Small FAK

Hi All

I want to make a slightly-bigger-then-altoids-tin sized first aid kit that I will include in my belt pouch (fanny pack?) survival kit for when I go hiking.

Note: this is in addition to a full first-aid kit.

·4 fabric anchor plasters (elastoplast)
·Pain killer (probably paracetomol)
·Immodeom (for when you have 'the runs')
·Vioxx (anti-inflamitry)
·Buscapan (for stomach cramps)
·Mecurachrome / ·Bactraban (wound treatment)
·50 mm Roll bandage
·Trauma pad / SOS dressing

This is still only an idea, so ANY cririsism is worthwhile.
BTW. I have done a first-aid course, I will have a bandana, knife and duct tape to compliment the FAK.

Thanks!

I guess I would ask, "Why?" - especially if this is in addition to a full kit. I do like to carry some bandaids (USA speak for adhesive plasters) to handle the minor scratches and dings, just so I don't have to break out the full kit. Your meds would do fine in the big kit.

In a modular approach to kits, I have an altoids PSK and an altoids FAK that ride in alternate front pants pockets. This rides comfortably for me in jeans and suits (I don't wear tight fitting clothes) I also have in my car a full EMT Basic jump kit for responding to the scene on nights when I am on duty. As I think about trimming down the pocket carry to those things that I actually use and shifting my kit to smaller, purpose focused, micro kits (fire, blades, food, water, FAK,) that can be selected together to form a carry selection for reasonably expected scenarios on any given day, I am struck with the idea that what I carry in my FAK is probably too broad for every day use and too small for adventure use. Soooo, yes, I think that there is room for a micro kit with bandaids / plasters and analgesics and antacids which might fit in less room than the Altoids kit, supplement this with an emergency ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) kit which might include (just brainstorming here) a nose-hose, CPR mask, Occlusive dressing, Adhesive Tape / Duct tape, Scalpel & Bic stick pen... and fit in something slightly larger than an Altoids box, supplement those with a Bandage kit containing abdominal pads, 4X4's, Gauze rollers, SAM, More Tape and a Meds kit which would include Betadine, Epi-pen, Glucose, More analgesics, antacids, antiemetics, antidiarhial... This would all add up to a kit about the size of my EMT jump kit - 6"X6"X12" but could be selected seperately as expected needs change. For EDC I could carry the bandaids, tylenol, tums kit. For urban travel I could add the ABC kit. For wilderness I would have the EDC + ABC + Bandages.

I always think first of what can be comfortably carried in my pants pockets. (I am rarely without them <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> ) Then I think of what I would want to supplement that with if I were to carry a waist pack or vest or coat or backpack. I don't often have a waist pack on and if I were to count on that as my EDC I would often be without my gear. The only exception to this is my Leatherman and my Cellphone which I always wear on my belt.

I'm in the plannig stage for quite a lot of my kits. This is rthe way that I see it:

When I go hiking/camping/kloofing etc, I won't always have my 50l backpack on me all the time. I do a lot of 'exploring'/wandering around after the days hiking. I therefore would like to be able to carry something that has more possibilities than a PSK, yet doesn't involve carrying around my back pack.

It is a similar approach to the 'Grab n' Go' bag that was in some thread a while ago. If I am cought in an emergency situation (bush fire/flood?), I would grab a kit that would help keep me alive, while also alowing me to run. I wouldn't be able to do this very well with a backpack.

As I said, this is still in the planning/incomplete phase. When I have got some ideas from the forum, and completed the kit, I;ll post it here for critisism.

Hope this explains my thinking!

If its in addition to a full kit, I would personally concentrate on lifesaving items in the small kit and leave things that you wont need instantly in your full kit. The things I would personally like in an "Instant Access" kit are:

Gloves
Resus face shield
Extra Large serile dressing
Triangular bandage
Asprin (for immediate treatment of AMI)

And make sure any other people you are with have any medications they may need in an emergency, (epinephrine autoinjector, salbutamol inhaler etc) and that you know how to administer them if necessary.

These are the things that will save lives, plasters and painkillers can always wait.

Chris

WOFT, Here is the contents of my current Altoids FAK.
1 2” Offset bandage compress
2 Alcohol Swabs
1 Betadine Swab
2 Green Soap Towelettes
1 Sting Relief Swab
2 Neosporin
1 Burn Jel
2 Band-Aids 1” x 3”
2 Band-Aids ¾” x 3”
2 Band-Aids Juniors
1 Knuckle Band-Aid
1 Finger-Tip Band-Aid
2 Butterfly Closures
1 yard 1” Tape
1 Sewing Needle
1 # 11 Scalpel Blade
4 Motrin 200 mg
4 Benadryl 25 mg
4 Sudafed 30 mg
1 Cosmetic style Tweezers
In a separate pouch I also carry a pair of gloves, Rescui-Shield (CPR) Whistle, Buck 503 Knife, Sm Btl of Purell Alcohol Hand Cleaner. The newest addition to my kit(s) is a 2 oz package of Flat Duct tape (1.88"x3yds) as seen here . Speaking of Duct tape; for all of you real diehards out there you should check this item out here I have also added a Leatherman Squirt P4
If I am out backpacking or hiking I add a module to my FAK which contains
1 3" Ace Wrap
1 SAM Splint
1 Triangular Bandage
1 Trauma Dressing 8"x7"
2 2" Roller Guaze
1 Iris Scissors
1 Splinter Forceps
1 Iris Locking Forceps
1 S/S Survival Saw
1 US Survival Mirror
1 Sm Sewing Kit
Water Purification Tabs
Total Weight is 8.5 oz.
I do add additional items, which covers the 10 essentials really well. <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> If I am weekending (hiking, camping) I take a small backpack with everything to cover the entire weekend w/food, which weighs in at 27 lbs. <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Finally; I also carry a firearm and a couple other defense items. <img src="images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> To avoid another heated discussion let's avoid the brand and caliber. <img src="images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Excelent idea. Walking round with blood on your hands after treating someone while you look for somewhere to wash your hands is not good. Gets funny looks from the police too!!

I don't know anything about Purell Alcohol Hand Cleaner, but the stuff I use needs no water, so you can use it anywhere.

Chris

An interesting side note about all of the gelled alcohal hand cleaners - they are gelled alcohal. They will act just like sterno if prompted. <img src="images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

Sterno? What is that? I guess its an American name for something.

Sterno == canned heat == fuel for catering warming trays etc. This is flamable stuff - catches a spark easily, burns when wet (it floats on the water), fairly tuff to get off you once ignited, about 2 oz of it will boil a cup of water easily if you can get a wind screen around it. Wouldn't want to use it to clean my hands at the scene of a fire tho.

Thats quite a list! Did you really fit it into an ALTOIDS tin, normal size, or a bigger altoids tin? It seems like quite a lot of gear in a small tin!

I agree with carrying life-saving equipment in an easily accesible area. I ussually have a Pair of gloves and a resuci-aid clipped somewhere on me. I always my asthma pump with me, even though my doctor says that I have outgrown my asthma.

Bandana = 'emergency' dressing and 'emergency' triangular bandage.

I am also thinking of adding medication to the kit because I can more easily improvise dressings than medication.

This kit is also aimed to work independently, as well as with my Backpack and all the gear in it. It is the 'grab 'n go' concept.

These items
1 2” Offset bandage compress
2 Alcohol Swabs
1 Betadine Swab
2 Green Soap Towelettes
1 Sting Relief Swab
2 Neosporin
1 Burn Jel
2 Band-Aids 1” x 3”
2 Band-Aids ¾” x 3”
2 Band-Aids Juniors
1 Knuckle Band-Aid
1 Finger-Tip Band-Aid
2 Butterfly Closures
1 yard 1” Tape
1 Sewing Needle
1 # 11 Scalpel Blade
4 Motrin 200 mg
4 Benadryl 25 mg
4 Sudafed 30 mg
1 Cosmetic style Tweezers
Really do fit into a normal sized Altoids Tin. I would include a picture, but I have no digital camera. The tape, for example, is wrapped around a paperclip. As for the rest of the items they fit into another Altoids tin and a small nylon pouch as needed. The additional first aid items go together in a belt pouch. If I am hiking I carry a very small backpack, similar to a bookpack, which students use.

Minime is correct in saying that Alcohol Hand Cleaner is gelled and works on a wet surface. I conducted my own non-scientific studies and found you can cook with it, besides boiling water. I also have found that on damp ground (snow covered) it lights and burns very well. This could mean the difference between having and not having a fire. <img src="images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> Be careful though, alcohol in any form burns clean enough to be almost invisible.

The purrell stuff is brilliant, i use it in the field (i'm a vet). It works brilliantly and has a great smell it's supposed to kill 99.9% of all known bacteria. It's available from Arco for about £3 for a small pocket sized bottle and and about £10-15 for a big one!

Mark

What and where is Arco?

I understand that it is also a good backup firestarter.

Arco is a warehouse type company who sell equipment to industry things like health and safety gear but now are in the consumer market try www.arco.co.uk they have 22 stores nationwide so it might be worth a look! There prices for sprayway and northface gear are second to none and you can get alot of "hard to find"survival gear!

Mark

stargazer

Neosporan?
Motrin?
Benadryl?
Sudafed?
off set bandage compress?


is burn jell similar to parafinn guaze?

Are butterfly closures strong, sticky plasters for closing wounds? We have things called 'steri-strips'. I've asked around, but I've never found 'butterfly sutures' in SA.

And how do you repackage your meds? blister packs? little vials? just chuck everything in???

WOFT Sorry to take so long to reply to the questions you have. Hopefully this answers everything. If not let me know.

Neosporin; is a brand name for triple antibiotic ointment. Commonly found in the US and Canada.

Motrin; is a brand name for Ibuprofen. Ibuprofen is a NSAID analgesic for pain, swelling etc., which has been mentioned in previous posts.

Benadryl; is a brand name for Diphenhydramine HCl. Diphenhydramine HCl is a anti-histamine (allergy) medicine common for hayfever, but can be used as an adjunct medicine for allergic reations.

Sudafed; is a brand name for pseudoephedrine HCl a nasal decongestant used for sinusitis and colds.

Offset Bandage Compress; is from a unitized first aid kit box. These kits are normally mandated by OSHA (U.S.) and are found in many industrial complexes.

Butterfly bandages; are a precursor to the steri-strips, or rather the ones I have seen are. They are packaged in band-aid style boxes and are sold by Johnson & Johnson. This is the same company who makes Band-Aids (brand name) or plasters.

Burn-Jel; is a brand name product for burns. It is not the same as parafin plasters. It is a gel containing both lidocaine and aloe vera from the plant of the same name.

The meds are kept in a ziplock bag about 3 cm x 2.54 cm and I have obtained these from a jeweler. Jewelers use them commonly for small rings. <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> More info is found at www.northsafety.com, which hopes to start retailing in SA soon. <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I noticed that. Grin. I am careful to always have one of those tiny travel squeeze bottles in my Daily Carry Kit.

Personally, I believe people in this forum put way too much emphasis on medication and far too little on basic first aid, so take my comments with that in mind.

Do you actually know when to take these medications? If your diarhea is caused by food poisoning, and your body is desperately trying to get rid of the toxic gunk you just swallowed, is taking Immodium a good idea? If you took a wrong turn and got lost, and while trying to attract someone's attention you fall and gash your leg, do you really want to improvise a sterile dressing from a shirt you've been wearing for five days?

In other words, you can't improvise sterility - your dressings are either sterile or they're not. And apart from the antiseptic and painkillers, a lot of the meds you're carrying might well do more harm than good in a survival situation.

Go back to First Aid basics and ask yourself, what are the things most likely to kill you?

Shock: caused by heart problems, breathing problems, loss of blood, allergic reactions, and possibly psychological stress. Treatment: prompt and immediate first aid for the cause of shock; a blanket to keep the casualty warm; placing the casualty in the shock (semi-Fowler?) position if possible. Basically, your body is trying to heal itself; do what you can to assist it.

Severe Bleeding: Can cause shock and infection. Treat shock as above; prevent infection by the use of sterile dressings.

etc. etc.

If the point of this mini-FAK is to have it when your main FAK isn't readily available, it makes no sense to me to stock it with stuff to treat non-life-threatening illnesses, or worse, stuff that might make a serious illness/injury worse.

Also, there's a tendency in this forum to treat life-saving supplies like items on a checklist. The book says I should carry sterile dressings; okay, I have two 2x2 sterile dressings - check. They're not much good if you fall and rip all the skin off your forearm from the wrist to the elbow, but you've got the tick in the box so you can carry on. To me, this is the equivalent of taking a couple of waterproofed strike-anywhere matches and saying "Okay, I've got everything I need to start a fire, what next?"

Maybe, instead of simply listing every OTC medicine you think you might need, ask yourself "What's the worst that can happen to me if I take this? What's the worst that can happen if I leave it behind?"

Good points, but I'm not too sure if i agree with you 100% - practical knowlage is extremely important, yet the gear that you use to apply that knowlage is also important.

I have been pondering over the use of small band-aids (and a lot o other equipment) in a PSK. I still don't know the answers to many of my questions, so i will continue to carry what other people (experts?) suggest. Untill i can answer these personal question, I would rather carry something that i probably want NEED, than not have it when I need it.

Quote" <<Do you actually know when to take these medications?>>

Yes I do. I have a level 3 first aid qualification, I have 350+ hours of experience in varied environments, I come from a medical family and often our supper time conversations include "wilderness medicine/first aid" (I get my love of the outdoors from my father).

Quote: <<If you took a wrong turn and got lost, and while trying to attract someone's attention you fall and gash your leg, do you really want to improvise a sterile dressing from a shirt you've been wearing for five days?>>

No, but I also can't carry a a sterile dressing that size. I can carry a small bit of moleskin to treat blister on feet which could fester and become infected if not treated. If you can't use your feet properl;y in a survival sitution i'd think your chances odf survival diminsh greatly.

Quote: <<Basically, your body is trying to heal itself; do what you can to assist it.>>

I agree. How can you help your body heal itself? By apllying you knowlage and using the equipment you have with you. You cannot carry a fully equipped jump-bag with you when you go hiking. but you still can carry minimal gear in a small first aid kit. Your first aid kit will also be adapted to the anticipated environment.

quote: <<Maybe, instead of simply listing every OTC medicine you think you might need, ask yourself "What's the worst that can happen to me if I take this? What's the worst that can happen if I leave it behind?">>

The point of this thread is to discuss exactly that.

I hope I don't sound like I am attacking you, because I most definantly am not. Just a difference in opinions.

Think about what your going to be doing on a regular basis. Think about the kind of things that might go wrong. I spend most of my time in urban/suburban areas, and need to deal with minor cuts and scrapes more than anything else. I believe Doug has a section on first aid kits, and recommends having an assortment of band aids, different sizes, as well as the various types for knuckles and fingertips. I've found that to be quite useful, and for me, those are what I use the most. I also keep some meds in my FAK, a few OTC pain killers and some benadril (since I'im very allergic to cats, and never know when I might bump into somebody that has cats). As far as keeping a full supply of meds, I think thats better suited to a larger first aid kit, one that stays in the back pack or such. I look at my altoids tin FAK as something that can hold me over until I can get to my bigger FAK. Also, something that I just tried is vacume sealing items in the altoids tin. I have a stack of 8 2x2 guaze pads, and they took up a lot of space before. Now I have them vacume sealed in a single pouch (they are still in their wrappers) and they take up much less space.

A majority of my meds are for comfort or false peice of mind.

I totally agree with what you are saying. In a lot of cases I can use my two bandannas or bare hands to apply pressure to stop what I call medium level bleeding, not artery and small area. They are in no way sterile, but when help is only a day or two away this makes little difference. You could die pretty fast from blood loss but most infections take longer to kill.

I also keep a small zip lock bag of aspirin and band aids just to keep the other hundred unfortunate people from knowing about my real first aid supplies. With small children these can be a real life saver because bandaids will cure any small imagined cut.

My real first aid kit is heavey on life-saving bandages such as trau-medics. I use stacks of gauze and stretch gauze to treat smaller wounds. I have no bandaids whatsoever in any of my real kits. Everything is kept in original packaging then vacumm sealed to help keep them sterile. Sterility can always be compromised but this gives me a better survivability curve.

I keep some bandages, gloves, and CPR mask where I can get to them in a hurry.

I might not die from diarreah but I have had it so bad that a couple of immodium could have saved my life if water had been in short supply. No I might take them and make matters worse if I really had no clue what caused it. Hopefully I can make a good guess from a sample of stool or what I have been putting in my body. I'm not a perfect expert so mistakes are a possibiliy but this goes towards all areas of surviva.

I agree that many meds will make situations worse, but mine are geared towards minor injuries where I just want to be more comfortable. In a real survival situation I will treat conditions as I have been trained, have practised, and have done in the past.

One final note. Most FAKs I have seen have no real life saving gear. I am guilty of copying Doug's PSK by keeping Vicodin ES and Zithromax in my kit. No they won't save my life but are their to give me that 1% edge over the situation. I have used and seen the results from these meds many times over and I still have the beliuef that they will help. This belief will probably aleviate some of my fear in a survival situation enough to help me out with that critical 1%. I think most FAKs are geared towards everyday comfort supplies and these people should either state the true reason for these kits or take a long hard look at the true necessities of first aid.

I whole heartedly agree with this.

Basic first aid saves lives. Not a dig at any one in particular on this forum, but some people seem to get the attitude, "I'm better than that so I don't need to do the basic stuff". Unfortunatly this attitude can cost people their lives.

Remember

[color:"red"]A[/color]irway
[color:"red"]B[/color]reathing
[color:"red"]C[/color]irculation

The only Drug I would consider carrying in a first aid kit is Asprin.



Again, I agre with this.

On duty I normally carry a small bag with large dressings, a few triangluars, OP Airways and some sterile pads and tape for wounds in awkward places to bandage. If the person only needs a plaster, they can wait.

Chris

Most basic first aid courses are normally written with the assumption that you have no kit with you.



IMHO, Not worth worrying about until you've covered the ABCs.



You'll have to excuse me, I'm British. What is a level 3 First Aid Qualification. We have different Qual levels over here.

Chris

*Level 1 - Entry level first aid ( 2 day course)
*level 3 - "advanced' first aid (5 day course)
*BAA - Basic Ambulance Assistant (an ambulance driver)
*I forget the next level, but it is an advanced BAA
*Paramedic

Level 3 is the highest "first aid" qualification. I hope that gives you an idea of our qualifications.

Everything that you, survivalperson and aardwolfe have posted, I agree with. I have taken most of what you said into consideration when designing my FAK and other systems. I call them systems, because they don't function as a kit by themselves.

EG. EDC + PSK + Hip Pouch = a system

I am in the process of tinkering with these systems, and trying to find the best to suit my conditions.

As I re-read my post, I can still see that I am not explaining myself very well <img src="images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Oh well, keep the comments coming <img src="images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

BTW, how do you do that "in reply to" with the small writing and formatting?

Wow. Looking back at my original list of FAK items, i really should have thought a bit more before just posting <img src="images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

WOFT, do not feel bad about your post. How else will you learn? Irregardless of how you feel about the post or comments some people make. The important thing here is that you learn knowledge, which in turn empowers you. As Doug and many others have said; the number one survival tool is our brains. Your training in first aid is invaluable. Who knows when you will save a life, even if it is your own? I carry what I do from experience and my training. You may have noticed I carry a bare minimum of medications with me. What I have is mostly for me. I carry no antibiotics, or other than Motrin I have no painkillers. Looking over Doug’s list (drawing on his experience) you will notice his listing for antibiotics (Zithromax) and painkillers (Vicodin), but may also note that here in the U.S. you need a prescription for both. If carrying these items makes you feel better please do so by all means. Also ask the doctors here about carrying these. Most likely you will get a different answer even though these fine gentlemen have M.D. behind their names. Such is the nature of medicine.

<Do you actually know when to take these medications? If your diarhea is caused by food poisoning, and your body is desperately trying to get rid of the toxic gunk you just swallowed, is taking Immodium a good idea? >

At least a dozen or more bacterial organisms, a few viral agents and various toxic substances can cause food poisoning. Vomiting and diarrhea are not necessarily the body's defenses at work to eliminate them from the body. Many of the biological and toxic agents can cause the death or block the ability of the cells responsible for the absorption of water in the colon. Profuse vomiting and diarrhea do not, in of themselves, necessarily eliminate the organisms from the body. Some agents produce toxins, which are enough of an irritant to force the body to react violently to them with vomiting and/or diarrhea. In these cases, the body's reaction may be beneficial. However, uncontrolled diarrhea is one of the leading causes of death in many third world countries. Both vomiting and diarrhea can cause severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. While most healthly individuals can tolerate a limited amount of vomiting and diarrhea for 24 hours, much after that and the body's ability to recover is greatly impaired. Access to large amounts of clean water and foodstuffs that will replenish electrolytes may allow you to discount carrying anti-diarrhea medications and that is your choice, but you will still be weak from a major degree of stress. I for one, carry anti-diarrhea medication, based upon personal experiences of traveling companions, as well as myself. Pete

Do you mean that^?

When you type your message, click on "Quote" in the "Insert UBB Code" box, next to the smilie faces. Then type what you want in between the two tags it inserts in your message. You'll see what I mean when you try it.

Chris

I disagree. They always say, the only stupid question is the one that you don't ask. The same with a post - this is a brainstorming group in many ways, the whole point of brainstorming is to throw out ideas and see whether they fly, float, or sink like a brick.

It's far better to post something that's far from perfect, than to keep quiet and never get around to discussing it with anyone. <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Pete: Okay, I stand corrected. But I think my major point is still valid. You have far higher qualifications in this area than I do, so you presumably have a much better idea than most of us when it is or is not appropriate to take a particular medicine. But even OTC medications can have serious side effects if taken for the wrong reasons - I'm pretty sure that, for example, Tylenol can turn an unpleasant condition (a headache) into a life-threatening one (e.g. liver failure) if taken incorrectly. So I'm still a little leery of non-professionals taking a whole swack of medications into the woods without necessarily having the training or expertise to use them appropriately.
(Especially if they are doing so at the expense of basic first aid supplies that are far more likely to be needed.) <img src="images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

I agree that all medicines should be taken in a prudent manner, even OTC meds. But most people have in their homes both OTC as well as prescription meds, many take medications routinely, with little to no observed adverse effects. While some individuals do have adverse reactions to various meds and some do ignore dosing recommendations, the vast majority of the public takes medications appropriately. I have responded to countless calls for unintentional OD's of OTC and prescription meds, fortunately most situations are not life threatening and are not actually OD's. Keep in mind when a medication is approved for OTC status, the FDA has evaluated the risk to the general population for experiencing adverse effects. With a little reading and education of the appropriate dosing for size and age, which appears on the bottle and/or box of all medications and adhering to the recommendations, most OTC medications can be safely carried into the field and used appropriately. As to acetaminophen (Tylenol), where the danger lies, is not with someone (adult) taking 3 instead of 2 tablets, but when someone takes a handful and swallows them in an attempt to harm themself or in an attempt to call attention to themself. One of the most frequent (my personal experiences) OD calls we run involves a female between the ages of 12-20, who has just had a fight with her boyfriend. She will often go to the medicine cabinet, grab a bottle of Tylenol, believing taking a handful of Tylenol will not hurt or kill her, but make a statement. If we and/or the hospital are able to deal early enough with the situation, having her stomach pumped and ongoing monitoring of acetaminophen levels will generally mitigate the problem. Pete

<img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I've been away on a trip for for few days - THanks all for the replies!

WOFT: I just spent an uncomfy night in a hammock I thought I'd used without a pad before. I discovered that the bottom of the hammock was NOT, in fact, mosquito-proof.

This prompts me to suggest that you add some Benedryl or other antihistamine to your "grab-n-go" FAK. Once I realized that I'd been bitten (a bunch) I took some Benedryl and thereby kept myself from swelling and itching too much.

Bear

dchinell
I made a suggestion for Benadryl in my original Altoids post on this same topic. However, in your case, or rather future cases you may want to consider the Benadryl Cream. It will also treat the itching and swelling, but without causing drowsiness. Unless, of course you don't get drowsy when taking medicines. A couple of other alternatives would be Hydrocortisone Cream in a 1% base, or Sting relief swabs. I carry all three normally in the back country in a larger kit. Hope this helps.