Recently
I have been encouraging my girlfriend to put together a small medical kit for
her use. In a previous blog I mentioned that I came across a first aid pouch in
the local 99p store. I would have paid that for just the pouch but it also came
with a number of medical items. Not enough to constitute a full medical kit,
but a useful start. I looked on line for something similar for my lady and came
across a pouch that claimed to hold 23 medical items. The contents include 15
plasters of three different sizes and even a small set of scissors. Not a full
medical kit, but a good starting point. I presented this to her with a handful
of additional alcohol wipes and the suggestion that she add some painkillers.
At
the same time I presented her with a bundle of ziplock bags. Many of the
contents of this pouch are loose and would be vulnerable to water. Hence, ziplock
bags.
A
stock of such bags is recommended since many items of your travelling or
emergency kit will need their additional protection. It is also a good idea to
include some spare bags in your kit. Suppose, for an example, that you need to
change location and need to leave a message for anyone that might come looking
for you. A piece of paper from your notebook will not last long in the rain and
the ink will run. A spare bag will solve this problem.
Of
course, wet ink is not a problem if your kit includes a pencil. In similar vein
I will pass on a tip that I encountered decades ago but that I do not often see
repeated. This is to include some chalk in your kit. Chalk can be used to leave
messages, mark locations and indicate routes. Ideally have a piece of light
chalk and also a darker colour for contrast when writing on lighter surfaces.
The Books
