hours.
Co-Codamol Tablets - For the treatment of moderate to severe pain - Take two tablets when required up to a maximum of eight in 24 hours. WARNING: these tablets also contain Paracetamol and not more than a total of eight should be taken in 24 hours if taken in conjunction with paracetamol tablets.
Ibuprofen Tablets 200mg - For the relief of pain and Inflammation including muscular pain, neuralgia, rheumatic pains, dental pain and period pains. - Take two tablets three times a day as required. e.g. Nurofen.
Pseudoephedrine Tablets 60mg - A decongestant of the of the mucous membranes of the nose and sinuses and used for the symptomatic relief of colds, flu, sinusitis and allergic rhinitis. Take one tablet three times a day. e.g. Sudafed.
Antihistamine Tablets - For relief of allergic conditions such as hay fever and also for relief of insect bites and nettle rash. - Take one tablet daily. e.g. Clarityn, Zirtek.
Cinnarizine Tablets 15mg - For the treatment of motion sickness, nausea and vertigo. - Take two tablets 2 hours before travelling then one every eight hours as required or one tablet three times a day. e.g. Stugeron.
Bisacodyl Tablets 5mg - For the treatment of constipation. Take two tablets at night. e.g. Dulcolax Tablets.
Hydrocortisone Cream 1% - For the treatment of skin rashes, insect bites, nettle rash, skin allergies etc. Apply sparingly twice daily.
Aluminium Acetate Ear Drops - For the prevention of "Swimmers Ear" or otitis externa. After the last dive of the day, wash out and thoroughly dry the ear canal without poking anything into it, then instil four drops into each ear canal and hold it there for a few minutes with cotton wool or tissue.
Hypromellose Eye Drops 10ml - Used to replace natural tears to relieve dry eyes and to help lubricate the eyes. Instil two drops into the affected eyes when required. The drops are sterile until opened and should be discarded 28 days after opening.

The First Aid Kit

Antiseptics - Savlon cream & Savlon Dry spray.
Plasters - assorted sizes or a single strip.
3" Crepe Bandage.
Small wound dressing.
Non adherent dressings.
Wound closures - Steristrips.
Micropore tape.
Zinc Oxide tape.
Vinegar*- for jellyfish stings.
Alcohol wipes - mediswabs.
Cotton Buds.
Cotton Wool.
Scissors.
Tweezers.
Safety Pins.

* Vinegar can be carried in small sachets
like the ones you get in motorway cafes!

The Sterile Kit

If you are travelling outside Europe, particularly to underdeveloped or third world countries, consider taking with you a set of sterile needles and syringes. In some parts of the world this type of equipment is not always sterile before use so there is an increased risk catching HIV or Hepatitis B. If you do require an injection whilst away, using your own sterile equipment will help to prevent infection.

There is a special kit available from your pharmacy called a "Sterikit - Medical Emergency Travellers Pack". This pack contains:

The Sterile Kit

Syringes
Needles
Pre-Injection Swabs
Non Adherent dressings
Microporous Tape
I.V. Cannula
Blood Giving Set
Alcohol Free Wipes
Butterfly Skin Closures
Dental Needle
Silk Suture
Sterile Gloves
Travellers Booklet
I.D. Card

There is also a travellers dental emergency kit available.

For a range of travel first aid and steri-kits
available on line go to:-

SAA Club 349