Items to Keep in Your First Aid Kit on Your Boat

Accidents happen every day on the water, whether you’re fishing or hanging out with the family. Even the most experienced boater can find themselves in trouble. To protect yourself and your loved ones, you need a boating first aid kit to keep in your boat. Make sure you have these necessities in your kit. 

1. First Aid Guide

A book about administering first aid can help you figure out what to do if someone gets hurts. The book offers basic how-tos for moderate to severe injuries. Using the directions, you can patch someone up well enough until they can see a doctor. 

2. Storage Container

Put all your items in a container and stow it somewhere that is easy to access on your boat. 

3. Over-The-Counter Painkillers

You should have a selection of over-the-counter painkillers since each serves a different purpose: 

• Aspirin for a possible heart attack
• Ibuprofen to relieve pain
• Acetaminophen for people who are allergic to ibuprofen

4. Eye Wash

Riding at high speed in a boat can lead to irritated eyes, especially if you wear contacts. Use eye wash to flush the eyes and get out grit, dirt or even chemicals. 

5. Burn Cream 

Be sure to have burn cream available because you want something that can treat both sunburns, a frequent medical issue on boats, or a galley burn. For a severe burn, you will need to seek medical attention. 

6. Cotton Swabs or Pads 

You should clean out a cut before applying the dressing and covering it. Use cotton pads or swabs to get as much dirt as possible out of the area. 

7. Bandages

Keep a wide selection of adhesive bandages in your kit. You may need small ones to staunch bleeding or bigger ones to cover more serious wounds. 

8. Antiseptic Spray and/or Ointment

Infection prevention is an essential focus if someone gets a cut. You can slather on ointment or use a few quick sprays to protect the wound. 

9. Sterile Absorbent Pads

These can protect more significant wounds and keep them clean after you have applied the antiseptic. 

10. Rolled Gauze

Sometimes you need more coverage for a wound than what a small bandage can provide. When an injury is more substantial, rolled gauze can cover the area and offer more robust protection. 

11. Foil Blanket

If someone goes into shock, wrap them in a foil blanket to maintain their body temperature.

12. Tweezers

The tweezers come in handy when someone gets a splinter or otherwise needs something removed. 

13. Alcohol Wipes

Use alcohol wipes on tweezers or hands to sterilize them before use. 

14. Disposable Gloves

Put on disposable gloves before doing anything where you could touch bodily fluids.

Having marine aid kits on hand can set your mind at ease for any outing. Before you begin on your boat ride, you also should ask if anyone has medicine allergies and make sure at least two people know how to operate the VHF radio so that you can use it in an emergency. Bring plenty of water to remain hydrated, and apply sunscreen to avoid painful burns. For dock storage and other items, be sure to browse EZ Dock products so you can keep everything organized when you’re not on the water.