On Board First Aid kit

[npf1]

So what do you have in your cruising first aid kit? I'm just putting one together so would be interested to know what forum members keep in theirs and where to get the supplies. Who sells suitable fully equiped kits?

Thanks in advance for your wisdom!

 

[MedMan]

For Injuries:
Antiseptic Wound-wash solution
Sterile dressings & adhesive tape to fix
Bandages of every shape and size including finger dressings
Steristrips

For Infection:
Several courses of different antibiotics
Antiseptic creams and iodine solution

Misc:
Variety of creams for bites and stings + antihistamine tablets
Selection of painkillers of various strengths
Cold and flu remedies (very rarely needed other than just after flying back out)
Potions to ease and potions to check the movement of food through the gut.


Of all of these, the creams for bites and stings are the only thing used on anything like a regular basis. On the whole, crusing is a pretty healthy pastime!

 

[dk]

Hi
This is what I got together for a recent Atlantic circuit. Make sure you have plenty of stuff for burns as these often go septic very quickly and are more common accidents (rope burns, cooking fat etc) than you might expect.
You need to find a friendly doc for prescription only items such as antibiotics, preferably one who understands the needs of bluewater sailors.

Bandages - crepe
Bandages - open weave
Bandages - Tubigrip supports
Cotton wool
Dressings – for burns
Dressings – Melolin for wounds
Elastoplast assorted
Elastoplast roll
Eyepad with headband
Gauze - sterile absorbent
Gloves
Steri-strip sutures
Tweezers
Vaseline
Zinc oxide tape

Acriflex Burn cream/antiseptic
Antiseptic cream Open wounds
Calamine Sunburn, rashes
Ciprofloxacin Antibiotic
Co-Amoxyclav Antibiotic
Codis Pain killer
Co-Proxamol Analgesic pain killer
Daktarin Antifungal cream
Deep heat Pain relief
Dental kit Emergency filling repair
Diclophenac Analgesic pain killer
Dioralyte Water & salt repl
Dulco-Lax Laxative
Erythromycin Antibiotic
Flamazine Burn cream
Gaviscon liquid Indigestion
Germoline New Skin Spray-on skin
HC45 Hydrocortisone cream
Ibubrofen Painkiller
Imodium Stomach upsets
Lipsalve Chapped lips
Optrex Eye lotion
Paracetamol Pain killer
Piriton Skin allergies, bites
PR spray Pain relief
Remegel tablets Indigestion
Savlon Dry Antiseptic spray
Sodium Bicarbonate Indigestion
Sofradex Ear drops
Soluble aspirin Pain killer
Stugeron Seasickness
Sunblock Sun protection
Surgical spirit Cleaning wounds
Thermometer
Vaseline

Hope this helps!
Duncan

 

[gwennols]

dont forget a good first aid manual

 

[chrisb]

perhaps a first aid course would be useful-try st johns . what you need to take may be influenced by where you intend to go.there is a pharmacist in the channel isles who will sell you a modular kit that builds to major surgery . also very expensive. and perhaps largely not needed if you do not know how to use it

 

[Talbot]

The following links may be of value:
Commercial marine requirements

Access to a downloadable version of Ship's Captains Medical Gude

 

[Roberto]

this medical kit list can also be useful

 

[npf1]

Thanks for all the info. Much to think about. I've done basics first aid courses but may have to consider something more comprehensive.

 

[Sea Devil]

What Talbot posts is very good - The ships captain medical book is really the only book for ocean passages - the problem then of impact injuries and broken limbs from falls is very real and you can be weeks from assistance.

With the help of some doctors I have put together a page on my web site listing the items you may need - could be worth a visit and the book is really essential - I think!

 

[Anonymous]

For seasickness you can now buy Scopoderm patches (stick behind the ear last for 72hrs) from Boots. No other pharmacies, it seems, only Boots sell it off script although it has recently been made a P item rather than POM. This is a brilliant product (hyoscine, same as the drug in UK Kwells) and works much better than the tablets. I wonder whether they will work as well for SWMBO as they did when they were on script only? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[MedMan]

[ QUOTE ]
Hyoscine, same as the drug in UK Kwells

[/ QUOTE ]

Boots Travel Calm tablets also contain Hyoscine and are cheaper.

 

[Anonymous]

[ QUOTE ]
Boots Travel Calm tablets also contain Hyoscine and are cheaper.

[/ QUOTE ]Yes, much cheaper but you can't stick them behind your ear /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[roly_voya]

There is no point in carrying stuff you can't use and also it's what you know not what you carry that saves lives so as someone already said what you may need is training. Based on this you can then put together something appropriate for your needs and experience depending on your crew, cruising area etc. St Johns is a good start but aimed at first aid where madical support is no more than 15min away. At sea you will need to manage an injury/illness for a long period of time. The only course aimed at this is the ships captains medical cert.
Once you have the trainning you also need some exerience!! Most people are so hyped up and full of adrenaline the first time they are involved in a serious incident they can't think straight so if you have time you might consider doing some voluntary duty with St Johns
A good person to talk would probably be the local casualty dept, particularly if you can find one of the nurses that is also a sailor. Another equally good source of advice might be the medic on the local life boat, you coud try getting a few people together or the local sailing club and I am sure they would do a talk as part of the sea safety scheme.
The other aspect to consider is if you want long range comms - the ability to get outside medical advice seams a significant plus for installing a sat phone or SSB.
Fortunatly major incidents are rare most people just have to deal with scrapes and bruises plus the odd jippy tummy but in the end it comes down to what makes you feel comfortable and properly prepared.