Our Medical Kit

We spent the last few days before leaving running around trying to put together a medical kit that would be comprehensive, but not over the top. We are two hours from a small district hospital, and about three hours from a proper hospital. We cannot cover every eventuality, but with the kids, you also don't want to be caught short at 3am unable to get to a doctor quickly.

I have taken the same approach that Quinten Tarantino's character had in True Romance, rather have a gun and not need it, than need a gun and not have it.

We spent quite a bit of time compiling this, and spoke to various doctors and medical people and looked at what was in kits of people in similar situations.

I do know that we could probably replace just about everything with natural and organic alternatives, and we will move in that direction.

Because it was such a mission getting our kit together, I thought I would list it for interest, in case anybody needed one. (Other people might you know!)

But for now, and with our time limitations we'll go with this for now.

Our kit consists of:

IV Drip Pack - rehydration mix

Orelox Junior -Broad Spectrum Antibiotic -Treatment of infections
Menthol Ointment - Cream - Camphor Chest Rub
Vermox -Tablets & syrup -De-worming medication
Imodium / Chloropect -Tablets & syrup -Anti-diarhea medication
Inza - Tablets - Anti Inflamatory
Eno / Rennies - Tablets & Sachets - Relief of Heartburn & indigestion
Bactroban - Cream - Antibacterial Cream
Ponstel - Syrup - Fever, aches & inflammations
Rehidrate & Cera - Salt sachets - Oral rehydration salts
Anthisan, Mylocort & Mepyrimal - Cream - Relieves skin reactions, stings & bites
Iodine tincture - Tincture - Antiseptic for wounds
Phyto Nova - Syrup - Natural Remedy for Coughs
Panado - Paediateric Syrup - Relief of Pain & Fever
Panado - Tablets - Relief of Pain & Fever
Medi-keel - Lozengers - Relief of throat pain
MedLemon - Powder Sachets - Cold & Flu Relief
Buscopan - Syrup & Tablets - Antispasmotic, relief of cramps
Similasan / Aurone - Ear Drops - Relief of ear pain
Eyegene & Safyr Bleu - Eye Drops - Soothes eyes
Salex - Solution - Saline nasal spray
Loratadine - Syrup - Antihistamien for allergic reactions, Allergic Symptoms
Allergex - Tablets - Antihistamine for allergic reactions, Allergic Symptoms
Myprodol - Capsules - Pain Killers
Adco - Syrup - Bronchodilator, Mucolytic - Cough Relief
Mercurochrome - Tincture -Antiseptic for wounds
Rinex - Syrup -Relief of Post Nasal Drip
Corsodyl - Mouthwash - Antibacterial Relief of mouth ulcers & gingivitis
Dynexan - Cream - Oral anaesthetic
Rescue Remedy - Tablets - Natural remedy for shock anxiety and sleeplessness
Hydrogen Peroxide - Solution - Antiseptic for wounds
Med Lemon - Syrup - Relief of Dry Coughs
Sinu-med - Tablets - Relief of Sinusirritation and hay fever
Calamine / Caladryl - Lotion - Itch Reliever
Brooklax - Tablets - For Relief of constipation
Ponstan Paediateric Suppositories - Suppositories for Relief of Fever
Thermometers - digital & mercury
Scissors - Two pairs
Tweezers
Dropper
Sterile gloves - Two sizes
Sterile scalpel
10 ml syringe
5 ml syringe
2 ml syringe
20cc. Irrigation Syringe
Green needles
Blue needles
Orange needles
IV Cannula
4/0 silk sutures pack
Suture needle
Snake bite kit (still to be ordered when we get there)
Medisan Gel - Antiseptic hand wash
Heat Packs
Cooler Pack
Face masks
Tongue Depressors
Medicine Measure Spoons
Eye Patches
Space Blanket
Savlon - Liquid Antiseptic
Batadine / Detol - Antiseptic Cream
Arnica Cream - Bruise and Sprain ointment
Plasters - Mixed Boxes
Bandages - 5 x Rolls
Cotton Wool - 2 x Rolls
Gauze Swabs - 1 x Big Packet
Hydrofilm - Water Proof Plasters
Plaster Roll
Micropore
Insect Repelant - Various
Doxycyclone Capsules - Tick bite fever and general braod spectrum antibiotic for adults
Hyospasmol Tablets - Relief od gastro intestinal spasm
Asthavent Inhaler - For relief of closed chest and laboured breathing
Burn Shield - Burn Dressing & Cream
Sterile Burn Dressing

Our New Solar System

We received our solar system today. So for any of you needing or thinking about putting in any solar system, here is what we are going with initially. The system is really just to power our two laptops, charge cell phones, charge small batteries for torches etc. The whole thing cost just under ZAR25,000 ($2,500), and has been put together by the suppliers so that I can jsut plug it in and go.

We will keep a note of how it operates and functions.

In the photo I have left my leatherman on the panel for scale.

This is one panel, the other two are still in their box.

The system consists of:

3 x 80 watt solar panels

An aluminium mount, frame and cables

1 x solar regulator with digital display.

3 x 100 amp hour batteries

1 x modified inverter

We will be cooking with open fire and gas, the small fridge/freezer that we have runs on gas, and for lighting we will be using LED lamps and candles. So this system really is just to keep our office going.

Hopefully I won't look like a tit when I try and put it all together.

Wikipedia will definitely be used.

One more day to go before we head off

We are both absolutely exhausted and neither of us has been to bed before 2am for about the last week. In light of this, and the fact that we still had quite a bit of loading tonight which would have meant being up to at least midnight, we are spending tomorrow morning doing some last minute chores, and then having an early evening, getting in a good night sleep, and heading off on Sunday morning.

I think it was a good call. Two days solid driving with trailer, kids, dog and the roof piled high, on 4 of 5 hours sleep over the course of a week, was not something I was looking forward to doing. Feel much better leaving on Sunday after a really good sleep.

The girls left today with Sonja's mom, Louise. We will see them on the 10th once we have got a loo and shower set up. She is taking them on a two day train trip to Port Elizabeth, and from there taking a slow drive up to us, spending a few days in the Addo Elephant park doing some game viewing. They are having a ball and phoned from the train very excited about their private sleeper compartment and all of the little knick-knacks they have been given.

We have farmed out all the pets except the decrepit one. Bugger.

The snake went to a family in Noordhoek, and included a live mouse feeding session as training.

Three of the hamsters have found a new home, and the last one heads off tomorrow.

One of the dogs is getting picked up tomorrow at 1pm, which will leave sedgewick.

Sonja after the move looking a little contemplative.

We are now down to one mattress, so Sonja has passed out upstairs with Caleb next to her.

The dogs are looking at me suspiciously as I eye their blankets and baskets.

House is now empty, the only furniture remaining is one mattress.

Can't wait for Sunday morning to finally be on the road.

We drive from Cape Town, via Beaufort West, Aberdeen, and Graff Reinet to overnight in Cradock. This should be about 12 hours with the trailer restricting our speed.

On day two we drive via Queenstown and Mthatatha through to the village. This will be about 10 hours. So Monday evening we should be enjoying a beer in Bulungula.

Can't wait.