First aid equipment on board

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Oscarpop

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We are currently looking at the first aid supplies we will need whilst on board and circumnavigating

We are lucky enough to both be medically trained and able to purchase pretty much what we need from medical suppliers.

So far we are going to go with a full trauma kit:

http://evaq8.co.uk/MEDICAL-GRAB-BAG...nt-Pack.html?gclid=CP2iq9LKv70CFafKtAodl1wAIA

We are also going to carry a full emergency drug kit, for common emergencies.Plus sutures, sedatives, pain killers, dental extraction forceps, full dental emergency kit, blah , blah

We are also toying with the idea of buying a defibrillator for the boat ( just in case)

Is this overkill?
 
As you are trained and have the room, why not?

In the ocean crossings Ive done, I used the MCA first aid kit for Code 0 yachts and took extra Brufen for the day after arrival party!

To be sensible about it though, would need regular checks to keep stuff in date. Probably the biggest hassle, replacing expired stuff. Lots of places we have cruised though have medicines over counter rather than by UK prescription.

Happy voyaging!
 
Oscarpop said:
We are currently looking at the first aid supplies we will need whilst on board and circumnavigating

We are lucky enough to both be medically trained and able to purchase pretty much what we need from medical suppliers.

So far we are going to go with a full trauma kit:

http://evaq8.co.uk/MEDICAL-GRAB-BAG...nt-Pack.html?gclid=CP2iq9LKv70CFafKtAodl1wAIA

We are also going to carry a full emergency drug kit, for common emergencies.Plus sutures, sedatives, pain killers, dental extraction forceps, full dental emergency kit, blah , blah

We are also toying with the idea of buying a defibrillator for the boat ( just in case)

Is this overkill?
Click to expand...

The most comprehensive (by far) med-kit I have found: http://www.oceanmedix.com/?_siteid=...fdd29a14bd6ed2f&action=sku&sku=cOM-marine3000

It's wife approved (she was an army paramedic in a previous life).
So, when we eventually cast off, it looks like we'll be getting one of those.

Alas, also 'not cheap'.
 
We have four boxes on board:

1. Routine medicines such as indigestion remedies, brufren, cold and flu remedies and the like plus bulk prescription medicines.
2. Creams and lotions, such as anti histamine, insect bite, after sun and the like. Not really medicines but kept with box 1 for simplicity.
3. Minor first aid kit; plasters, wipes etc. Its one of the belt pouches and is the most frequently used.
4. Significant injury kit. Bandages, dressings, splints and the like to cope with large cut and fractures.

We don't have any skills such as setting up drips, stitching wounds and the like, so don't carry supplies to carry out that sort of stuff. We've used all the boxes at one time or another since we set out but have never required anything beyond what we have, as yet. If we were doing an ocean crossing, we'd consider taking a bit more training and expanding the kit to match new skill sets. As ever, money and time are the constraints here.
 
Keeping stuff in date is a major issue. The more you have the worse it gets. In particular you may find it difficult to replace morphine and some Customs officers may have a sense of humour failure if they see it. Don't ask me how I know that - I run ships for a living.

May I put in a small recommendation that the mon-medically trained carry a copy of the Ship Captain's Medical Guide
 
Oscarpop said:
We are currently looking at the first aid supplies we will need whilst on board and circumnavigating

We are lucky enough to both be medically trained and able to purchase pretty much what we need from medical suppliers.

So far we are going to go with a full trauma kit:

http://evaq8.co.uk/MEDICAL-GRAB-BAG...nt-Pack.html?gclid=CP2iq9LKv70CFafKtAodl1wAIA

We are also going to carry a full emergency drug kit, for common emergencies.Plus sutures, sedatives, pain killers, dental extraction forceps, full dental emergency kit, blah , blah

We are also toying with the idea of buying a defibrillator for the boat ( just in case)

Is this overkill?
Click to expand...

Nope, if you have the room, get everything you can. Defib, the lot. I did
 
capnsensible said:
The chapter on dying and death is, um, direct....
Click to expand...

The bit about sticking a pipe up the japseye has me wincing and crossing my legs as well :)

I have a hardback copy on board. Most of it's not really relevant to a Channel cruiser, but it's nice to feel informed.

Pete
 
Personally thinking I believe the defibrillator is much more likely to save a life than a life raft.
My wife managed to load the boat up with extensive medical supplies, most were still there when we sold it, but it was reassuring to know it was there if needed.
 
>Keeping stuff in date is a major issue.

On ships that is obviously a problem I assume it's a regulation. On a yacht it's not a problem, from experience out of date drugs work fine and are usually used by Medicines Sans Frontier who get them free, only one turns poisonous but it not one a yacht would carry. Codeine contains Morphine if you are found with it in America look forward to being arrested.
 
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KellysEye said:
>Keeping stuff in date is a major issue.

On ships that is obviously a problem I assume it's a regulation. On a yacht it's not a problem, from experience out of date drugs work fine and are usually used by Medicines Sans Frontier who get them free, only one turns poisonous but it not one a yacht would carry. Codeine contains Morphine if you are found with it in America look forward to being arrested.
Click to expand...

I believe that so long as you carry a letter on headed note paper from someone able to prescribe it, saying that it has been prescribed, you are ok.

Please let me know if you have heard to the contrary
 
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