Celebrating National Nurses Day with Tips and Tricks for First Aid on Road Trips and Off-Road Adventures

May 6, 2022

The last few years of pandemic related health issues have made us appreciate our medical care teams more than ever before! Since today is National Nurses Day, we just wanted to give a little extra shout and highlight the hard work of Nurses today. We’re also going to be sharing some First Aid tips and tricks that can help you no matter where life takes you! While these tips and tricks or suggestions cannot replace the professional care of emergency services or medical professionals, it can be helpful in a pinch. Please be sure to always call 9-1-1 and seek hospital care in emergencies; our blog is not meant to be a stand-in for hospitalization, EMT work, etc, but is simply a helpful hint if you’re in a pinch!

What should you keep on hand for emergencies when traveling? Here are some of the suggested items that nurses feel is important to always keep with you on the go!

Protective latex-free gloves (Medium or Large size will fit average adults)
A tube of Burn cream or general First Aid cream
Over the counter pain medication (update frequently for expiration dates!)
A bottle of antiseptic spray or liquid
Rolled gauze and gauze patches
Latex-Free waterproof bandaids and Paper Tape
A Pocket sized first aid kit at bare minimum
A small whistle for gaining attention of passersby
A small flashlight
Rehydration powdered drink mix sticks
Tweezers, small pocket knife, blunt tip scissors

We love a good road trip and off-road excursion, but it’s important to be prepared in case you are faced with an emergency, having these skills can be the difference between life and death until emergency medical services arrive or you can bring a person to hospital facilities. Nurses often recommend that adventure seekers make sure to take a basic Red Cross First Aid course, and Basic First Aid for Children, Babies and Pets. These classes are frequently administered in local schools, churches, hospitals, and many offices for a low-cost or no-cost basis. IApplying techniques to clear airways, keep a heart pumping, or staunch the bleeding on a wound is literally lifesaving. If you’re unable to take a professionally administered class, at least reading on the basics of first aid can prevent serious injury and minimize pain in an emergency situation.

This PDF pamphlet by BleedingControl.org has very easy steps that everyone can learn to stop the bleeding after an injury and safe a life. MedlinePlus has a great written guide to the basics of CPR for adults, children and even infants. If you’re a nurse who wants to brush up your chops, this is a great first aid resource for Basic Life Support that’s really helpful.

For those who care for or are traveling with children, HealthyChildren.org has a great First Aid Guide for Parents and Caregivers. And if you’d like your child to be prepared in event of emergency, you can help your child with disaster preparedness and tips from Eartheasy.com

The Protect Life Store Go Bag First Aid kit is a wonderful budget friendly option with 160 pieces to cover just about every minor medical mishap. Great for packing in the car for family road trips, beach days, hikes, and camping. At the time of this post The Protect Life First Aid Kit is $29.95 on amazon.

The M2 Basics First Aid kit is a multiuse emergency kit that is part emergency preparedness and part basic first aid. If you’re traveling with infants, pets, and adults and doing some offroading or “roughin’ it” camping, this is the kit for you. At the time of publication The 300 Piece Premium First Aid Kit by M2 on sale for $36.88 on amazon.

The Ready America Emergency Roadside Kit is a very thorough survival and first aid kit for just about any situation. You’ll have basic first aid needs covered as well as survival food bars, water, survival blankets, masks, and so much more. It’s in a convenient backpack sized kit and priced at the time of publication on a sale via Amazon for just $40.00.