LAHOWIND » Just you, me, + the dog.

Starter First Aid Kit for Cruising

I say “starter” because #1. I think I may have forgotten 1 or 2 items on my first trip to the store (typical), #2. we’ve never done this before and I certainly don’t want to come across as “Miss-I-Think-I’m-the-Expert-on-First-Aid” (because I’m most certainly am not!), and most importantly #3. we haven’t technically finished our kit yet — there are still two shopping bags full of first aid loot just hanging out on our bedroom floor (like everything else these days). But at least we’ve started it, right?

^^I definitely got a few odd looks from fellow shoppers while snapping multiple photos of my shopping cart — with my “big” camera nonetheless.^^

When we first began researching “marine first aid kits” my mind was blown by the sheer cost of these crazy kits.  A decent (already prepared) kit can cost anywhere from $250 to upwards of $1,000. Yes, one thousand! Insane!

Don’t get me wrong, we thoroughly realize the importance of safety and being well-prepared.  Safety is our #1 priority folks.  However, spending $750+ on a complete kit seems ludicrous. We’ve pretty much decided that the makers of these kits love highlighting the “item count” and throw in a bunch of bogus crap just to hit a certain number. So, unless some generous donor wants to gift us one of these fancy kits, we’ll be going to DIY route and saving bookoo bucks in the process.  As you might recall, we didn’t have a problem diy-ing Oliver’s doggie first aid kit, and his medicine cabinet is way bigger than ours so this should be a breeze! 😉

To get the ball rolling on health and first aid, Jereme and I (mostly me) made appointments with all of our necessary doctors (GP, dentist, GYN, skin doc, eye doc, etc.) for routine check-ups long before we set sail (which will hopefully be soon) and before we lose our insurance (also happening soon).  We spoke with each of them regarding key items we should have on board while cruising for the next year or so.  They agreed that a DIY first aid kit was the way to go. From these very helpful (and reassuring) convos, we created the following list of items to include in our first aid kit:

  • Neosporin
  • Cortizone cream
  • Benadryl
  • Advil
  • Aspirin
  • Cold/flu medicine
  • Cough syrup
  • Cough drops
  • Pepto
  • Pepcid
  • Tums
  • Motion sickness meds (over the counter)
  • Ear drops (like swimear)
  • Nasal spray
  • Glyoxide mouth numbing medication
  • Laxative
  • AZO UTI relief
  • Eye wash
  • Artificial tears
  • Alcohol
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • Vicks
  • Icy hot
  • Vasoline
  • Bandaids (all sizes + waterproof)
  • Wraps/gauze
  • Sterile dressings
  • Adhesive tape
  • Steri-strips
  • Butterfly closures
  • Cottonballs
  • Cotton swabs
  • Q-tips
  • Thermometer
  • Tweezers
  • Scissors
  • Gloves
  • Safety pins

After preparing what we think is a pretty broad list of items (many of which we’ve never even had to use in our regular lives before, so hopefully we won’t really even need them in the islands), I set out to purchase our extensive list as cost effectively as possible. And as much as I hate shopping at Walmart (I’m more of a Target girl myself), I headed over to our local Wal-mizzy because they seemed to be the cheapest. I picked up all of the items included on the list above for right around $100. Not bad, I suppose! Although, we still need to store these items in some sort of organized “kit-like” fashion, which has yet to be done.  I can’t imagine the storage portion of this project would cost more than a few dollars. We have plenty of old toiletry bags we can utilize.

Aside from the list above, we also made sure to secure scripts for any meds that would be helpful to have on hand while sailing, such as multiple courses of antibiotics, prescription anti-nausea medicine, etc.  Those have already been purchased too!

We are also looking into various marine first aid manuals.  I’ve found several first aid guides for my Kindle that I’m considering purchasing (they’re way cheaper than similar print books), like the Marine Medicine Comprehensive Guide, Handbook of First Aid and Emergency Care, and even this The First-Aid Companion for Dogs & Cats.

Here’s to being prepared and hoping we never have to use our new first aid kit!

>>Thanks for visiting LAHOWIND sailing blog! We’d love for you to get to know us and follow our story as we attempt to navigate a whole new world of sailing as we cruise the Bahamas + Caribbean.

Jesse K on s/v SmittyJanuary 22, 2014 - 1:07 pm

Nice starter kit!

I recently came across Quick Clot (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CLDIGPK/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=39MIX828ZRAEZ&coliid=I3USQITQ1BECIQ) and the Israeli battle bandage (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006PH1UWO/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=39MIX828ZRAEZ&coliid=I32HRK82YXVTVU). We will be adding both of these to our kits before we leave.

What do you plan to keep your kit in? We are using two different size Plano water tight boxes (http://www.amazon.com/Plano%C2%AE-Waterproof-Utility-Model-3640/dp/B0000AY7RJ/ref=sr_1_9?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1390395722&sr=1-9&keywords=plano+waterproof). Came across them at Home Depot but you get better selection in stores with fishing gear. We have a 12″ by 6″ by 2″ box in our ditch bag with a small emergency kit. We then have a larger box (16″ by 8″ by 4″) in our head as the boat kit. I need to start upping our drugs in our kit (antibiotics, sea sick meds, etc.).

I like your list. Some good things I need to add to our kit.

Fair winds,

Jesse

LAHOWINDJanuary 22, 2014 - 1:44 pm

Great recommendations! Thanks Jesse! That Plano box might be a really nice addition for a smaller first aid kit for our ditch bag, like you said. When are you leaving and where are you headed? -Kim

Jesse K on s/v SmittyJanuary 22, 2014 - 4:29 pm

We plan on leaving in October of 2015. We had planned to leave in June of 2015 but my Bride gets a decent bonus from her job but she will have to be there through September to get it.

So our rough plan to get south as soon as possible when we leave. At least down to the Carolinas but ideally Florida. Kick around FLA for a little bit and then cross over to the Bahamas. Then start heading back towards the Chesapeake Bay for the summer/hurricane season. Then the following November pass through the Bahamas down the Thorny Path to the Caribbean. Spend the next hurricane season down in South America. Come back through the Caribbean after that and see where we want to go from there.

LAHOWINDJanuary 22, 2014 - 7:39 pm

I would stick around for that bonus too! 🙂 The plan sounds awesome! -Kim

JennJanuary 28, 2014 - 1:51 am

New to your blog & super jealous that you’re already out there sailing & living the dream! 😉 We hope to become liveaboards in the next few months, but hubs will still be working for awhile. ={
I love finding informative{for newbies}new blogs, such as yours!!!
From things I’ve read on DIY first-aid kits, tool boxes & tackle boxes seem to be the best options to store everything….just an idea.
Thanks so much for idea of stocking up on Rx’s….in the past when I’ve had a Rx I didn’t need, I just wouldn’t fill it. I think now I will be getting them all filled so I can start stockpiling drugs! 😉

LAHOWINDJanuary 28, 2014 - 2:19 am

Hi Jenn! Thanks so much for following our little journey! We can’t wait to cut our dock lines in the next few weeks and make this super official. 😉 We are working on some other DIY posts — stay tuned! And good luck with your plans too! Hope to see you and your hubbie out sailing one day. -Kim

Jade McCarthyFebruary 20, 2014 - 12:03 pm

I have to agree first aid kits are extremely expensive. When I went on a sailing trip, obviously first aid is a priority.

I came across a site called Le-West that sold specialised marine medical supplies for great value.

If you’re looking to purchase some marine medical supplies I can easily recommend them!

http://www.le-west.co.uk/

[…] Google to see what other sailboat owners stocked in their kits. Within the first 10 pages I found: Lahowind, who also had an Endeavour 37; a blog by Kelly Watts on Women and Cruising; SailingChance has a […]