The Suture/
Syringe Medic from Adventure Medical Kits
Collapsible Cup with Pill Holder from Going In Style
Potomac Emergency Escape Mask from IBN Protection Products
Staying safe and healthy on the go gets a boost with the following new items, which may be available in area stores.
MEDS MINDER: Lizell's pill organizer is a trifold wallet with eight removable heavy-duty, self-zippering plastic pouches for pills, and one long slide-lock plastic pouch for prescriptions, vitamins, etc.. The pouches can be transported separately, with each holding a day's worth of medications. Or travelers can take the whole kit along for eight days of meds, or eight medications, each in its own pouch.
The pouches accommodate more pills than the typical hard plastic pill organizer - although there's more risk of crushing the pills in this device. Still, this organizer is a stylish-looking medication carrier, and the capacity is a plus. Note to air travelers: Many airlines require that prescription medications be transported in their original pharmacy containers with labels showing users' names.
Pill Organizer 51P14 is $14.95 from Lizell; call toll-free 1-800-718-8808; www.lizell.com
SOUND PLANNING: The ER-6 Noise Isolation Earphones from Erymotic Research are a cross between ear plugs and ear-bud headphones. They are lightweight, flexible devices that enhance the sound of a portable CD player, cassette player or MP3 player and reduce environmental sound levels, such as the background noise on airplanes, trains and subways.
The earphones come with one pair of flexible silicone ear tips, a pair of foam ear tips, a filter-changing tool and two filters, as well as a carrying pouch and shirt clip.
In testing on an airplane, I found the earphones had the added advantage of easing pressure on my ear drums as the plane descended. It was nice to hear full vibrant sound, instead of music muffled by airplane sound.
Noise Isolation Earphones HU-3039 are $139.95 from TechnoScout; toll-free 1-800-704-1210; www.technoscout.com
A SHOT AT HEALTH: Travel medicine specialists frequently advise those heading to Third World countries to take along their own sterile syringes in case of a medical emergency. Adventure Medical Kits, makers of a wide range of first-aid kits, has put together a kit designed for such emergencies.
The Suture/Syringe Medic is a transparent, self-zipping, plastic pouch filled with a variety of syringes and needles, nylon suture, an intravenous catheter, antiviral/bacterial towelettes and nitrile barrier gloves. While such precautions might once have been considered only for the neurotic, today's travelers to less developed countries would do well to add this small lightweight kit to their gear.
IN THE DRINK: It's always useful to have your own cup handy for taking medications or quenching your thirst when drinking fountains are less than appealing or clean cups are unavailable. This collapsible plastic cup has a built-in pill container in the snap-on lid.
Available in bright red, yellow or blue (easy to identify in a purse or glove compartment), the cup holds 4 ounces of liquid and when collapsed, it is 2 inches in diameter and about an inch thick. I keep two in my car: one for me and one for my dog.
Collapsible Cup with Pill Holder item 735 is $3.50 from Going In Style; toll-free 1-800-637-8953; www.goinginstyle.com
BREATHING EASIER: You can hope that you will never need the Potomac Emergency Escape Mask, a pocket-sized, but substantial defense against biological and chemical threats, including anthrax, cyanide, sarin and smallpox. Embedded in the bright yellow silicone stretch mask are plastic viewing portals and two activated carbon filters for protection against inhaling poisonous particles.
The mask, which weighs about 1 pound, comes sealed in a foil pouch that fits easily into a briefcase or large purse. It can be put on in about 6 seconds. The mask is not designed for sustained use in a poisoned environment, but it has been tested and found successful for protection during evacuation from a contaminated place.
Potomac Emergency Escape Mask is $149.95 from IBN Protection Products; 914 738-0400; www.ibnprotection.com
Judi Dash is a freelance writer living in Beachwood, Ohio.
The Suture/
Collapsible Cup with Pill Holder from Going In Style
Potomac Emergency Escape Mask from IBN Protection Products