Despite being in a boat sailing in a relaxed way or doing any water sport, there are many medical situations that can occur at any given time.
So, it is always important to have a marine first aid kit and to be prepared enough to act and provide some help in those situations.
Injuries on the water can go from a little bite to broken bones or even death if you jump into the water from long distances without knowing the risks.
Therefore, it is always smart to make sure your kit is well stocked.
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Table of Contents
Top 16 Marine First Aid Kits List That You Need in Your Boat
1. Adhesive Bandages In Different Sizes
Being on a boat does not mean you would not have small cuts or injuries.
Adhesive bandages should be readily available in different sizes because you cannot predetermine the size of wound that is likely to happen to passengers on the boat.
Having a bigger bandage is still somewhat okay, but what if the bandage is too small? You can’t have a messy injury and still have a messy cleanup.
Bandages and narrow adhesive strips are also needed for gaping cuts.
2. Stomach Remedies
Some passengers might develop motion sickness or react to something on the boat, when this happens there has to be medicines available to help the passenger.
Even if not to heal, but at least to keep him/her alive till proper medical services are administered.
Such medications should be stocked to prevent or treat any sickness such as heartburn, indigestion, and diarrhea.
3. Antihistamine for Allergic Reactions
It is not everybody that gets on board that knows what they are allergic to and some might have sincerely forgot theirs.
Let us not even get to the event someone has an allergic reaction and is not properly treated.
4. Sun Block or Sunscreen
This cannot be overemphasized. With the rate at which the earth is now warming up, the sun is no longer friendly.
Sun screen is not even just for protecting from sun burns, it is more importantly needed for protecting from what the UV rays can cause; one of which is cancer.
You can’t be going on a boat cruise or what you only have to come back with is a skin ailment.
5. Insect Repellant
Insects are everywhere; on land and on the sea, having an insect repellant can prevent any sickness caused by pathogens carried by insects.
Worst case scenario, there are mosquitoes in that area. And, I hope nobody needs malaria on a boat cruise, nobody!
6. Cream Lotion – Marine First Aid Kits
In the event there is no prevention to insect bites (insect repellant) there should be a cure to treat insect bites, sunburn, and skin irritations.
Having a lotion to treat insect bites is just as important as having a repellant to prevent it.
7. Pill for Pain Or Fever, Such As Aspirin, Acetaminophen Or Ibuprofen
There should always be pain reliever medication on board; always! A minor headache without being treated can turn into something severe. Prevention is better than cure.
8. Sterile Roller Bandages
This should be available; at least 3 rolls, to support sprained muscles.
The roller bandages have to be sterilized to prevent any infections that may occur from using it.
9. Cotton-tipped swabs
This is used to clean the ears, remove ear wax and can also be used to dip into some liquid medications to apply on wounds. Especially if the quantity required is small.
10. Sterile Gauze Pads
These are used on open wounds and since they are sterile, they help to prevent infections from entering through the opening.
A wound is bad enough without having to deal with infections in it.
11. Eye Drops
An eye infection is not something to overlook, especially if the reason that it is not properly treated might lead to loss of the eyes; worst case scenario.
Eye drops can be used to treat eye infections and other minor issues as relieving a red eye(s).
13. Thermometer
Having a thermometer on board a ship or boat is very important; as important as having a first aid kit. There are different thermometers for different uses.
(i) Digital Thermometer:This is used to read the body’s temperature and can be used in the mouth (oral), in the anus (rectal) or under the arm (auxiliary) and it comes in varying shapes and sizes.
It can be used differently and doesn’t mean to be used in the same place. However, it will be nasty to use the same digital thermometer in the anus of someone and then in the mouth of another.
(ii) Electronic Ear Thermometer:This measures the inside heat of the ear.
(iii) Forehead Thermometer: This are placed on the temporary artery of the forehead and it reads the heat temperature from the forehead.
(iv) Glass and Mercury Thermometer: As the name implies, there is mercury inside of a glass tube.
This goes underneath the tongue and the temperature reads as the mercury rises.
The exact point where the mercury stops rising is where you read for the temperature. If you cannot afford all, best get a digital thermometer, at least three which are properly labeled for the different parts of the body to be used on.
14. Antiseptic And Antibiotic Ointment, Spray, or Towelettes
A passenger could have an infection from an open sore or an injury that was not properly treated.
Antiseptic and antibiotic ointment, spray or towelettes can be used to treat such cases of infected wounds, skin irritations or infections, skin burn and so on.
15. Bottled Water To Rinse Wounds
You might think this is not necessary as you are on water, but we all know that sea water is not good for the skin.
It is particularly not good for drinking, so talk less of applying it on an open sore.
Herein, bottled water is the safest means to rinsing a wound.
16. Clean Towels for Marine First Aid Kits
In the event there is an injury or cuts or something that has to do with an opening on the skin.
It is important you use clean towels to wipe or dab the wound to prevent any infections to the person through the open wound.
Where and How To Get Marine First Aid Kits?
First-aid kits are sold in different stores, most of them in drug stores, marine supply stores or even online.
You just have to be sure to buy the appropriate one because there are different kinds of products that can come in a first-aid box, and it will depend on the time you plan to be there navigating.
Coastguards Auxiliary examiners have the function to check in every recreational ship the materials they will have for the sailing; including the first-aid kit.
Having a proper kit on board can help you give immediate and emergency care, and sometimes even saving a life.
Although, there are many academies which offer a medical course before going to those activities, the commanding officer or the people who guided you on the trip have to be prepared enough to attend emergency situations.
These include; heart attack, stroke or seizures, serious burns, cuts, sprains, puncture wounds and internal injuries as well.
Some Common Things to Know of Marine First Aid Kits
A first aid kit varies from a medical stock in several ways.
The kit typically is used to act in minor medical issues containing just the essential equipment while medical kit consists in having more supplies to attend serious issues.
It is essential to know the difference and to have both of them on the ship in case you need them, especially if you are going to travel over 12 hours.
Marine First Aid Kit Maintenance Tips
- Make sure enough bandages are in stock and check whether all available sizes are kept in stock.
- Keep the medicines checked. Replace them before the expiry date.
- Keep all of the supplies in an orderly manner. It will help find necessary stuff fast.
- Make sure you maintain a proper checklist and keep everything in stock.
Marine First Aid Kits FAQ
Q1. What communication will you have aboard?
Maybe a radio, a satellite phone or a cell phone.
Q2. Is there the same first aid kit for all the boats?
There’s no standard medical kit for every boat. The chosen kit for the boat will depend on the number of people in the crew.
Q3. Which number is the correct for sunblock?
15 or greater.
Q4. Why are the lotion and creams so important?
Because it is common that events such as insect bites, sunburn, and other minor skin irritations can occur.
Q5. Is there any web page to read about the medical courses?
There’s a website called FirstAidanywhere.com where you can find some training courses to learn what to do in emergencies while boating.
Marine First Aid Kits Concluding Thoughts
As we know, every time we go on board, we have the probability to experience any medical situation.
So it is important to have the right first aid box with the right supplies in order to save a life at that moment.
A little preparation and planning can make all the difference. The main objective of being in a boat is to enjoy the time there and have a great experience.
But in some cases, there are some emergencies that need to be attended by the people who are on board.
So it would be a huge help if you know how to resolve minor problems.
Marine First Aid Kits Final Words
For those of you who are used to sailing at least once in a year, remember to check your kit before going into trips and to replace any medications that are past the expiration date.