What would you put in a medical "goodey bag?"

[ralphy]

I've not dived a great deal and have only been on one very enjoyable liveaboard in Thailand thus far.  That trip taught me one or two things about what I should consider taking with me if I am to embark on an extended (especially offshore) dive trip.

I suffered greatly with headaches in the last couple of days of the trips, as well as skinning my heels on ill-fitting fins when I did not have bootees!  Additionally I saw a couple of people with ear infections and one Japanese guy with a funny looking rash on his arm and hand because he insisted on carressing a reef.

Now, I had sod-all with me to deal with any of these things and would certainly not make the same mistake in the future.  

So what would you all put in your medical kit when going on a trip?

Answers on a postcard!

[Lou]

Ours usually consists of something like

- Arrett (diarrhea stoppers)
- Dioralyte (rehydration powders)
- Ibuprofen (painkiller/anti-inflammatory)
- Antiseptic cream
- Anti histamine cream
- plasters
- seasickness remedy (usually ginger based herbal ones)
- Herbal sleeping tablets if a long journey is involved
- tweezers

And other odds and sods depending on location...

[Richie]

Talisker or Bowmore - expensive as a lotion but sorts everything else

[Phill]

Plus toothache tincture, oxygen, roll of insulating tape, rehydration stuff, dehydration stuff (Lambs).
Really depends where you are, what everyone else has got.

[Dr Stevil]

in addition to the above:
Blistex, zovirax (for those unfortunate enough to need it), olive oil and or dilute vinegar(acetic acid) for prevention of ear infection, undiluted vinegar (or if you can get it 30% Acetic acid)in case of jellyfish/anemone/coral stings
not to mention some bandages and splints just in case.
DEET (as strong as you can get) if you're going to Scotland (f***ing evil midges!)
Chee-az
Steve
Listerine too, I can't be absolutely sure, but based on personal and subjective experience I believe even very mild gum inflammation can cause a form of tooth-squeeze pain, not very pleasant

(Edited by Steve W at 2:25 pm on Jan. 30, 2003)

[Tim Ingmire]

This is becoming a very big first-aid bag - so instead of taking vinegar, if you get stung or have ear problems get someone to pee on you!  Aiming directly down the ear maybe a problem tho.

So, when I book my livaboard I'm gonna make sure it full of a female div team.







I shouldn't really have said that should I.

[Gavin Yates]

My god "Golden Shower Ingmire". No wonder the missus rarely lets you out!

[ralphy]

Yes, perhaps the female dive team would be a bonus in the event of the peeing-ear remedy.  If the boat has videoing facilities you could ...

Enough of that methinks!

Another thing, what about something for sinus/blocked nose type of problem?  I was told about something called SUDAFED, but can't remember if it was for such a problem.  Or, for that matter, whether you can dive whilst taking it (I have a nagging thought in my mind about one commonly available medication posibly falling into this category).

[Dr Stevil]

Tim me auld mukka, I reckon you're gonna live to regret that one, especially if there's any more Zappa fans out there ;)


Extract from Bobby Brown by Frank Zappa

Eventually me 'n a friend
Sorta of drifted along into S&M
I can take about an hour on the tower of power
'Long as I gets a little golden shower

http://globalia.net/donlope/fz/lyric...uti.html#Bobby

[Tim Ingmire]

Cheers guys thats not really what I meant!  Ralphy was actually closer the mark.  

Lets face it if you are stung which would you rather, Hairy-arsed BSAC diver or Tanya Streeter?