First Aid Kit

I have about two months to ready my family for our move to the Cooks. If anyone could advise on things to include especially in a first aid kit for Rarotonga for a family, I have read about insect repellant containing DEET, and hydrogen peroxide for coral cuts. Any ideas for things that may be helpful to ship over, people have mentioned bringing LPG bottles and water purifiers, barbeques etc. Any adivice would be welcome. Cheers

A good quality anti-fungal and/or antibiotic powder will really come in handy. While an ointment might help - in a pinch - due to the humidity, powders are much more effective.

Waterproof plastic strip bandages.

I wouldn't know what else to suggest. You can get most anything you might need, on Rarotonga. A little more expensive than North America or NZ, but, it's there! If you're visiting one of the other Cook Islands, though, you'll want a well-stocked 1st aid kit, as the opportunity to find necessary stuff is very limited.

All the best,
Mark

Mark mentions waterproof plastic strips. I haven't been (Yet) to Cook Islands, but spend a lot of time getting wet in Solomon slands, and find the so-called waterproof plastic ones don't stick, but the fabric ones do, even when wet. As the point is to cover the wound to keep flies etc out, it doesn't really matter that they get wet, as long as they stay covered.

Antifungal and atibiotic powder point noted letterdude, as is the fabric waterproof strips ozziegiraffe cheers guys

out of curiousity- have you ever been to the Cooks or are you moving sight unseen?

Nope, never been, moving sight unseen

Are you nuts?

Triple antibiotic cream
Gold Bond powder
Vinegar is used in a lot of remedies
Usual cold remedy stuff, plus some Pepto or Immodium

Remember, don't touch the coral.

How about an enzyme-based laundry detergent. Better for the enironment and they do a good job too.

lol nope not nuts..........well not completely anyway, cheers for that

Hi Kivanui,

Also out of curiousity, what are you going to be doing in the Cooks? Did you have difficulty getting a work visa? You are living my dream, packing up and moving to a beautiful tropical island. I hope you let us know how it goes once you arrive.

Best Wishes,
Barb

Hi everyone1

Question: Has anyone heard of recurring sores after being cut on coral. A friend has just had recurring symptoms 5 years after being cut in Fiji. Temp. nausia and vomiting plus hugely swollen leg. Five years to the day since the first injury . . xame symptoms.

I wonder if its a bit like spider bites which can recur every year.

Never have heard of recurring problems from the coral cut itself. But tiny coral bits have a little toxin that gets into the skin, that's why one has to clean all the little bits of coral out after a cut, even if you need to scratch with your fingernails, etc. But I've never heard of a recurrence like this from a coral cut. I'd get to a specialist, it could be some type of more serious thing if nausea and vomiting are occurring.

#9-your friend needs a new allopathic physician and a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

His system is somehow unbalanced and needs careful tending.

I always have need for nonstick gauze pads (for things like tropical ulcers and other big cuts that can take months to heal) and a good antibiotic cream, along with everything else that's mentioned. And if you don't like adhesive tape (I don't, particularly for long term use) then either 'paper' tape or anti-allergy tape (micro pore for example) is a good alternative and they stick well, too; they really help cut down the discomfort of using adhesive tape when an ulcer or whatever is taped up for several months. The nonstick pads and micro pore tape are available most places, except in rural areas, but cost a lot more than they do at home.