Medical

Obviously medical health is critical to keeping you up and running. It's one of the bigger areas to critically ensure you're covered where you want to be. What are some considerations?

The first thing I think about on the medical side is drugs. Both repetative/maintentance type drugs as well as first aid type drugs. Probably next is first aid items. Then to triage type items. 

Maintenance Type Drugs

How long of a supply do you have? Can you get a longer supply?

Are there alternative drugs you can acquire?

Are there over the counter options?

Do you have a long term plan if pharmaceuticals are not available to acquire?

  First aid drugs?

Theres a great list of first aid kit supplies and medications at the mayo clinic site ( https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-kits/basics/art-20056673 ) : 

" Medications

• Aloe vera gel

• Calamine lotion

• Anti-diarrhea medication

• Laxative

• Antacids

• Antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine

• Hydrocortisone cream

• Cough and cold medications

• Personal medications that don't need refrigeration

• Auto-injector of epinephrine, if prescribed by your doctor

• Pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others)

Consider keeping aspirin in your first-aid kit, as well. Aspirin may be life-saving in an adult with chest pain. If you or someone else has new or unexplained chest pain or may be having a heart attack, call for emergency medical help immediately. Then chew a regular-strength aspirin. However, don't take aspirin if you are allergic to aspirin, have bleeding problems or take another blood-thinning medication, or if your doctor previously told you not to do so.

Never give aspirin to children. "

First Aid Kit

Mayo also hase a good list of first aid kit supplies:

Basic supplies

• Adhesive tape

• Elastic wrap bandages

• Bandage strips and "butterfly" bandages in assorted sizes

• Super glue

• Rubber tourniquet or 16 French catheter

• Nonstick sterile bandages and roller gauze in assorted sizes

• Eye shield or pad

• Large triangular bandage (may be used as a sling)

• Aluminum finger splint

• Instant cold packs

• Cotton balls and cotton-tipped swabs

• Disposable nonlatex examination gloves, several pairs

• Duct tape

• Petroleum jelly or other lubricant

• Plastic bags, assorted sizes

• Safety pins in assorted sizes

• Scissors and tweezers

• Hand sanitizer

• Antibiotic ointment

• Antiseptic solution and towelettes

• Eyewash solution

• Thermometer

• Turkey baster or other bulb suction device for flushing wounds

• Sterile saline for irrigation, flushing

• Breathing barrier (surgical mask)

• Syringe, medicine cup or spoon

• First-aid manual

• Hydrogen peroxide to disinfect

So where do you keep your fist aid supplies?

At a minimum, it seems appropriate to have a kit at home, in each vehicle, any destinations (cabins, campers etc), and in any caches intended for mobility such as a bugout bag. It certainly makes sense to consider keeping a small first aid kit on you at all times. Maybe some bandaids and your favorite headache medication?