Awareness and First Aid

Summer holidays are coming, and many families will be travelling. Whether you’re flying, driving, or catching a bus, Raeesah Varachia, Branch Manager, ER24 Johannesburg West, suggests ways to ensure a safer, healthier experience.

First-aid kit

A travel-friendly first-aid kit is a must and should contain:

  • Basic over-the-counter medications such as painkillers, antihistamines (for allergies), and antacids (for indigestion and heartburn)
  • Plasters, swabs, and gauze dressings
  • Sharp scissors and tweezers
  • Ointments for insect bites, burns, and rashes
  • Sterile disposable gloves and a bottle of distilled water to ensure any cuts and scrapes are kept clean.

Motion sickness

Motion sickness occurs when your brain can’t make sense of information sent from your eyes, ears, and body. Lots of movement – in a car, airplane, boat, or even a funfair ride – can make you feel queasy, clammy and sick to your stomach. If you suffer from motion sickness, take precautions to prevent or alleviate symptoms by:

  • Taking anti-nausea medicines and ginger supplements
  • Choosing your seat wisely:
    • You’ll experience less turbulence in seats situated next to the wings of the airplane
    • Sit in the front seat of the car and focus on the horizon
    • Drinking lots of water and going easy on caffeine and alcohol consumption – whatever mode of transport you’re using
    • Avoiding greasy or spicy foods that worsen motion sickness. Choose fruit, nuts and healthy padkos rather than grabbing fast-food on the road or before your flight.

Road safety

  • Planning to spend long hours on the road?
  • Don’t forget sunscreen for you and the family. Although car windows are usually made of non-laminated glass that protects against UVB light (the main cause of skin reddening and sunburn), UVA rays can still penetrate the skin and cause harm
  • Wear sunglasses to shield your eyes from glare, especially if you’re driving
  • Reduce boredom and fatigue by listening to podcasts, music, or audio books
  • Keep children occupied with toys or tech to minimise back-seat distractions
  • Take frequent breaks and always, always ensure you and your passengers are wearing seatbelts
  • Young children must be safely secured in an age-appropriate car seat.

Travel insurance and vaccinations

  • If you’re travelling to a remote area or planning an action-packed holiday, take out additional travel insurance. In the event of a medical emergency, it’ll save you extra worry about the huge costs of evacuation or a foreign hospital
  • Check whether you need specific vaccinations, such as yellow fever, typhoid and cholera, and possibly antimalarials. Even if they’re not a strict requirement to enter the country, healthcare providers may recommend certain vaccines or medications.