4 Tips for Being Prepared for Any Travel Situation

Published: February 13, 2015

Whether you're backpacking, on the road, or headed to a far-off, foreign locale, it's imperative to pack properly. After all, you don't want to end up in a situation where you simply have too much to carry or end up stranded without the right supplies. In general, it's important to pack in such a way that you can be prepared in case of an emergency. Though it's impossible to know what your travels will bring, here are four tips for ensuring you're ready for a wide range of emergency situations:

1. Learn about first aid To best understand what materials you may need for a trip, always research the destination beforehand. Knowing the specific conditions of your destination will allow you to select the best first aid, emergency survival, or personal travel kit for any situation. Before packing the kit, familiarize yourself with the supplies inside and read up on how to address minor injuries such as cuts, scrapes, and burns. Knowing where everything is within your travel kit will make it easier to find the supplies you need at a moment's notice. When you travel with family, friends, or other acquaintances, take the time to let others know the location of your travel kit in your luggage, so that anyone can access it if needed.

"Never assume first aid supplies will be available at your destination."

2. Prioritize safety  Never assume that first aid supplies will be available at your destination, especially on an extended trip when you're bouncing from place to place. Make sure that your personal travel kit is always on hand to address injuries and other medical issues. Having the essentials readily available can make all the difference when you're far away from home, and travel kits are organized to be light and easily portable. Put simply, a personal travel kit won't take up a lot of space in your bag and is crucial to have when an unexpected emergency arises. Before you hit the road, double-check your kit to ensure that it is fully stocked and that no supplies have expired.

3. Pack effectively Whether you're the type of traveler who packs light or brings as many overflowing bags as possible, it's imperative to pack your personal travel kit so that it is easily accessible. In case of an emergency, the last thing you want to be doing is digging through all of your clothes and other possessions trying to find first aid supplies. Pack your personal travel kit in an outside pocket of your luggage or backpack so that you can access it efficiently.

4. Plan ahead  If you're traveling internationally, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends carrying copies of your important travel documents, such as medical information, in your luggage. If an emergency happens to you while you're traveling, personal medical information alerts those helping you of allergies, medications, and other important relevant history when providing care.

Vehicle/Travel Products & Accessories
MFASCO's Make a Kit Tool
First Aid Kit #16 Metal DOT ANSI Class A
Travel First Aid Kits

Additional Resources for Vehicle/Travel First Aid Kits & Supplies
Roadside Emergency Preparedness - Infographic
What is in a First Aid Kit?
Essential First Aid Kit Supply List

Contributing Expert

Mike Brinker

Mike Brinker has been working in the first aid industry for over 35 years. He has worked with thousands of businesses,groups, and organizations to provide a healthy and safe work environment. Mike helped create “Make-A-Kit”, the internet's only online first aid kit creation tool. He has also authored many helpful first-aid and safety-related resource articles found at the MFASCO Learning Center.

See all articles from Mike Brinker.