[2airishuman]

i've been meaning to get back to this thread but haven't had time......

as for medications......the truth is that most expiration dates are stamped/written arbitarily....there is very little good science on how long most meds remain active and bioavailable.....

many pharmacies routinely stamp a date......1 year from now.....when the manufacturer many have 3 years listed.....also makers know very little about when a given medication becomes ineffective.....each year billions of dollars of still fresh medications are tossed because of premature expiration dates.......

i routinely consume meds that are 1-3 years past the expiration date....for non life threating needs like allergies, heartburn or headaches....not that i'm suggesting anyone else do this....

yes heat and cold are issues but the trailer doesn't have to be a deep freeze or oven....

single use meds like aspirin for a heart attach or antibotics for giradia or steroids for asthma....can be vacumn packed, foil covered, and stored in a moderate temp location for years....like wine or peanut butter or energy bars....

so one way to look at these first aid/emergency supplies/health aids and medications is to group them like the galley.....

-pots and pans (gauze and tape and needles) last for decades
-dry goods like beans/rice salt, spices (saline, bandaids, antiseptics, ointments) can last for 5 years or more.....
-regional fare like vadialia onions or snake bite kits are best purchased just before traveling to a given region where they might be needed....
-and current needs like fresh fruit or your current personal medication list are best loaded and unloaded each time the trip begins.....

travel trailers are more like homes than a backpack or shelter house....so we need to and will carry a more complete, broad and potentially diverse supply of health, wellness, first aid and emergency supplies....

my point is think beyond the barebones first aid. like an international traveler visit your doc occasionally before the camping season and get scripts for a few supplies....and rotate every few years...

anticipate your needs, the family and pets when the season kicks into gear....

cheers
2air'