Fly Prepared: Pack A First Aid Kit That Will Get Past TSA Bouncers

As everyone knows, going through airport security today is a hassle. All your belongings are screened, and if the security guards still are not satisfied you’re legit, they’ll pull you aside and pat you down. (While all the other travelers are staring.)

Yes, we need some level of screening. Unfortunate events in recent history have proved as much. It just seems at times that they over do it. And this can affect those who like to pack a first aid kit in carry on luggage.

I thought about this recently while flying. I wondered how many people carry first aid supplies with them when they fly.
Why might you want to carry a first aid kit with you? I can think of a couple reasons:

1. You’d like to be prepared in case something happens while in the air. My wife once had scalding coffee spilled on her. Fortunately I had some burn cream with me to help soothe the pain. I’m sure the aircraft has a first aid kit somewhere, but you can reach your carryon much quicker.
2. You want to have a first aid kit with you when you arrive at your destination, and can get by without checking any luggage. Or, you’re concerned your checked luggage will get lost.

Because you never know when or where an incident will occur, I feel it’s important to have some first aid supplies with you at all times. I usually have some band-aids,gloves, tape and handi-wipes on me, and keep a penlight and bottle of Advil in my suitcase.

Plus, many of us 4-wheelers carry first aid supplies all the time. We’re so accustomed to having a first aid kit while going off-road, we naturally pack some supplies when flying.

What kind of kit should you pack? It should be small yet compact (that is, stuffed with useful items and supplies), and its case should be waterproof. Start with a typical first aid kit found at the store. It will contain most of what you need, and can be improved with some tweaking.

I suggest either the Sportsman or the Smart Travel model from Adventure Medical. You can find these kits at better outdoors retailers. BTW, I like the wound care list of supplies better in the Sportsman model. But I like the medication selection in the Smart Traveller model.

First, inspect the contents for items that may raise eyebrows at the airport. The most likely candidate is a pair of scissors. Thankfully, the government has loosened restrictions items with sharp edges. As long as the blades are less than 4 long you can bring scissors aboard. I believe tweezers are also permitted, but keep under 4 to be safe.
The restriction pertaining to liquids and gels still applies, so you will need to put burn creams, hand sanitizers and other first aid items into a one quart plastic bag along with your tooth paste.

The TSA’s Web site offers more information on permitted and prohibited items. Note that many items that cannot be packed in your carry on are still permitted in checked baggage.

One drawback to first aid kits is that they’re slim in some supplies. You may find just one or two single-use packets of Neosporin®, for example, and a couple small packets of ibuprofren (Advil, Motrin) and Tylenol. Pack a tube of Neosporin and small 10 tab tubes of Advil and Tylenol (found at many drugstores).

Inspect your kit frequently. Certain products, like pain killers and other pills, have a shelf life. Others deteriorate over time. Band-aids are known to lose their stickiness after several years. Foil packets occasionally get torn or punctured, allowing the material inside to evaporate or dry out. There’s nothing more frustrating than opening a first aid kit and finding everything is shot.
It’s always better to have a thoughtfully designed first aid kit. Take the time now to create a useful first aid kit for flying. It’ll be nearby should the need arise while flying, and at your fingertips when you arrive at your destination.