It’s
been almost a month since I have posted on my Blog but maybe this post will be
useful to some of you preparing for your next holiday. I like to try and link some of the posts, and
this one is no exception. Leading on
from the last post about two good Samaritans that helped me out prior to my
holiday, part of this post is also about being a Good Samaritan for those of
you who are First Aid trained and hold a current first aid qualification.
The
latter part of my working life involved preparedness and contingency planning
for organisational resilience. In many
ways I am safety conscious and alert how we should prepare, but as always I
offer my tips and ideas on a no liability basis for you to accept or reject as
you see fit. Just because I mention it
here; doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s right or accurate. This bit of preparedness is for those of you who
are going on a cruise holiday and by default in any close quarter environment
(land based holidays equally apply) where you may encounter a Gastro Illness commonly
referred to by the trade as a GI event.
Along
with any traveler first aid kit that you might carry, consider packing:
·
In all cases; an alcoholic gel hand cleanser sanitizer
with a lockable cap for carrying in your handbag or man-bag when you are out
and about on shore excursions (there are various brands available and a fair
sized item should only cost somewhere around £4.50 or less),
·
A supply of hygienic surface wipes for your
stateroom and when you are out and about on the dreaded coach where everyone
and anyone touches and sneezes over things,
·
A supply of Dioralyte or similar rehydration brand sachets for
your group as it is unlikely that you will be able to purchase them in the
on-board shop (a supply of sachets of
oral electrolyte powder should come in at circa £3.50 or less, so this is
another low cost item),
·
A supply of sturdy plastic cups or beakers for
your group as the Cruise line may remove all glasses from your stateroom during
a GI event,
·
If you are diabetic, then a supply of Glucose
Boost from your Pharmacy as it is unlikely that you will be able to pick up Lucozade
or similar glucose based drinks on-board the ship and you may need a glucose
boost if your sugar levels drop through sickness and diarrhoea,
·
If you are first aid CPR trained then it is
always a good idea to carry your personal Resusci-aid hygienic barrier for use whilst
giving artificial respiration (I bought my St John Ambulance Personal Protection Kit from Amazon for £2.87 including
P&P so this is not a big cost item and a standalone one way valve Resusci-aid
is even cheaper),
·
During a severe GI event it is probable that
you will come across fellow passengers being sick while out and about on an
excursion, if you are first aid trained and would go to their aid on the basis
that something else may be wrong with the casualty; then it might be a good
idea to carry your own small supply of disposable gloves,
·
Your common sense, just because a GI event is
ongoing, that doesn’t mean that the person in your group is ill from that event
and he/she may have something else wrong with them, so please remain alert and
do not assume anything,
·
2 x your supply of medication for the duration
of the vacation plus a few days in case of any delays. I pack one full supply in my carry-on bag and
another full supply inside one of the suitcases. A full supply in both in case either the bag
or the suitcase is lost or stolen. (In
all cases remove all medication from your bag and suitcase when you reach your
final destination and store all medication out of reach of children by making
use of any lockable safe or other secure storage facility),
The
Resusci-aid and disposable glove supply may appear to some to be a case of
over-kill. But you are either willing to
step in and try to help a fellow human being or you are not. If you are prepared to step in then it
follows that you also should be health and safety prepared and carry a few
small items in a pouch inside your bag, camera bag, or coat. It just makes good sense.
So
there we have it folks. My take on a bit
of sensible personal protection for you and others in your group that could
become a bit poorly on any holiday where you are mooching around with fellow guests
in a relatively closed environment and sharing the same dining and leisure facilities. All it takes is a couple of bob, and a bit of
common sense. Hopefully you will avoid
the GI, but if it hits you or one of your group then at least you may be better
prepared.
