Must-Have Boat First Aid Kit

When it comes to first aid kits, boats are no exception. They need to be lightweight and ensure anyone is safe at sea. 

What are the contents of a boat’s first aid kit?

Short answer: a boat’s first aid kit should include a waterproof dry bag, emergency blanket, sterile bandages and dressings, a CPR card and shears, gloves, wipes, swabs, wound closures. 

• The kit floats and can easily store your wallet, keys etc. 
• It is ideal for people who spend a lot of their time in the water – such as fishermen and surfers 
• Since it is so small it can fit into any backpack, boat and even a jet ski. 
• A lot of thought has gone into the design, provided by leading first aid experts and champion water sports athletes.

Boat First Aid Checklist

There’s a variety in terms of first aid kits available – and it doesn’t hurt to include ourselves, since we do supply boat first aid kits – the Oceans Warrior First Aid KIT.

The kit components include:

• Skin cleaning wipes x 5
• Drybag, waterproof 
• Saline, sterile, 30 ml 
• Emergency blanket, 2.1m x 1.6m in zip lock bag 
• Nitrile gloves, pair
• Hydrogel, sterile, 3.5g sachet x 5 
• Pressure bandage, medium weight 10cm x 1.8m 
• Cohesive bandage, 5cm x 2m 
• CPR card 
• Cotton gauze swabs (3 per pack), sterile, 7.5cm x 7.5cm x 4
• Bandage shears, 15 cm, stainless steel
• Adhesive dressings, sterile, individually wrapped – 2 large, 48 small
• Combine dressing, sterile, 20cm x 10cm
• Hypo allergic waterproof adhesive tape, 25mm x 4.5m
• Non-adherent wound dressing, sterile, 5cm x 5cm x 2
• Non-adherent wound dressing, sterile, 10cm x 1.8m 
• Splinter probes (5 per pack), sterile
• Triangular bandage, 96cm x 96cm x 136cm

We stock the Oceans Warrior First Aid KIT here, which has been recommended and reviewed by many happy customers. 

We also offer the option to purchase the SOF Tactical Tourniquet along with the kit here, for added protection that conveniently fits into the KIT’s spare pocket. 

The SOF Tactical Tourniquet is very essential as it is used to control massive extremity hemorrhage, having light weight and high strength aluminum components. The tourniquet is used by ambulance services and Australian Police Forces.   

The Methods of disposal for single-use boat kit supplies

The supplies in a first aid kit have to be checked regularly to ensure that they are still safe to use, and whether there are any expired or used items that need to be replaced. Any medication or other potentially hazardous materials should be disposed of properly, according to the guidelines provided by your local health department or pharmacy.

For the container or packaging of the first aid kit, it depends on the material it is made of. 

• For the container or packaging of the first aid kit, it depends on the material it is made of. 
• It's always recommended to check the labels, if there is any disposal instruction from the manufacturer or consult with local authorities for any specific guidelines in your area.
• You can go to a local medical waste disposal facility, which is the ideal method of disposal, since it is less risky and harmful. 

Note: However, these facilities will have the experience and knowledge, have special containers for sharp medical objects and other medical waste. 

If you’re looking for a quick and easily accessible option, we suggest the Survival Swap, a fully automated, cost effective, contact free first aid system that ensures your business remains fully stocked and compliant at all times.  

The Survival Swap is extremely beneficial, because it 

• Saves risks with third parties getting involved with restocking, injury, hygiene, safety and theft. 
• Time is saved with managing first aid registers and compliance checks. 
• Most importantly lives are saved because death or serious harm is prevented when you keep your supplies up to date.

Which one of the items require a refill?

Each of the items in the KIT have a numbered labeling system, which shows how many items you have, and you will be alerted when it’s time to refill and restock. 

The following items need to be refilled and restocked:

• Emergency blanket, 2.1m x 1.6m in zip lock bag
• Hypo allergic waterproof adhesive tape, 25mm x 4.5m
• Triangular bandage, 96cm x 96cm x 136cm
• Non-adherent wound dressing, sterile, 5cm x 5cm x 2
• Nitrile gloves, pair
• Combine dressing, sterile, 20cm x 10cm 
• Hydrogel, sterile, 3.5g sachet x 5 
• Cotton gauze swabs (3 per pack), sterile, 7.5cm x 7.5cm x 4 
• Splinter probes (5 per pack), sterile 
• Saline, sterile, 30 ml
• Skin cleaning wipes x 5

What is unique about a boat first aid kit?

A boat first aid kit is unique due to the fact that it is specifically designed to address the medical needs and emergencies that may arise while on a boat.

• It typically contains items that are specific to boating and water activities such as supplies for treating hypothermia and drowning. 
• It also has a waterproof case that can withstand the marine environment that could be harsh at times, unlike a regular first aid kit.
• In addition to the basic contents of a traditional first aid kit, the marine-specific items include water-resistant adhesive bandages, and a manual on first aid for boating accidents and CPR.

The SOF Tactical Tourniquet is an additional unique factor to have in a boat first aid kit because it is 

• Easy to use especially when operating under stress
• It provides more compression than other regular tourniquets 
• Single application method regardless of location. 
• It is ideal for general public use
• It is the brand of choice for police departments, EMS, and firefighters as well. 

Related Questions:

What are some common injuries that occur on boats and how can they be treated?

There are certain injuries that are prone to happen when out at sea, which are:

• Head injuries 
• Eye injury 
• Cuts and Lacerations

While these injuries are expected, they are preventable - which is why it’s best to be prepared for the worst, mainly bleeding and head injuries. 

Head injuries are quite common due to the 

• Shifting waves 
• Constant moving boat parts 
• Direct blows to the head

However, most boating head injuries can be on the minor side and can be treated to ensure they don’t get worse. The injured should lie down and maintain their body temperature at 37 degrees celsius. 

The ocean bed is where the following can be found in abundance: 

• Broken glass
• Rocks 
• Sticks 
• Other sharp objects that can be harmful

In the event that vital organs or tissues are punctured by these objects and there’s heavy bleeding, the SOF Tactical Tourniquet will help with pressure to stop the bleeding. This can be done until professional medical assistance arrives. 

Eye injury is considered to be one of the most common boat injuries because of 

• Corneal damage
• Bruising 
• Lacerations

In order to avoid this, safety gear needs to be incorporated. 

Are there any specific first aid techniques that should be known for boating emergencies?

Yes, it’s best to learn about these first aid techniques beforehand, for example:

• CPR 
• Recovery position

CPR is an very important skill to have both on land and sea, when it comes to boat first aid because it is used when

• Someone is unconscious after drowning
• Someone has limited breathing, is unresponsive and abnormal breathing 
• Suspected cardiac arrest 

Recovery position is another crucial first aid skill because it allows someone unconscious to still breathe while maintaining an open airway. 

The arms and legs are locked to stabilize the person, the mouth is downward and the chin is away from the throat to keep the epiglottis open. 

Conclusion

In this article, we discussed varieties of boat first aid kits available in the Australian market.

Before purchasing a boat first aid kit, go through the boat first aid essentials.

Consider the essential features - such as lightweight, durable and water resistant, exactly what you’ll find in the Oceans Warrior First Aid KIT.

Everyone needs to be safe when they are out at sea.

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