Quick Take on the Daysail/Costal Cruising Medical Kit
I'm having a slow day at work so I will try and post this from memory and random thoughts, I reserve the right to edit it when I get home and can get to my lists.
First some caveat's
1. This is my opinion at this point in time, if you ask 3 medical people for their opinion, you are likely to get 5-6 answers.
2. I am a minimalist when I can be, I prefer objects with multiple uses.
3. This is intended for use within 3-4 hours of formal medical attention by laypersons. Things change quickly when offshore or more than a few hours from attention.
4. This is not all inclusive, but I think it provides a reasonable amount of safety and ability to respond to emergency situations.
5. As I stated above, I would be more than glad to help anyone with individual kit needs.
6. All of these items should be available over-the-counter. Prescription items do have a role in a proper medical kit in my opinion, but for now I am not going to list my preferences here.
7. I will post the item, sometimes a brief explanation, and a quick cost estimate. These are in no particular order, just as I think of them.
First Aid Manual - pick your favorite, I like Weiss's but many others exist and are well written. Go to a used book store and look through them, pick one with topics by body regions/complaints not diagnosis. $15
Hydration/Electrolyte replacement - pick your favorite type but preferably in a flavor you don't like so it is there when you need it. $5
Moleskin - blister coverage $1
Mosquito Spray - yes I consider it first aid, Dengue Fever anyone? $3
Sunblock - see above but substitute bad sunburn $10
Antibiotic Ointment - after cleansing wound and before covering $1
4x4 guaze - covers all wounds, clean but not sterile $1
Vet Wrap - stretchy tape like substance, somewhat waterproof, self adhesive, works to hold on guaze or protect joints like Ace Wraps - $2/roll
Tylenol - Safe in most people allergic to Aspirin or Ibuprofen - $3
Naprosyn - Great anti-inflamatory/pain med - $5
Benadryl - good for minor allergic reactions, helps in motion sickness, helps with nausea $1
Betadine solution - dilute and use as wound cleanser, 10 drops/liter of water will purify relatively clean water in an emergency (tastes terrible though) $1
Chemical Ice Packs - great for injuries, rapid adult beverage chilling
reusable models do exist $2-5 each
Eye Wash solution - rinse that seagull cr$%p out of your eyes $2
Gloves - medical gloves rip/tear/break down over time. Clean pair of dishwashing gloves doesn't (pink is a nice color on all of us
) $3
Hydrocortisone Cream - good for most rashes/itching - $1
Immodium - Antidiarrheal nuff said $3
Hemostats - great for splinters, toolkits, holding stuff up and together 4/$7
Safety Pins - slings and other uses most don't want to think of - $1
Sam Splint - shapeable, sizeable splint for most common sprains/fractures - $20
EMS Shears - cuts almost anything but skin - $5
Triangle Bandage - Great for slings - $1
Alcohol Hand Gel - pre and post bloody mess clean up for your hands, seriously though, studies show at least as effective as soap and water if not more so - $2
Ziplocks to keep it dry and a bag to carry and organize it in (use one of the numerous conference bags we have all received as giveaways.
Estimated cost (if my math is right, I don't have a calculator in front of me right now.................
$104
Much less than most prepacked kits. Although if anyone wants to send me $300 or so, I'll be glad to pack this all up in a conference bag of my choice and ship it to you.
Okay let the yeah but what about.....? begin
Seriously, I'll be glad to answer any questions ya'll have. I'm sure I didn't think of everything, but I do have opinions (some rather strong) on many of the items sold to boaters in the name of medical "safety."
Michael