FIrst Aid At Disney

The following is an abridged and unedited page from my upcoming book, Vacationing With Food Allergies at Disney. Though you might not have food allergies, there's still some very helpful planning information, because who doesn't get hurt at times on vacation? 

Finding First Aid
 
Disney is well equipped to handle emergencies. Each of the theme parks also has a first aid station. What you’ll find there, is they are able to handle anything from rashes or chemical burns (like from a sunscreen your kid’s face didn’t like!) to headaches, those lovely pollen allergies Florida always seems to have, and just about any of the minor things you might need, including scrapes, sprains, and other injuries. Just don’t expect a Mickey bandaid! Sorry kids, they are plain flesh toned.

All first aid stations are staff by a nurse, be it a Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant or Licensed Practical Nurse, or some combination of the three, all working for the local hospital system. They are very helpful and caring. More than once we’ve been offered a quiet place to rest or even lie down if needed. And for various little things, we’ve been given a dose for now, a dose for later, or multiple little packets of cream.
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Obviously, just because there IS a first aid station fully stocked does not mean you should leave your epipens at home. And, it’s likely you travel with a few meds too. If there’s something you need non urgently, your resort gift shop will likely sell it. We also tend to travel with quite a few first aid essentials, just because. Let’s be honest…it’s always something!

First Aid Essentials 

Here’s what I usually put in my mini first aid kit.

• Bandaids
• Ointment
• Dermaplast
• Anti itch cream
• Thermometer
• Gauze / tape
• Alcohol wipes

Additionally, I always bring:

• Advil
• Tylenol
• Zyrtec
• Multiple epipen sets
• Upset tummy meds
• Any prescription medicines

I make a small sandwich sized Ziploc bag with a portable kit. A few advil, some bandaids, etc, just to throw in my park bag. I’ve used it more than once.

Last year it was drizzling and our shoes were a bit wet as we stood in line at Space Ranger Spin. There was a child swinging on the bars, maybe ten or so. She was almost my size, so when she slipped off the bars and fell right into me, her body filled with momentum, it literally knocked me over. Thankfully, I didn’t fall on my kids. However, I got a deep gash on my ankle from her shoe, watched as she started swinging into the opposite direction, completely unaware, and cleaned and covered my ankle before we got on the ride.

That mini kit really comes in handy for headaches from the heat, minor skinned knees, or the other little things that you don’t want to be bothered to get out of line for. 

For the budget side, I like being able to reach for my own inexpensive products, instead of paying a few dollars for a dose of medicine at the giftshop, or a big bundle for a tube of anti itch cream. 

What do you pack in your mini first aid kit?