first aid on a trip

Keep a hospital off your next vacation's itinerary. Like police stations and claims adjusters' offices, emergency rooms suck the fun out of any trip. Even a mild cold or upset stomach can take hula out of your luau. So start by being prepared before you leave with my tips.

If you do get sick, phone home. The delightful doctor you see in this photo is my most trusted physician. More than once on vacation, I've called Dr. Clara Chung for advice. On one trip for my other column, "Food Finds," I awoke with a jet-black tongue, as if I'd licked coal. Panicked, I called Dr. Chung, who figured the culprit was the pink, overthe-counter stomach medicine, swilled the night before after an awful meal. Dr. Chung's advice helped me avoid an unnecessary trip to the hospital. That's why I rank a strong relationship with your local doctor as my top tip for wellness on the road. Good luck out there. -MORGAN MURPHY

CHECKLIST: BEFORE YOU GO

Tip 1: Refill prescription medications.

Tip 2: Have a doctor check your immunization records.

Tip 3: Some insurance plans won't cover you out of your home area; check the policy.

Tip 4: Pack a first aid kit. Order one from the Red Cross, or make your own. Visit southernliving.com/august2006 for a link to the Red Cross's checklist.

Tip 5: Personalize your kit. Susan Foster, author of Smart Packing for Today's Traveler, says, "Ask yourself, 'What is your weak point?' Is your stomach the first to feel bad? Your head? Figure out what you normally need first, and make sure to have it on hand."

Tip 6: Write down your blood type, allergies, and emergency contact information. Tape it to your passport or driver's license.

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Aug 2006
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