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16-04-2019, 13:14
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#31
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֍֎֍֎֍֎֍֎֍֎
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 15,136
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Re: First aid kit recommendations?
There are any number of vendors (REI, Amazon, etc.) selling plenty of serious first aid kits. Some paramedic trauma kits, which will include more of the "not just bandaids" stuff, don't show up if you look for first aid. Marine, wilderness, plenty of good vendors but from what I found, you can buy the ingredients for 1/3-1/4 of the "kit" prices. Of course the kits are neatly prepacked and if you ignore that first hundred items all being odd little bandaids...sometimes a good way to go.
One thing I think most kits omit is QwikClot or Celox, both clotting agents that help form a scab over wounds and stop bleeding. (And Celox impregnated bandages.) Non-stick dressings (Tefla pads) are also often not there. And the silver-impregnated foam pads (from 3M and others) to dress a weeping wound (blister or abrasion, etc.) and keep it sterile and slightly moist, never seem to be in the kits.
A lot depends on how long you plan to be out, and what materials you are familiar with. Celox and clotting agents are old news to military docs, but in the civilian world it is still "What's this stuff, we'll have to wash it off to see the wound". Uh, no, that's a synthetic scab, leave it be.
And if there's anything like traditional Betadine or Povadine in there, throw it out. All the "red" sterilants have been exiled, as the dye hides any spreading infections.
I like to take a Sharpie and in big simple letters put the expiry date on anything that has one, usually stamped illegibly on a seam or corner. Makes it real easy to go into the kit every year and restock the old stuff.
I also bought zippered reinforced clear plastic pouches (online) very much like night-deposit bags in varying sizes. Very handy way to organize things, i.e. put all the aspirin and ointments in one, put all the bandaids in another, gauze pads and dressings in another...They're way more durable than zip-lock bags.
Seawater being protein soup, you may also want to speak to a doctor about putting together an RX antibiotic kit, possibly with painkillers. A sterile wound wash (not peroxide) is also uncommon but very handy.
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16-04-2019, 13:36
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#32
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Moderator
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: aboard, in Tasmania, Australia
Boat: Sayer 46' Solent rig sloop
Posts: 28,520
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Re: First aid kit recommendations?
Hi, there, hellosailor, and everyone,
You know, I wouldn't give up my povidone for anything. One doesn't often need it, and it is a bit harsh, but it keeps coral cuts from getting infected. The only tropical sore either one of us had, was a fly bite that had to wait till we got back to the boat to disinfect.
Clear Bactine, has benzalkonium chloride for the antiseptic, and also contains a tiny bit of lidocaine, might meet the requirement for a clear one.
We treated all our coral cuts, and a deep razor clam shell cut I got, all with the Povidone, and it gets a from me because there have been no infections that it might hide. Normally skin really does a pretty good job of protecting us
Ann
__________________
Who scorns the calm has forgotten the storm.
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16-04-2019, 21:35
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#33
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 1
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Re: First aid kit recommendations?
Here in the UK we have a ‘catagory C’ first aid kit. It is a sealed kit with everything you need in it.
If you have reason to radio the coast guard for medical assistance they patch you through to a doctor who will know exactly what the contents of the kit are.
It’s maybe a good idea to have this kit remain sealed in case you need the doctors assistance and perhaps duplicate it’s contents in an openable box.
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16-04-2019, 22:02
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#34
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Port Moresby,Papua New Guinea
Boat: FP Belize Maestro 43 and OPBs
Posts: 12,891
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Re: First aid kit recommendations?
Quote:
Originally Posted by TonyBarlow
Here in the UK we have a ‘catagory C’ first aid kit. It is a sealed kit with everything you need in it.
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Here's a typical Cat C contents list. Whether it contains "everything you need" depends very much on circumstances.
I make sure that we also have plenty of white vinegar and Betadine (povidone-iodine), but you proably won't need them in the UK.
Also a few other items such as thermometer, tweezers, oil of cloves and cotton buds ...
Cat C:
30 x Anti-Diarrhoea tablets
60 x Anti-Sea Sickness tablets
1 x Anti-Angina Preparation
50 x Analgesic tablets
50 x Ibuprofen
2 x Standard Medium Dressings
2 x Standard Large Dressings
1 x Extra Large Standard Dressing
10 x Paraffin Gauze Dressings
4 x Triangular Bandages
1 x Absorbent Cotton Gauze
1 x Adhesive Elastic Bandage
20 x Adhesive Plasters Assorted Sterile
6 x Adhesive Sutures 75mm
1 x Pocket Mask Mouth to Mouth Resuscitation
1 x Antiseptic Cream
5 x pairs of Disposable Polythene Gloves (Large)
1 x Burn Bag
1 x Scissors
6 x Safety Pins
6 x Antiseptic Wipes.
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17-04-2019, 11:05
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#35
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Qualicum Beach, Vancouver Island, BC
Boat: 1969 30 Mariner Sedan Cruiser
Posts: 760
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Re: First aid kit recommendations?
Here in the UK we have a ‘catagory C’ first aid kit. It is a sealed kit with everything you need in it.
If you have reason to radio the coast guard for medical assistance they patch you through to a doctor who will know exactly what the contents of the kit are.
It’s maybe a good idea to have this kit remain sealed in case you need the doctors assistance and perhaps duplicate it’s contents in an openable box.
This is so so smart, it'll never happen in North America, much to smart.
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19-04-2019, 17:29
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#36
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֍֎֍֎֍֎֍֎֍֎
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 15,136
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Re: First aid kit recommendations?
Ann-
Yes, Bactine used to be in every medicine cabinet but sometime in the 1960's...It just started to disappear, even from the store shelves. I was actually surprised to find it back on the market a couple of years ago. There is a J&J "Wound Wash" product that is similar, and others. Plenty of alternatives--even if the typical store clerk just says "Huh?" and has no idea what that's about, a pharmacist should.
Betadine & such are much loved and very effective, but if that red color masks the first 24 hours of an infection setting in and spreading, that can be critical today. Peroxide is still used by lots of folks, who don't get the concept that it turns living flesh into a perfect growth medium for all sorts of critters. I suppose "anything" beats "nothing" but I try to stick with the options that bring the fewest risks.
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19-04-2019, 20:32
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#37
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Moderator
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: aboard, in Tasmania, Australia
Boat: Sayer 46' Solent rig sloop
Posts: 28,520
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Re: First aid kit recommendations?
Quote:
Originally Posted by hellosailor
Ann-
Yes, Bactine used to be in every medicine cabinet but sometime in the 1960's...It just started to disappear, even from the store shelves. I was actually surprised to find it back on the market a couple of years ago. There is a J&J "Wound Wash" product that is similar, and others. Plenty of alternatives--even if the typical store clerk just says "Huh?" and has no idea what that's about, a pharmacist should.
Betadine & such are much loved and very effective, but if that red color masks the first 24 hours of an infection setting in and spreading, that can be critical today. Peroxide is still used by lots of folks, who don't get the concept that it turns living flesh into a perfect growth medium for all sorts of critters. I suppose "anything" beats "nothing" but I try to stick with the options that bring the fewest risks.
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Hi, hellosailor,
The povidone color is like what old tincture of iodine used to be, kind of brownish, not at all red, maybe a bit yellowish brown on the skin. The red stuff is tincture of merthiolate (whatever that is), and you're right, it is useless, just paints the area the color of maraschino cherries...I loved it when I was a kid, 'cause it didn't sting. Too bad it did nothing other than color it.
There are lots of new products for different kinds of wounds too. Lots of developments. It's good.
Ann
__________________
Who scorns the calm has forgotten the storm.
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20-04-2019, 00:03
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#38
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Sydney Australia
Boat: Fisher pilothouse sloop 32'
Posts: 3,419
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Re: First aid kit recommendations?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr. D
First, if there is a thread describing this, please point me to it; I was unable to locate one.
I'm preparing our boat for some longer sailing (days, not months) and it occured to me the little kit of bandaids may not be enough. Looking around on the internet there is a wide variety of kits. It seems, though, one could assemble a satisfactory kit.
However, what to put in it? Recommendations?
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Hey, am I the only one here that finds it somewhat strange that someone who goes by the name of Dr D is seeking information regarding a first aid kit ??:
__________________
Rob aka Uncle Bob Sydney Australia.
Life is 10% the cards you are dealt, 90% how you play em
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20-04-2019, 02:09
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#39
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Port Moresby,Papua New Guinea
Boat: FP Belize Maestro 43 and OPBs
Posts: 12,891
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Re: First aid kit recommendations?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Uncle Bob
Hey, am I the only one here that finds it somewhat strange that someone who goes by the name of Dr D is seeking information regarding a first aid kit ??:
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Not at all. Jut look at the garbage that gets posted by the many tossers who go by the name of "Capt ..."
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20-04-2019, 03:23
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#40
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Sydney Australia
Boat: Fisher pilothouse sloop 32'
Posts: 3,419
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Re: First aid kit recommendations?
__________________
Rob aka Uncle Bob Sydney Australia.
Life is 10% the cards you are dealt, 90% how you play em
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21-04-2019, 15:20
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#41
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֍֎֍֎֍֎֍֎֍֎
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 15,136
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Re: First aid kit recommendations?
Ann-
Merthiolate is one of the evil mercury-based products that sanitize VERY effectively. As Sherwin-Williams say, "It ain't just paint".
From the wiki:
Thiomersal (), or thimerosal (USAN, JAN), is an organomercury compound. This compound is a well-established antiseptic and antifungal agent.. The pharmaceutical corporation Eli Lilly and Company gave thiomersal the trade name Merthiolate.
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21-04-2019, 17:33
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#42
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Moderator
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: aboard, in Tasmania, Australia
Boat: Sayer 46' Solent rig sloop
Posts: 28,520
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Re: First aid kit recommendations?
Quote:
Originally Posted by hellosailor
Ann-
Merthiolate is one of the evil mercury-based products that sanitize VERY effectively. As Sherwin-Williams say, "It ain't just paint".
From the wiki:
Thiomersal (), or thimerosal (USAN, JAN), is an organomercury compound. This compound is a well-established antiseptic and antifungal agent.. The pharmaceutical corporation Eli Lilly and Company gave thiomersal the trade name Merthiolate.
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Thank you for that. I guess it must have done something after all. It goes back to when I was a kid, and my mother told me it didn't work. No idea where she got the idea. Guess she (and I) were both wrong!
Ann
__________________
Who scorns the calm has forgotten the storm.
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21-04-2019, 18:18
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#43
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Cruising
Boat: Privilege 39 Catamaran, Exit Only
Posts: 2,723
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Re: First aid kit recommendations?
This is a video of our medical kit on board Exit Only.
It is rather extensive, but since I am a doctor and Sarah is a physicians assistant, the kit works well for us.
There are six of us on board, and hopefully we will never have to use anything in the kit.
We know how to use everything in the kit, and so this is what we went with.
The youtube link has a complete description of the kit.
https://youtu.be/yAlR0O9ZikY
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22-04-2019, 07:08
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#44
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 13
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Re: First aid kit recommendations?
As a physician sailor - something to think about - I can diagnose your heart attack or appendicitis when I come aboard to help you but can’t DO anything without the right tools.
So if you’re going to secluded places get stuff a doctor might use or tell you to use - an Iv and fluids, atbx , AED , even a scalpel and suture kit, and needles and syringes with lidocaine and epinephrine. Your doctor could write you a script for this stuff. Yes it will expire and it’s a bit expensive. But the alternative in a pinch -??
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22-04-2019, 08:14
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#45
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 117
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Re: First aid kit recommendations?
Quote:
Originally Posted by rmlarson1098
You're thinking right - half the stuff in fancy ($$$) dedicated kits you'll never use.
The best thing about those kits is the cool box that comes with it. We keep our stuff in a Tupperware box, clearly marked as 'First Aid'. Two cargo straps keep the lid on, and delicate items go in zip locks inside.
Generally, medications and first aid stuff should be kept apart.
In the first aid box: LOTS of Band-Aids, make them quality, fabric, waterproof Band-Aids.
Bandages and dressing. We have some sterile pads, but prefer sanitary napkins (Kotex) with gauze (make it 'Cling' )and surgical tape.
An Ace bandage.
We carry a flexible finger splint for finger boo-boo's, plus a larger flex. splint for a broken limb.
Antiseptic wipes. A tube of Neosporin maybe.
Eye wash with a cup, or squirt bottle. Not just drops.
An eye patch - ya' scurvy dogs!
Butterfly tapes plus a couple of tubes of Super/Crazy Glue for closing lacerations. If you ever watched me sew you'd know why there is no suture kit onboard.
We have a large elastic knee brace, that could work as a neck brace.
A pair of stout, sharp scissors. EMT scissors if you can.
Latex/nitrile gloves if you're delicate. We have them but mostly use them for tidying up the Airhead.
We carry an AED (defibrillator) because we already had one but that's a little extreme, and of course worthless if you single-hand. It's always good to know CPR, and these days you can pass on the respirations (the mouth to mouth kissy part) and not feel guilty. I ALWAYS carry a little 2 pack of aspirin in my pocket for symptoms of heart attack. Always.
Without getting into the medication thing too much, we carry no narcotics onboard. Just too much trouble clearing in. Would have to rely on rum, and a big dose (800mg) of ibuprofen. We carry prescription antibiotics, both Z-packs and a longer course of a good, broad spectrum medication. Plus seasickness meds. Nothing more on our boat that requires a prescription.
Plus plenty of over-the-counter stuff that we won't get into. Keep in mind that some of the non-scrip stuff can be a problem depending on where you are - our
naproxen (Aleve) was confiscated clearing into Canada some years back...
A First Aid book is a good idea; I'd keep it simple. We have a friend whose (5 pound) Medical Emergency book includes instructions for burial at sea!
As a former firefighter and EMT, I've a pretty good idea what we would need at sea. If you'll be doing ocean crossings it would of course be different. Our kit would deal almost exclusively with injuries.
Illness is an entirely different matter.
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Only if you are going to get the profeshionals in with O2 in the next 15mins and never if they drowned so had no air in there lungs to start of with. Rescue breaths are still taught if you do a full first aid course. i think the chest compreshions only are to get untrained people to make an effort and as in most land based situations help will arive quite quickly in many cases are not essential but at sea?
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