Adventure Medical Kits Smart Travel First Aid

Now here’s a pouch full of goodies that you definitely should have along on all sorts of outings – backcountry excursions, road trips, business travel – you name it.  It even comes with a copy of Dr. Eric Weiss’ Comprehensive Guide to Wilderness and Travel Medicine.  Between the guide and the items in AMK’s Smart Travel kit, you can properly treat dang near anything that’s ailin’ you. Got the McGurgles in your gut?  No problem, grab a packet of Almag Plus from the Smart Travel medical kit and you’ll be on your way to feeling right as rain again.  AMK’s Smart Travel Kit has all the essentials needed for 1 or two people on a several-day trip.  There’s plenty of supplies to treat blisters, minor cuts and scrapes, burns – the typical owies that you may discover after a wild night in Mexico City, perhaps.

The Smart Travel kit is just what the name says it is – smart.  Medications and supplies are seperated into different zippered sections, making it easy to locate exactly what you are looking for.  Also, a Visual Communication Tool will help you describe to someone what the heck is wrong with you after that wild night in Mexico City, so you’ll live to tell the tale.  The Smart Travel kit isn’t one of those “use and lose” items, either.  It’s totally refillable via the interwebs at www.refillyourkit.com.

The only thing that I’d include in a first aid/medical kit like this would be a pair of nail clippers.  If you’ve ever whacked your toe really hard and busted off part of your toenail, believe me – you’ll consider that a medical emergency.  Nail clippers are useful for all sorts of medical situations, so think about throwing in a pair.

For complete specs and more information on the Smart Travel kit, visit www.adventuremedicalkits.com.

Ben’s 100 Max Deet Tick & Insect Repellent Spray

Sometimes regular old bug juice will get the job done.  Sometimes not, and that’s where Ben’s 100 Max Deet Tick & Insect Repellent Spray comes into the picture.  Creepy crawlies want nothing more to do with you once they realize they are outgunned by the baddest of all repellents – 100% Deet.  Just the name Deet scares ticks and mosquitoes.  But, it also scares your super fancy synthetic gear, so save the Ben’s 100 Max Deet for only the most extreme situations.  Think I’m pulling your leg?  Take a look here on Sectionhiker.com and see for yourself.  You’ve been warned.

Going on a little paddle down the Amazon?  Hiking in the Everglades?  Better bring along some Ben’s.  For most situations, Tender Corporation’s Natrapel Wipes does the trick for me, but during the summer months at a lot of places in Florida something a little more potent is needed.  In fact, at a recent rainy hike at Rice Creek Preserve, Natrapel Wipes were no match for the weather and finch-sized mosquitoes, so I fended them off with a few quick squirts of Ben’s 100% Deet.  Worked like a charm.

Get the full scoop on where you can snag a bottle of Ben’s 100 Max Deet Tick and Insect Repellent Spray at the Adventure Medical Kits website.

Natrapel Wipes

Sometimes insect repellent in a pump bottle or spray can is, well, overkill.  Ladies, I know you don’t need to lug around a whole can of bug juice in your purse.  This also works for the fellas who decide they are secure enough with their manliness to accessorize with a man purse.  Or fanny pack.  Whatever, you get the idea.

The perfect solution to all this is Tender Corporations’ Natrapel Wipes, which come individually-wrapped in a 2″ x 3″ package.  It’s like a wet-nap with insect-repelling properties.  The active ingredient behind these magic wipes is Picaridin (20%), an effective alternative to Deet.  And we all know about how well synthetic gear and Deet get along, right?  The two get along about as well as a pit bull and a raw steak (how’s that for a comparison).  Deet will literally dissolve  synthetic materials, so that snazzy new rain shell you are sporting won’t end up with huge holes in it if you stick with the Natrapel Wipes.

So, do they actually work?  Here in Florida, we have a slight insect problem.  And by slight I mean we have mosquitoes that will suck the life right out of you, or will tote you away like that crazy winged dude from Jeepers Creepers.  Who wants to end up like that?  The Natrapel Wipes work, keeping those winged devils at bay for reportedly up to eight hours.  For me, I got about 4 hours of decent use from one wipe, using it to cover exposed skin on the face, arms, and neck.  If you are in an area that’s less humid, you probably will see better results before having to use another wipe. The wipes are also effective against ticks, so feel free to hit up those lower legs and ankles as well.

Get yourself some Natrapel wipes and toss in your pack, they work well and are super convenient. For more information, click here to be whisked away to the Natrapel Wipes page at Adventure Medical Kits.