Did you realize that you can purchase a ready made First Aid Kit for boat? You can also make your own First Aid Kit depending on your particular requirements.
How long for Emergency Services?
The question to ask yourself is, ‘What is the longest amount of time it will take Emergency Services to get to your boat?’ In some cases, the answer might be ‘within an hour’ and in other cases it’s possible that Emergency Services might take several days.
During our Atlantic Ocean Crossing , I remember thinking ‘I better not get sick or hurt now, because we’ve sailed out of the helicopter rescue air lift zone!’ Injury or illness at sea is a terrible thing to contemplate but it’s far better to be prepared rather than watch yourself or a loved one suffer (or dare I say, ‘die’) unnecessarily.
What does a boater typically require from a First Aid Kit?
We’ve been sailing for around three years now and the most common injuries we’ve had are cuts and bruises – mostly from a fall from the stairs or a kick to a deck fitting. We’ve also had burns, stubbed toes, bug bites and splinters. The illnesses that we’ve faced include: dehydration, common cold, allergies, seasickness and hair lice (yes – I know that’s gross! Took me months to get it off the boat!).
Half way across the Atlantic I came down with the worst ear infection ever! Due to the seasickness pills I was taking, they had the terrible side effect of turning my inner ear liquid to a solid. I couldn’t hear for over a week and it took three months to recover. When we looked in our First Aid Kit for Boat I thanked the gods that we had ear drops. I then tried a seasickness patch and discovered I was one of the 1 in 10,000 people allergic to the adhesive! Talk about bad luck – eh? Thankfully, I had some Hydrocortisone.
Before my husband and I left for our around the world sailing adventure we took a First Aid Course (Read more about the Sailing Courses we took). I know that First Aid isn’t very interesting but while taking the course I discovered 10 crucial tips that you’ll want to read. Seriously…after reading that article you’ll think, ‘wow – I’m happy I now know those things!’
Anyway… Below you’ll find some ready made First Aid Kits and addition to a list where you can, perhaps do-it-yourself. Or, use the list to check off what’s in a ready made kit and perhaps top-up what is missing. Remember to add that lice comb!
First Aid Kit – Ready Made Kits
First Aid Kit For Boat – DIY Checklist
- General Assortment of plasters/ Band-Aids
- Non-stick dressings – a variety of sizes
- Bandages – a variety of sizes and lengths
- Adhesive tape
- Non-latex gloves
- Alcohol-free moist wipes
- Scissors, safety pins and tweezers
Topical or external treatments
- Anti-septic cream and or spray
- Antibiotic cream
- Hydrocortisone ointment
- Burn gel or ointment
- Calamine lotion
- Eyewash
- Eardrops
- Anti-fungal ointment
- Local anesthetic gel
Medicines
- Painkillers: Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen
- Antihistamine: (Allergy, allergic reaction, bug bites)
- Antibiotics: two types of broad-spectrum
- Rehydration packets
- Other: Laxatives, Imodium, heartburn
- Seasickness pills
- Muscle relaxants
- Oral antihistamines
- Pre-loaded adrenaline syringe for anaphylaxis
- Common cold medicine
- Thrush, yeast infection, vaginal infections
First Aid monitoring tools
- Thermometer Pulse checker
- Otoscope to check ears
- Cuff for heart rate
- Stethoscope
- Pee stick tests
- Pen light (eye dilation)
- Bone fractures
- Slings Splints (variety of sizes)
- Non-stick dressings
- Bandages and tape
Burns
- Heat diffuser gel pads or instant ice pads (or ice if you have an ice maker)
- Paraffin non-stick bandages
- Non-stick dressings
- Serious cuts
- Non-stick bandages
- Dressings
- Steristrips
- Suturing kit
Dental & Other Considerations
- Emergency dentistry kit
- Lice comb and shampoo
- A defibrillator
What else? Anything missing?
If yes, please leave your suggestions in the comments below for others to see. When we got lice on the boat, we didn’t have a lice comb but our Canadian friends next to us did! The comb that comes with the shampoo is terrible, so we were happy to borrow a proper lice comb. Surely, there are other things I haven’t experience yet, so please add anything below – even if it’s a bit odd!
Preventing the need for a First Aid Kit
There will always be cuts, bruises, minor burns and bumps to deal with on a boat. It is important, however to get to grip with common boat safety tips a understand How to Prepare for Medical Emergencies When Boating. You don’t want to spoil a good thing with a terrible experience. Be prepared!
Want more?
In the Sailing Britican shop you’ll find a variety of quick, easy-to-digest, results-orientated guides for boat buyers and boat owners. Check out the store now!
Maybe I missed it on here but an essential item for a homemade first aid kit (most pre-made kits come with it) is a medical guide. I have the pocket-sized version of Marine Medicine by Adventure Medical Kits and had to reference it more times than I wanted to! From kidney stones to cracked ribs…it was a great help.
Get, and learn how to use a stapler. A pair of preloaded lidocaine syringes if available will make life a “tad bit” easier.
I’d add Tegederm to the bandages list and oxygen or an oxygen concentrator to devices.
And remember that “no one expects the Spanish Inquisition” .
Ready made and add some extras based on your preferences it the best choice 🙂
Great article! Being on a boat means being by myself. While that means I’m afforded a certain degree of peace, it also means I am left to my own devices in emergencies, thus the need for the right marine first aid kit.