Honduras
San Pedro Sula East Mission
2013 - 2016

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Missionary First Aid Kit

I recently shared on my Facebook page that I was so happy to talk to missionaries who actually had in their possession a decent first aid kit.  One of my responsibilities as mission mom is to help the missionaries with their health care needs.

I'm telling you . . . . if you are home sick with a fever of 103 degrees, it's not much fun to get out of bed and go looking for medication somewhere in a little village.  And guess what??  Your companion can't go look for it and bring it back!

So for starters . . . I would consider sending some basic over the counter medications and first aid supplies with your missionary!  Keep all medications in their original boxes with instructions and dosage intact.

I personally recommend single purpose medications.  Medications that don't treat every symptom of a cold.  That way you just treat the symptoms that you have . . . congestion, fever, sore throat, headache and not all of the above everytime.

For instance:

Basic Pain relievers
     Ibuprofen
     Tylenol

Antihistamine for allergies or allergic reaction
       Benedryl (great for an allergic reaction but causes drowsiness)
       Claritan

Decongestant
       Sudafed (it's behind the pharmacy counter, just ask)


Heartburn or upset stomach
       Tums
       Pepto-bismal
       Prilosec

Diarrhea
       Kaopectate
       Lomotil
       Immodium (see comments section)

Cough medication
       Cough drops
       Robitussen (something with guaifenisin)
       Mucinex

Cold / flu medication
       One good strong cold medication for when you do have all the signs and symptoms,
       that offers relief for 12 hours.

Rash
       1% Hydrocortisone cream

Athlete's Foot (Missionaries are really prone to getting this, especially in warm climates)
       Anti-fungal powder for everyday use if in a tropical climate
       Lamisil
       Lotrimin

Prescription medications as needed


First aid supplies:
       Tweezers
       Band aids (a variety)
       Hand sanitizer
       Cold pack
       Sterile gauze pads
       Moleskins (for blisters)
       Basic sewing kit
       Thermometer (a must have!!)
       Neosporin
       Antiseptic wipes
       Freezer baggies - quart size - to make additional hot/cold packs
       Booklet or brochure with basic first aid information
       At least a couple pairs of medical latex gloves
       Roller gauze
       2 sizes of Ace wrap



     


BE SURE - that your missionary knows if he/she has allergies to any medications or substances.
Remind your missionaries to always read and follow the label instructions.






     



7 comments:

1of10boyz said...

You missed one that is absolutely necessary in the AD category: loperamide hydrochloride tablets. In the little foil punch plate. Should always have a couple of them in the little white bible. That should get you back home in the event of an attack.

Alicia said...

Dear Sister Klein,
My name is Alicia Robbins and I used to live across the street from your sister-in-law, Brooke. My husband and I were in the Ohio Cincinnati Mission and I taught exactly what you are doing in your mission. It made such a difference in the health of our missionaries. We had the lowest cost of preventable illness and the healthiest missionaries once they realized that they could be responsible to maintain their health. You are doing a great job with this.
One thing we did as a Sisters Conference in the fall, was to have the sisters all come to the mission home and we had an assembly line and made "rice bags" for all the missionary apartments, with instructions to keep them in the freezer and how to microwave them if they needed a warm compress. We had so much fun doing it, and I found rice for months afterward to remember our experience.
Much love and blessings to you, the Presidente and your Missionaries.
~Alicia Robbins

Vanessa said...

I've seen sewing kits listed for first aid in other places too (72 hour kits, etc.), but what would you use it for?

Unknown said...

Great information. I suggest to buy a First aid kit rather than packing all the things manually. I bought my first aid kit from WHSfirstaidkits they are providing various first aid kits that follow Australian health and safety regulations.

abdulbasit11803 said...

Please share more like that.
durable hiking camping waterproof sleeping bag

Johnny Bravo said...

Thanks for the valuable information and insights you have so provided here...
timex ironman watch band

Millard Markley said...

Nice post. Well, what can I say is that these is an interesting and very informative topic on antihistamine

 photo s_03.jpg  photo s_04.jpg  photo s_05.jpg  photo s_06.jpg  photo s_10.jpg