First Aid

29cascadefixer · #1 (**permalink**) 10-13-2002

This topic is not a happy one, but in order to be prepared, is necessary, in my opinion. Given that Doctors prescriptions are first priority, what other equipment would you prefer to have on board to handle personal injury. Are pre-made First aid kits ok, and if not , what additions to them would you make?

kimberlite · #2 (**permalink**) 10-13-2002

where are you planning on sailing?
are you coastal cruising or going offshore?
eric

29cascadefixer · #3 (**permalink**) 10-13-2002

Why would coastal or offshore make any difference? An injury is an injury, correct ?

kimberlite · #4 (**permalink**) 10-13-2002

Actually it does make a difference.
if you are sailing coastally you probably dont need antibiotics, major pain meds such as morphine, skin staplers, suture kit, inflatible splints, dental kit, obstetric kit, iv kit
as these items would be available in an hour or two. blue water kits are much different thank coastal.

look at seaside marine pharmacys website. they have some very good coastal and offshore kits.
eric

hamiam · #5 (**permalink**) 10-17-2002

Eric is correct. The type of sailing you do has everything to do with what kind of medical kit you buy/put together. Basically you need to determine the maximum amount of time it will take you to get help and build/buy your kit based on this. As there has been numerous articles criticizing the pre-made kits, I chose to put my own together. I use a large pellican case and small clear tupperware containers to hold stuff. I have split things into various categories including: minor trauma, major trauma, medications, topical, etc. The contents is based on various articles I read here on sailnet as well as in other magazines.

29cascadefixer · #6 (**permalink**) 10-19-2002

Ok-if the pre-made kits aren''t what they should be, would just going to a Bleed, Break and Burn set-up be enough. Most of my sailing will be in the Great Lakes so won''t be more than a day or two away from help.

kimberlite · #7 (**permalink**) 10-19-2002

i would disagree with the statment that pre-made kits are no good.
seaside pharmacy in california has been making some very heavy duty medical kits for over 100 years. In fact if you have a documented boat they will provide almost all needed prescription drugs including some pretty heavy duty pain killers (toridol injectable) and antibiotics.
i have had one trauma doctor and one trauma surgeon go through the kit they made for me and they had nothing to add.
i would suggest you contact them and tell them where you are going and they will make the appropriate kit.
fair winds,
eric