Most useful items to pack-medical mission

[JustJen]

Hi Everyone-

I am planning on going on a Medical mission trip to the Caribbean and wondered....for those of you who have done mission trips, what are the most important things to pack? The obvious is bug spray and hand sanitizer, but what else do you consider "essential"? The organization I am traveleing with will be responsible for medical supplies, I am thinking of strictly personal items.

Thanks

[ernightlife]

Zofran 4mg ODT--a doctor I work with suggested it when I went on a medical mission trip this summer. I don't usually get stomach upset, but I think everyone on my team (including me) needed one or two at some point during the trip. Everyone said how glad they were that I brought them.

Enjoy!

[Freedom42]

Solar shower bag. Fill with water, leave outside, come home to hot shower at the end of the day.

Never encountered the aforementioned lice problem. I did pop Flagyl at the airport on my way home, though.

[noyesno, MSN, APRN, NP]

Hand sanitizer.

[MaryAnn_RN]

a head torch might be useful

[blueyesue]

For malaria prevention take Doxycycline. It also protects against cholera and skin infections.

Definitely bring lots of cotton T-shirts and undies. You will probably be sweating a lot!!

[socalmedic]

I am looking for a few good organizations to go on medical missions with, as my church recently stopped. i cant figure out how to PM on here but any information you may have would be greatly appreciated. [email protected]

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

Something to flavor the water with - Crystal Light, Kool-aid, anything (non-caffeinated), because sometimes even though the water is purified it may still taste awful. Gatorade might be best - if you get diarrhea you will be grateful for some electrolyte replacement.

Ditto the sanitizer, wet wipes, and tampons. The wipes are also good for 'personal hygiene' when there is no running water.

Shake out your shoes before you put them on. Creepy crawlies that bite like to hide in shoes. And take sturdy shoes wherever you go. I wore my Birkenstocks all over Haiti and never wore anything else, but we weren't trekking through the jungle either. If you're doing that, thick boots and good socks are a must.

I took all kinds of stuff to give the kids - crayons, paper, pencils (it puts a lot in perspective to see kids writing in the dirt with sticks for lack of pencils/paper). Bubble liquid. Shoes. I tried to shy away from candy, mostly because it is empty calories; not the best idea for people already malnourished.

You will come back a different person.