We're traveling next month to a part of the Indian Ocean where medical care is not spectacular (i.e., the guidebooks suggest evacuation to SIN). Scuba diving, catamarning and windsurfing are planned.

It's been suggested to us that we carry a medical kit that includes sterile instruments (e.g, suturing kit, IV needles, etc.) to be provided to medical personnel, in case aseptic equipment is not available to them.

Has anyone followed this advice?

Do you have any suggestions as to how much equipment is necessary?

Has anyone done this since the 9/11 security measures have come into place (even though we'd plan to check the kit in hold baggage, it would look a bit suspicious)?

Thanks,
Greg

Unless you or someone in your party is an MD or such why not buy evacuation insurance and enjoy your trip?

If you are *that* concerned about getting hurt... maybe you should rethink going in the first place?

I had a friend that traveled to Russia quite a bit back in the mid 90s. She used to carry basic supplies such as these because of the conditions. Evacuation insurance is a good idea but will not help when you just need a couple of stitches or need some immediate treatment before evacuation.

I do know that many countries do not have the same standards as in the USA. I have seen:

re-use single use items,after so much resterilization of single-use items the stuff actually breaks down and can fall to bits in your hand

open sterile single dose meds and use part then put tape over the open end and use the rest later

ect...

and this was more because of poor training and ignorance than anything else.

It doesn't happen everywhere but it happens enough. If I were forwarned that the medical situation may be dodgy and I could obtain some basic medical supplies hen I would take them. If you don't need them then donate them to a clinic before you leave.

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Always remember you're unique, just like everyone else.

one could give up a lot of the world by not going. imho, when going on an adventure trip, it is prudent to get a basic medical kit prescribed by your doctor, have your shots updated, & have credit cards that can cover a medevac.

Greg - when I was doing quite a bit of backpacking in hard to access areas and later in SE Asia, I ALWAYS had a basic med kit with me. You can get really good stuff today in any store that sells camping/climbing/etc gear. A basic kit starts at 20 bucks and the better ones will run $100 to $200 depending on how many contingencies you need to cover. The only time we used it (other than minor cuts, burns or pills) was when an outbreak of meninghitis (sp?) broke out in the area of Nepal we were traveling in and we used the sterile kits instead of the local doctor's equipment for the immunization shot.

Thanks for the advice. We have plenty of evac coverage (through Amex Plat and separate diving insurance) and have no concerns about going, but others had raised the issues described by MMP and RS. The big time stuff, clearly you have to go to a real center, but those are 4-5 hours away, so the minorish things, you'd be treated locally.

I've been to plenty of developing countries, but always to capital cities where there was at least one international hospital, so it had never been an issue before.

Thanks again,
Greg

Greg, I've been to many places in the world where I do take such precautions. Not only can you make purchases in a good back packers supply store, but also at Magellan.com. This is the one situation where I do check a bag. I also take a letter from my own doc explaining all and etc.

In addition I take along plenty of CIPRO and some over-the-counter remedies such as Imodiom that I know work. (I usually ditch the wee packets of items and Benedryl and take a package with a quanity of, say, 25.

Of yes, Ace bandages and duck tape!

Have I ever had to use my emergency kit. Yes, in part. Will I do it for trip next? Yes.

I'm not a worrier, but I am a well-trained Boy Scout. I have the Am Ex exac policy also. A cheap deal.

The older I get and the more I travel, the more prepared I prefer to be. Many years of traveling with elder parents taught me to be ready and able.

I love the Indian Ocean and will take the next best opportunity to see it again.

Texana