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The ongoing trend in the consumer market of providing small, ready-to-go, individual size packages of consumables has been a win-win for the lightweight and ultralight backpacking communities. Always looking to shave a few extra ounces or grams off of our overall pack weight, these individual servings are the perfect fit for trail snacks, drinks, condiments - you name it.
However, these nicely packaged individual servings can come at a premium. They can often be pricy or difficult to find without going online and ordering in bulk +shipping. That's when the creative types among us come up with ingenious solutions that lets us make our own alternatives using things we usually have lying around.
However, these nicely packaged individual servings can come at a premium. They can often be pricy or difficult to find without going online and ordering in bulk +shipping. That's when the creative types among us come up with ingenious solutions that lets us make our own alternatives using things we usually have lying around.
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I've carried a few of the Neo-to-go (Neosporin) packets with me as part of my first aid kit for quite some time. They're small, handy and easy to use, but they have some downsides. Firstly they are quite expensive, secondly each packet contains way more ointment than I need for a small cut or graze - an awful lot more and once it's been opened it shouldn't be reused or saved.
So here is really clever solution to this problem that involves a tube of antibiotic ointment (generic), a plastic drinking straw, a Bic lighter and a pair of needle-nose pliers. We're going to make very small, single use packets of antibiotic ointment using a generic alternative to Neosporin and a clean (unused) drinking straw. If you're like me and have kids, chances are very good that you have an open tube of antibiotic ointment in your medical cabinet already. On its own it is too large to carry on a backpacking trip, so we're going to re purpose it.
So here is really clever solution to this problem that involves a tube of antibiotic ointment (generic), a plastic drinking straw, a Bic lighter and a pair of needle-nose pliers. We're going to make very small, single use packets of antibiotic ointment using a generic alternative to Neosporin and a clean (unused) drinking straw. If you're like me and have kids, chances are very good that you have an open tube of antibiotic ointment in your medical cabinet already. On its own it is too large to carry on a backpacking trip, so we're going to re purpose it.
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Perhaps another way to "make" the straw package.....seal the first end of the straw (without ointment ) since you ultimately have to seal a short length anyway. Clean the tubing, trial fit it in advance. Ointment would probably move through a syringe w/o a needle or through a big needle. Deposit the ointment in the far end next to the first seal, making it easier to complete the final seal. I can't tell what size tubes to get or where to get them from. Just keep them when you find something useful....Creative Engineering! Hope it works. Thanks for all the other ideas.
-Lotion
-Sunscreen
-Hydrocortizone Cream
-Neosporin
-Advil
-No Crap / No Nausea / Dramamine Pills
-Allergy Pills
-Shaving Soap
It cut down my bathroom kit to a sandwich ziploc bag. Quick question...anyone gone through TSA security with these?
Thanks!
This was such an awesome idea and worked out great when I tried it! :0)
http://www.instructables.com/id/Whats-in-my-survivalfirst-aid-kit-you-ask/
Thanks so much for this! Favoriting it for sure.
I had a heck of a time getting the ointment to stay out of the seam, but they are holding.
Thanks!
Here's the link to mine:
http://www.instructables.com/id/The-Everyman-Every-Day-Carry-EDC-Survival-Kit/
Cheers!
Have you noticed that some (most of) toothaches go away if you put some toothpaste on the poor tooth?
Thanks.
Toothpaste dots are small blobs of toothpaste, squeezed onto some parchment paper and dehydrated until they are hard. To use simply pop on in your mouth, chew and brush! Easy to make, carry, and use!
Technique? I'd suggest even sized blobs of toothpaste that are not too tall, that way they will dry out faster. The more even they are the more likely it will be that they are all ready at the same time.
I've learned to use several small sections of parchment paper instead of one large sheet that covers an entire tray. I use small sections so that I can leave gaps between the parchment paper for the warm air to circulate better.