Best / cheapest First Aid kit

[webcraft]

For a 4-berth boat planning 24 hour+ offshore passages . . .

Any recommendations?

- Nick

<hr width=100% size=1><font size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.bluemoment.com>http://www.bluemoment.com</A></font size=1>

 

[richardandtracy]

Screwfix do a first aid kit for companies 1-10 emplyees for £9.99 I think (a very old catalogue in my desk says £17, so it'd be wise to check). This would be my recommendation - especially as it suits the HSE.
They also do an away day pouch for a bit less. May suit your useage.

Regards

Richard.


<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Guest]

Boots F/aid kits ...... and then put in some other bits as well .... to really make 'em good.


<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ...
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.qqbaltic.com/index.html>http://www.qqbaltic.com/index.html</A> For all those disbelievers ! /forums/images/icons/cool.gif

 

[Jools_of_Top_Cat]

Nigel has it right IMO, buy a cheap but relatively comprehensive kit and add to it. Asda do some great plasters and streach bandage. At work all the stuff is lifed although in sealed packs, so I had to save them from the bin.

Buy anti-sceptic wipes and most important lots of gloves to allow you to treat someone if you have oily or dirty hands. clove oil for tooth aches is worth having as well as anti histemene <s>.

Non petroleum cling film is good for serious burns as it keeps the moisture in until help arrives. And, get a first aid manual.

I am not intending to preach, sorry if it seems this way, my kit is building all the time, am just saying how I am doing it. I would like to carry a tetnus jab, and after Stu's fright (sonsy lass) after a bee sting the antidote to that, don't know its name.

Happy01 once sent a ridiculously long first aid kit list to the forum, but I think the fuzz might pay a visit if you tried to stock some of it.

<hr width=100% size=1>Julian

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.topcatsail.co.uk>Top Cat Homepage</A>

 

[Rigger]

Re: tetanus jab

It is not necessarry ,even for long distance cruising to carry a "tetanus Jab".The bulk of injections given in hospital casualty depts are of tetanus vaccine to those who have not previously covered thmselves against tetantus. They do not protect against tetanus from the current wound,only help to provide protection for the future. (The full immunisation course is 3 injections at 1/12 and 3-6/12intervals followed by 2 boosters at 10 yearly intervals.Anyone who has had such a course should have subsequent lifetime immunity without the need for further jabs.) With seriously at risk wounds we give anti tetanus immunoglobulin which I'm afraid is not suitable for "amateur"use and could not be stored on board boat. As regards the first aid kit I personally find most made up first aid kits a waste of space.I carry gauze swabs,micropore tape ,astrip of elastoplast,various crepe bandages,gloves ,steri strips, and super glue!! (remarkably effective and safe for closing cleanly incised wounds-just hold the skin together and apply 3-4 coats of super glue on top letting each coat dry )

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Jools_of_Top_Cat]

Re: tetanus jab

Thank you for that answer re tenanus.

I did not know what it was obviously that I was given when arriving in A&E after getting cut by a filthy chisel. I thought you had to have one every five years and if you required one for say above situation if you had not been immunised for longer than that. I also thought, as an amateur, injecting into soft tissue, would not have been too difficult with some training.

I actually feel a little safer, as my last jab was in '95, so I had thought I was well out of date.

<hr width=100% size=1>Julian

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.topcatsail.co.uk>Top Cat Homepage</A>

 

[Joe_Cole]

The Screwfix one is £16.99.

FWIW I carry a first aid kit which I got from our local Agricultural supplier. It's intended to be carried on a tractor and, other than needing a couple of eye-pads, seems to have most of what might be needed (and certainly all that my limited First Aid knowledge would be able to use). It cost about £8.

Of course SWMBO always has plasters, paracetomal etc on board, but we try to keep the first aid kit unused so that it's all there in the event of a real emergency

Joe

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Dave99]

Regarding bee stings - I assume you are referring to any alergic reaction resulting in anaphalactic shock. An epi-pen is probably the answer but users must be trained in its administration obviously.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Nick2]

After research we found that the best and as it happens cheapest kit was one that our local pharmacist made up for us. We just told him what we needed it for and he put it all together in a nice box.

Nick

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://arweb.co.uk/argallery/Nick2>http://arweb.co.uk/argallery/Nick2</A>

 

[Blue_Blazes]

Dead right Nick. Cheapest is a Tupperware box and buy the bits yourself from your local pharmacy. You can leave out the bits you are unlikely to need, and put in extra plasters, steristrips etc so you're not forever topping the kit up cos you've used it.

Bill.

<hr width=100% size=1>One of these days I'll have a boat that WORKS

 

[Shanty]

The best first aid kit to have is the one you carry between your ears - if you haven't already, go do a first aid course, preferably one oriented towards outdoor activities

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[webcraft]

Been there, got the T-shirt - between regular Norwegian and British sector first aid courses, a canoeing First Aid course plus an RYA specific one for the commercial endorsement for my Coastal Skipper (less use sadly than the Offshore ones) - I've huffed and puffed over my fair share of dummies and played origami with triangular bandages many a time . . .

However, I still reckon a few bits and pieces - sterile dressings etc - can come in handy, no matter how much I may be able to improvise due to my vast knowledge . . .

I found your post a little patronising, although I'm sure it wasn't meant to be.

- Nick




<hr width=100% size=1><font size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.bluemoment.com>http://www.bluemoment.com</A></font size=1>