First aid kits

[DanTribe]

We have some visitors coming so thought I would check the first aid box
Newest items were 2019 and some items looked like they belonged in a museum or a period drama.
Also perhaps a refresher course is a good idea.
How often do you check?

 

[Martin_J]

It would be interesting to hear the oldest 'time expired' item anyone finds in their first aid boxes but I doubt anyone would own up..

The most often checked years were when my sister was a nurse and she often used to bring friends sailing..

After my safety introduction on board, she and her nurse friends would check out the safety equipment location chart, find the first aid boxes/bags and go through every item, quizzing the rest of us on what each bit was for how exactly we would (or could) use each and every item..

It was always a useful refresher..

 

[[70521]]

Items are replaced when used.

To date nothing has turned to dust.

An early first aid course was presented by a guy who was a shipbuilder, his comment was 'use what you have at hand the medics are going to turn the patients arse into a pint cushion'.

So far nobody has died.

 

[Seashoreman]

As I am generally a solo sailor I have always doubted the inclusion of an arm sling. Never any decent finger plasters included and a few paracetamol come in handy.

 

[Boathook]

We have some visitors coming so thought I would check the first aid box
Newest items were 2019 and some items looked like they belonged in a museum or a period drama.
Also perhaps a refresher course is a good idea.
How often do you check?

I don't check to often but have just purchased a Cat C first aid kit so ok for the next 3 years. In my original first aid box it is the old plasters that don't stick so I renew them as required and will continue to do so to avoid opening the pretty kit !

I also did a 1day RYA first aid course earlier this year which was worthwhile.

 

[Petertheking1982]

At my parents they still a few old bandages the midwife gave my mum when I was born over 40 years ago. Unlike modern bandages they don't have a date on, so assume still good to use!

 

[Cerebus]

I don't check to often but have just purchased a Cat C first aid kit so ok for the next 3 years. In my original first aid box it is the old plasters that don't stick so I renew them as required and will continue to do so to avoid opening the pretty kit !

I also did a 1day RYA first aid course earlier this year which was worthwhile.

What is the green box of your cat c first aid kit like?

Mine is difficult to close and one catch has already snapped off.

 

[Stemar]

Medication - including paracetamol expires, and will eventually deteriorate, especially in the heat of a boat closed up on a sunny day. Plasters and tape will probably lose their stickiness eventually, but a bandage or plain dressing will still be a bandage just as capable of doing its job long after we - or our children - are beyond any need for them

 

[rogerthebodger]

Medication - including paracetamol expires, and will eventually deteriorate, especially in the heat of a boat closed up on a sunny day. Plasters and tape will probably lose their stickiness eventually, but a bandage or plain dressing will still be a bandage just as capable of doing its job long after we - or our children - are beyond any need for them

I take my first aid kit to my local pharmacist (chemist) to replace any items that have gone off or expired to keep my FAK up to date all the time as FAKs are inspected every year where I sail

 

[Boathook]

What is the green box of your cat c first aid kit like?

Mine is difficult to close and one catch has already snapped off.

Came in a sealed orange bag.
I must hunt around at home and see if I have a plastic "tubberware type" box for it to go into for when it is eventually opened.

 

[penberth3]

It would be interesting to hear the oldest 'time expired' item anyone finds in their first aid boxes but I doubt anyone would own up..

Beat this. At work about 30 years ago I found a Resuscitator, O2 bottle in a wooden case. The "Next Test Due" label gave a date some time in 1948. This must have been a WW2 item!

Regarding Kit items, what never appears on any list is a large quantity of paper towels and tissues. You'll probably be cleaning up a lot of mess before you do anything else.

 

[Cerebus]

Came in a sealed orange bag.
I must hunt around at home and see if I have a plastic "tubberware type" box for it to go into for when it is eventually opened.

Best idea.

My green box containing the orange bag is not fit for purpose; the edges that don’t meet properly are possibly sharp enough to cause a cut in a finger.

It is about 15 years old so the design may have improved.

Also there is no way it is waterproof but your Tupperware box will be.

 

[lustyd]

It would be interesting to hear the oldest 'time expired' item anyone finds in their first aid boxes but I doubt anyone would own up..

My Kendal mint cake expired in May 2005. I reckon it’s still better than no Kendal mint cake in an emergency

 

[Ray Purchase]

Mother would have recommended clean underwear.

 

[davidej]

We had a brain surgeon join us for a cruise.

We ended up with enough instruments to do a skull trepanning!

 

[MontyMariner]

It would be interesting to hear the oldest 'time expired' item anyone finds in their first aid boxes but I doubt anyone would own up..

When I bought my boat 25 years ago it had a FA box screwed to the wall.
It's still there unused.

 

[MontyMariner]

In my original first aid box it is the old plasters that don't stick

Toilet paper and masking / sellotape along with an antiseptic does a good job.

 

[Refueler]

Toilet paper and masking / sellotape along with an antiseptic does a good job.

Spray on 'plaster' ... and once dry - tissue and sellotape !

For small cut closure ..... Super Glue run along the top of a cut held closed ...... but ideally it should be Medical Grade CA ...

 

[DanTribe]

It would be interesting to hear the oldest 'time expired' item anyone finds in their first aid boxes but I doubt anyone would own up..

The most often checked years were when my sister was a nurse and she often used to bring friends sailing..

After my safety introduction on board, she and her nurse friends would check out the safety equipment location chart, find the first aid boxes/bags and go through every item, quizzing the rest of us on what each bit was for how exactly we would (or could) use each and every item..

It was always a useful refresher..

My kit contained several bandages without dates, so presumably from before stuff was dated, About early 1970s?
I had to attend periodic first aid courses for work. It seemed that each course advised that you did less intervention than the previous one, just put the casualty into the recovery position, No sticky plasters, painkillers or sprays, or even inhalers unless the casualty could get it themselves. Reasoning was that less harm would be done but it always seemed to be to avoid any litigation.

 

[alahol2]

Prompted to check ours. Most of it seems to have a best before date of 2003.So quite good compared to some here.