First Aid Kit on Board

Tips to buy a yacht

I know that boating is all about having fun in your free time while discovering new places. Nonetheless, like any other activity, this hobby also implies some risks. As much as we hate it, accidents can take place on board so you need to be cautious and keep yourself and your crew safely. In order to handle unpredicted incidents efficiently, you need a well-furnished first aid kit. Let’s go deeper into this matter to see how you can get the best kit for your boat.

Tiwal2 inflatable dinghy

What Should I Pay Attention to?

First and foremost, the items you hold in your kit should be provided with appropriate indications. You might be miles away from land when one of the members of your crew needs medical assistance. Chances are that none of the other passengers have any medical experience. So, your only chance at helping your friend is to have the usage instructions for all the products that are included in your first aid kit. Regardless of the place where you’ve bought them from and whether they came separately or as a package, all your first aid items must contain precise indications. This is particularly important for medications. And so is your duty to read them thoroughly before administration.

Where Can I Get the Kit from?

This is your least concern because there are so many choices out there. The easiest way to provide your vessel with a proper safety kit is to purchase one from a store that sells boating products. A completely equipped kit will spare you the time and effort you would otherwise invest in buying the necessary products separately. Of course, you can also opt for the latter choice if it benefits you. Moreover, if you’re too busy to search for a specialized shop or simply prefer to do the shopping from home, you can also order a safety kit online.

If you have the necessary time and patience, it’s highly recommended that you do some first aid courses. I know the idea might not seem too appealing, but the outcomes can be life-saving – literally. The training provided by the Red Cross First Aid are one common option, but you can enroll for any other course that provides the same or related type of information. For instance, you can take disability courses to learn how to treat people with disabilities. You can use this knowledge to provide aid to those who require it on board. This training offers basic knowledge for the regular layperson who needs to assist an injured person

What Should My Kit Contain?

Your first aid box has to be provided with those items that enable you to support a crew mate who’s suffered an injury. Basically, this is your source of medical supplies. Of course, bandages and hand sanitizers are essential, but there’s much more to include in your first aid kit. Here’s a list of the stuff you should get:
• seasickness medicines, because we all know how this issue can ruin a perfect holiday
• sticky band aid for cuts (here’s a tip: get the strip type, it’s easier to use)
• medical adhesive tape
• gauze pads
• bandages for sprains that need wrapping and those used for closing cuts
• splint material in case the victim believes the injury caused a broken bone
• antibiotic ointment to prevent skin infections
• hand sanitizers to clean the wounds or cuts efficiently
• burn gel
• gloves are a must when treating wounds, so have at least one pair on board
• painkillers and anti-inflammatory medicines are always good to have
• an anti-allergy medicine
• a thermometer in case someone suspects they have a fever
• some extra sun screen
• tweezers
• adhesive tapes

Is there Anything Else I Should Do?

If you have the necessary time and patience, it’s highly recommended that you do some first aid courses. I know the idea might not seem too appealing, but the outcomes can be life-saving – literally. The training provided by the Red Cross First Aid are one common option, but you can enroll for any other course that provides the same type of information. These training offer basic knowledge for the regular layperson who needs to assist an injured person.
Moreover, first aid abilities are always useful. You don’t have to be secluded on a remote island to show your skills. The need to do it might arise at any time in any place.

Hopefully, you won’t need to use your first aid kit anytime soon, but it’s always wise to be prepared. Until next time, sail safely and don’t forget to check out to rest of our blog if you need any other sailing tips.

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