What if you are a foreigner traveling in a foreign country either for business or pleasure when you suddenly have this sharp stabbing pain over your chest and with the severity of the pain you know that you need to be taken to the nearest hospital or you’ll die? Sometimes when we go on trips we tend to forget the most important thing—which is to come back home safely.

Here are a few tips when traveling:

1. Packing the right travel medicines can save a lot of time and hassle on your trip, and can even be a lifesaver in the event drugs are not available locally. First on the list are prescription drugs you may need. These will include occasional remedies such as migraine reliever plus any medications that may be part of your daily regimen. Bring extra pills as a safety precaution. Your return might be delayed unexpectedly. If taking a flight, prescriptions should go in your carry-on in case your luggage takes another flight.

2. Keep a list of the medications you are taking in your purse or wallet and let a traveling companion know it’s there. If a medical emergency should occur, attending physicians or EMTs might require this information to avoid unwanted interactions between drugs.

3. Aspirin or other pain relievers may be widely available, but if you need them you’ll appreciate having them handy. Alka-Seltzer or other antacids are also good choices.

4. Small plastic water-tight bottles can be purchased at any drug store for bringing less than 100ml of rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, good for sterilizing a needle to remove a splinter, or bathing small cuts. Various sized band-aids and a small tube of hydrocortisone ointment should be part of any first aid kit. All of these items can be thrown in a zip-lock bag or a small zippered pouch.

5. Serious allergies to medications like penicillin should be worn on a med-alert necklace or bracelet or be included on your health insurance card along with blood type.

6. If you find yourself sick while in Angeles City and needed to be seen by a doctor, you can call Britannia Medical Center for a medical consultation via house / hotel call.