During our 21-day passage from the Galapagos to the Marquesas I listened over the HF radio as a boat several hundred miles ahead of us explained that a crew member had gotten a minor cut on their hand from a fish hook two days previous. They cleaned the wound but it now looked infected and strange red streaks appeared on his arm. The antibiotics they had on-board were well passed the expiration date and they wouldn’t reach land for at least another week.
The whole crew was extremely worried, and rightly so, the red streaks were a tell-tale sign of blood poisoning. Thankfully a nearby boat was able to divert course and deliver some much needed medication and advice in time. The sailor made a full recovery. A comprehensive on-board medical kit and some basic first aid training were all the inexperienced crew needed to prevent a minor injury from becoming a life threatening situation.
Above: A Basic First Aid Kit. Photo by Roger Brown via Pexels.
BUY vs. DIY
Buying a basic, off-the-shelf first aid kit, designed for outdoor activities makes total sense if you are a day sailor and your vessel can return to shore quickly in case of a serious medical emergency. These kits include medical supplies to address minor wounds, as well as items like triangle bandages and small splints that allow you to immobilize a broken finger or sprained arm until you can reach a hospital later that same day.
If you have bigger sailing plans, and a bigger budget, there are several reputable companies that will tailor a medical kit to your vessel. These marine specific kits can comply to USCG and/or international standards and will ensure that the items included suit both the number of crew and the vessel’s itinerary.
Putting together your own medical kit is a great way to save a few bucks, get familiar with the medical supplies, and brush up on first aid knowledge. It is also a great off season boating activity that even junior sailors can get involved in.
MED KIT BASICS
When I put together our on-board medical kit, I choose to use stackable plastic boxes with tight fitting lids. The outsides of the boxes are clearly labelled, and they are all stored in a dry, easy to reach spot. Each box holds items that needed to deal with a specific type of injury so that unneeded equipment doesn’t get dragged out when dealing with a crisis.
The following is a general guideline of what we carry in our kit. This it is by no means a definitive list of supplies and equipment and will vary depending on your sailing destinations. Because we often sail to remote destinations, we also carry an emergency dental repair kit, a digital blood pressure cuff, and a suture kit.
EVERYDAY, MINOR INJURIES:
- Adhesive Bandages, various shapes, and sizes
- Small gauze and Tape
- Saline Solution for clean minor wounds & Eyewash
- Antiseptic Ointment/Spray
- Topical Antibiotic Cream
- Ibuprofen & Acetaminophen for everyday pain relief
- Seasickness Tablets (Dramamine, etc)
- Over the Counter Allergy Medication
- Digital Thermometer
- Topical rub for sore muscles such as Tiger Balm/A535
- Small Scissors & Tweezers
- White Vinegar for jellyfish stings
SERIOUS CUTS, BURNS, & BREAKS:
- Large gauze, lots
- Tape, assorted sizes, and styles
- Rolled Gauze, different sizes
- Sanitary Pads & Tampons, extremely absorbent and can fill puncture wounds
- Saline Solution & Syringes without Needles
- Butterfly bandages/SteriStrips
- Non-Adhering Burn Dressings
- Burn Gel
- Super Glue
- Small roll of Duct Tape
- Quick Activated Cold Packs
- Nitrile Gloves & Surgical Mask
- Large Safety Scissors for removing clothing
- Disposable Scalpel
- Precision Tweezers & Safety Pins
- Pen Light
- Magnifying Glass
- CPR Mouth Guards
- Triangle Bandage
- SAM Splint
- Neck Brace
Items like gauze, burn dressing, and syringes come individually sealed in sterile packaging and should be kept intact.
PRESCRIPTIONS & MEDICATIONS:
- Broad Spectrum Antibiotics
- Heavy Duty Pain Medication
- Diarrhoea, Constipation, & Gastro Reflux Meds
- Eye & Ear Drops
- Topical Creams for Yeast Infections & Skin Irritations
FIRST AID MANUAL
An often-overlooked part of the medical kit is a comprehensive first aid manual. Even if you have lots of experience in first aid situations having a good manual on board that can be used as a reference and refresher is important. I prefer a physical book for several reasons. There is no chance of the battery being flat when you need it, no matter how young or old everyone knows how to open a book, and a book stands up to being handled with wet or bloody hands much better than a device.
A first aid manual that has clear, step-by-step explanations and lots of pictures ensures that in a crisis even someone who is panicked can read and follow directions. Investing in a volume that deals with the latitudes you plan on sailing is also a good idea. Medical issues experienced in the hot, humid tropics are much different than those common in cooler areas.
SEEK PROFESSIONAL ADVICE
If you are putting together a medical kit for an extended voyage, it is best to consult a physician. Explain your intended destinations, any health concerns you might have and accident scenarios that might occur on board. The doctor should advise whether immunizations or preventative medicine for localized health risks such as malaria are required. They can also to prescribe antibiotics, prescription pain relief, and other prescription medications that are needed for the medical kit and advise on how to administer medication. If you are travelling with kids, it is important to get advice on symptoms and medication specific to children. Pharmacies in the western world provide detailed print outs about drug side effects and dosages. Instead of tossing these in the trash take a few minutes to review the information and then store them with the medication for future reference.
Most countries that we have sailed to it has been cheap and easy to see a doctor or visit a pharmacy to resupply. To avoid confusion, I always take old prescription medication or empty packaging to ensure that I get the correct medicine, even if I don’t speak the language. A medical clinic or a pharmacy is also the best place to discard of any unwanted or expired medication, as they should have the proper facilities to destroy them. It is never a good idea to throw unused or expired medicine overboard, and taking expired medication is not recommended and can sometimes lead to fatal complications.
Also, be aware that extreme temperatures cause medications to expiry more rapidly and heat and humidity can quickly degrade adhesive bandages. Make it a habit to replenish and restock the medical kit before leaving a major port or departing on an extended voyage. When restocking, remember to consider how many crew members will be on board for the voyage and that there is always a chance of a relapse or reinfection before you’ll find another pharmacy.
FIRST AID SKILLS
Having a properly kitted out medical kit on board is only helpful if you are confident in how to act in an emergency medical situation. Taking a first aid course will ensure that you learn proper techniques and training. If you are sailing offshore than taking an advance medical course that includes CPR training is advised. These classes provide in-depth training to handle serious situations at sea when it may be days before the injured person can be brought to a medical professional. If it has been more than two years since your last certification than taking a refresher course before heading to sea will ensure the safety of you and your crew should an accident happen.
Putting a medical kit together can be a daunting task, after all your life might depend on, but this pre-departure preparation will make sure that any unplanned first aid situations in port or at sea can be properly treated.
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