Note: These suggestions are not going to be adequate for everyone and we can not be responsible for making sure you have what you need for your particular passenger's needs or trip plans.
Commercially Available Kits
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for a wide variety of Marine First Aid Kits.
For a comparison of various types of kits and content
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First Aid kits for boaters:
While federal safety standards are in place for items that boaters must carry aboard (PFDs, Fire Extinguishers, etc), no such standards are present for First Aid kits. Why? The answer lies within the diversity of boating venues, boaters, and boats.
Boating covers kayaking to ocean voyages, boaters vary from the inexperienced to professional health providers, and boats vary from canoes to the megayachts that are communities within themselves. Because of varying needs, differences in experience and competence to provide First Aid, and variable distances from shore based professional facilities, it would be unfortunate to mandate that boaters carry certain health related items on their boats.
So our fraternal group does not recommend the contents of a first aid kit for your boat. What you carry is up to you. It depends on all the factors mentioned above. But sometimes a “shopping list” of items that may fit your expected needs, abilities, and waters, could be helpful in picking out what you choose to carry with you. Such a list of possible items follows … as with everything in boating, the more you know (about First Aid) the better you can respond. And please, consider taking an approved First Aid course such as ones provided by the American Red Cross or other approved agency.
FIRST AID KIT IDEAS
BANDAGES MEDICATIONS
4 inch ace 2 pkg (2 each) Dramamine
6 inch ace (Large) 8 Ibuprofen (Advil)
2 inch ace 4 Mylanta (gelcaps)
Box Q Tips 4 Extra strength acetominophen
5 x 9 Gauge pad 1 External Ear drops, sm. bottle
6 x ¾ Finger Splint (alum.) 1 Small Pepto-Bismol
2 Instant ColdPak 6 Imodium A-D (for diarrhea)
2 x 4.1 yd gauze roll 2 10mgm Prednisone *
3 x 18 vaseline gauze Scopolamine transderm patches*
2 x 2 mole skin, adhesive tape * Obtain from MD if needed.
3 2 ¼ x 3 ½ Adhesive pads Other medications should be specific
2 Large Butterfly tapes for each person on board.
10 Medium Butterfly tapes MISC
2 Large finger tip bandages
2 Elbow bandages Marine First Aid Guide Book
2 2x4 plastic bandage patches 2 pr. vinyl or nitrile gloves
2 Eye Patches Magnifying glass
12 ¾ x 3 BandAids tweezers, fine pointed
5 ¼ x ½ BandAids Scissors, fine pointed
2 rolls 1 inch plastic tape Scissors, heavy bandage
2 large safety pins Fever Reader (thermometer/patches).
CLEANSING EQUIPMENT
1 Small Betadiene Solution (povidone iodine) 1 anti-itch gel (diphenhydramine)
6 Alcohol cleaning pads 2 towelette pads (soap)
2 Bacitracin zinc ointment 6 Antiseptic Cleaning wipes
1 Diagonal side cutting pliers 1 Flashlight
1 roll Duct Tape 1 Angled (dentist’s) mirror
Provided by Alan summer 07'
Additional items suggested in 2011' by Alan
1) Dental "Brace Wax" -- Under Misc. --this stuff is like soft paraffin and its great if you break a tooth or lose an inlay or a crown while underway. Just stuff a wad of it in or over the tooth and the sharp edges are blunted. If it comes off, re-apply until you can have the tooth repaired.
2) Consider carrying an Epi-Pen in case someone collapses from a bee sting or other allergy reaction. Epi-Pens can be dangerous (for cardiacs, etc), so to carry one you must be knowledgeable in its use, its indications, and its potential dangers. Gradually, the public is expecting Epi-Pen treatment for people in "anaphylaxis" (the most serious of allergic reactions) so my thinking is leaning toward recommending one for boat's First Aid kits, but with the caveat above.
