From jellyfish stings to all-nighters on the island, here’s a handy survival guide for your vacation
Summer is definitely here, you’ve requested your vacation time, and the only thing standing between you and total relaxation is packing. And while we all spend hours picking out the right outfits and the right sunscreen, there’s one little “hero” we usually forget about until we desperately need it: the vacation first-aid kit.
So you don’t end up searching for a 24-hour pharmacy in the island’s most remote village at 3 a.m., we’ve put together a list of the absolute essentials you need to pack in your bag.
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Make yourself a cup of coffee, grab a pen and paper, and take notes!
- "First aid" for the sun and your skin
The sun is our friend, but sometimes it goes a bit too far. For those moments when you dozed off for a bit at midday, you’ll need:
- Soothing aloe cream or gel: For those inevitable sunburns (because, let’s be honest, we’ve all forgotten to reapply sunscreen at some point).
- Insect repellent and an after-bite stick: Mosquitoes love summer just as much as you do. A mild hydrocortisone cream (1%) or an ammonia-based gel will save you from the itching.
- “First aid” for your stomach
Trying out the local tavernas and sipping cocktails by the water are a must, but sometimes our stomachs have other ideas.
- Antidiarrheals and electrolytes: A change in water and food can bring surprises. Electrolytes will keep you hydrated in case your body… rebels.
- Motion sickness pills: If the boat ride (or the twists and turns of the rural roads) makes you feel dizzy, don’t set out without them.
- For pain and minor injuries
From a late night out to a misstep in the alleys, prevention is key.
- Pain relievers / Fever reducers: Paracetamol or Ibuprofen for a hangover headache or a sudden fever. Remember to bring a thermometer just in case.
- The “minor injury kit”: A few self-adhesive bandages, sterile gauze pads, an antiseptic spray, and a pair of tweezers (ideal for sea urchins).
Last-minute tip: If you’re on long-term medication, make sure you have enough with you to last the entire duration of your vacation, plus an extra 2–3 days to account for any delays on ferries or planes.
Sunburn: How can you tell if you’ve gotten sunburned?
Sunburn doesn’t come with a warning, but it does send some clear “signs” that you should never ignore. If you or someone in your group experiences the following after spending hours in the sun, it’s time to pack up your umbrella:
- The classic headache: An intense, throbbing pain in the head accompanied by nausea or a queasy feeling.
- Dizziness and weakness: Your legs feel “like lead,” you feel unsteady, or you experience sudden, unexplained exhaustion.
- Your skin “flushes”: Your skin is red, hot, and dry (you stop sweating, which means your body has run out of fluids to cool itself down).
- Rapid heartbeat and rapid breathing: Your heart beats strongly as it tries to cope with the overheating.
The Sunburn “First Aid Kit”
If, the following symptoms appear, immediately move the affected person to a shaded and cool place (ideally with air conditioning or a fan) and use the following:
1. To lower the body temperature immediately
Plenty of cool water: Not just for hydration, but mainly for external use.
Small towels or handkerchiefs: Wet them with cool water and place them on the back of your neck, forehead, armpits, and groin. These are the key areas for quickly lowering your body temperature.
2. To Replenish Fluids
Electrolyte packets: Heatstroke is always accompanied by severe dehydration. Plain water isn’t enough, as valuable minerals have been lost. Dissolve the electrolytes in cool water and give them to the person in small, slow sips—and only if they are fully conscious.
3. For pain
Paracetamol: This will help with a severe headache. Caution, however: The “fever” associated with heatstroke will not subside with medication unless the body is cooled externally.
SOS Rule: If there is severe confusion, vomiting, or loss of consciousness, never give anything by mouth (there is a risk of aspiration) and call 166 immediately.
Snake bite. Will I survive, doctor?
So, if a hike on a trail or a camping trip leads to an unpleasant encounter with a snake (in Greece, only the viper is dangerous), forget all about those Hollywood movies with the “sucking out” of venom and act calmly by following 3 simple steps before getting in the car to go to the hospital:
Step 1 – Complete immobility: Keep the victim completely still and in a sitting or lying position (with the injured limb lower than the heart), as movement and panic accelerate blood circulation and the spread of the poison.
Step 2 – Remove jewelry: Immediately remove rings, watches, or bracelets from the affected hand or foot, because the swelling that follows will be severe and may cut off circulation.
Step 3 – Cleaning and Loose Bandaging: Clean the wound with an antiseptic and wrap the area loosely with a standard bandage (so that you can fit your finger underneath), without using a tight rubber band or tourniquet.
(Extra tip: If it’s safe, take a quick photo of the snake with your phone to show the doctors!)
And now that we’ve covered the most likely and unlikely scenarios, let’s move on to the suitcase.
Of course, if you’re not the organized type and have your own trusted pharmacist, stop by before your trip to put your mind at ease…
So, pack up your first-aid kit, put it in your suitcase, and off we go to the beach.
Have a great summer—and hopefully you won’t need it!
Source: in.gr
