Expeditions
Usually expedition organizers provide the main medical kit. Plus most expeditions will expect you to carry a small kit carrying more general items such as plasters, pain killers and any personal medication you may be taking. Keep your nails short, wash your hands frequently and use only your own eating & drinking equipment, as gut infections often spread like wild fire in the close contact of expedition groups. Don’t let your personal hygiene slip, even in situations where you cannot wash properly, use wet wipes.
Inform your expedition medical officer or organizer of any health worries or problems before you leave – your insurance may be invalidated if you don’t.
Overland
Your medical kit has to cover most minor eventualities including first aid, medication and creams, sterile equipment, rehydration and water purification. The all-in-one kits would be your best choice with malaria tablets added. Consider carrying a malaria treatment if you are traveling off the beaten track more than 24 hours from reliable medical help. It may be very difficult to establish personal hygiene routines if you are constantly on the move – wet wipes can save the day, but it is important to keep the necessary ‘toiletries’ to hand to enable you to grab every opportunity.
City
Here you can get away with a much smaller kit. Take the generic name of treatments and medication with you so you do not need to buy from a local pharmacy. Always carry rehydration salts with you for travel to any hot country. In case you plan to take short trips out of the city, you should consider a more comprehensive kit as well as a sterile kit. Your biggest threat is other peoples’ lack of hygiene – keep washing your hands.
Jungle
Your kit should contain a strong antiseptic, masses of rehydration powders, treatments for fungal infections and a variety of other medicines. Every day you should carry out a leech, cuts and grazes check: leeches need to be carefully removed and the wound immediately treated with antiseptic; cuts and grazes – no matter how small – need to be cleaned, disinfected and covered with a dry dressing. Remember that any open wound can turn into a chronic tropical ulcer if not treated properly. In the areas prone to fungal infections (armpits, groin, feet) you need to keep as clean and dry as possible with constant washing with soap and a liberal dusting of talc after drying – a compact towel is ideal for this as it can be used for washing and drying plus its rot-proof qualities mean it is resilient to bacteria. If you are already infected use a good anti-fungal powder.
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