The Steamboating Forum

What kind of First Aid Kit do have on your boat?

If you have used it, was it effective?

I was a boy scout for many years and am familiar with First Aid. I even got cut once and sutured myself with a needle and thread! I'm not a doctor or nurse, but I understand the basics of "Real First Aid".

I find most commercial first aid kits are rubbish. Cheap and junk products inside for minor stuff (plastic bandaids that fall of in 5 minutes), and almost nothing to help with more serious stuff.

I think I'm going to make my own first aid kit for my launch with quality products for the minor-medium stuff, and an emphasis on minor-medium burn trauma. And put it all in a case that is water tight and floats.

Just want to hear what those who have steamed more on the water liked and didn't like from their first kit.....

-CB

Most used on my boat has been a non flamable freezing spray which has proved very good for taking the heat out of steam and hot surface burns. Also carried is a zinc based anti sceptic ointment for application to the occasional cut which is then covered with a very sticky plaster. Except for paracetamol, not needed to use anything else.

JohnG

At minimum a CPR mask, bandages, band-aids, sterile dressings, saline flush, SWAT "T" http://www.swattourniquet.com/

Although very expensive, I'm going to invest in an AED (automated external defibrillator) for my father's big boat. Seems like many of my friends are getting to that age, and are not getting any thinner...

I'm taking advise from all who posted and will post pictures and purpose of all components when it's all assembled. I've got most of it...

TahoeSteam indicated a "saline flush" and I don't understand the purpose of that.

TahoeSteam also indicated an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) - that's way way too pricey for small launch under 40 feet in length at this time. In a pinch without an AED a Tazer might be a smaller package that could do the same for much cheaper....

My kit will be overkill, but hopefully others will look at the kit I've built and make their own to suit their needs.

-CB

cyberbadger wrote:I'm taking advise from all who posted and will post pictures and purpose of all components when it's all assembled. I've got most of it...

TahoeSteam indicated a "saline flush" and I don't understand the purpose of that.

-CB

Flushing smuts from eyes, and irrigating cuts. Open, and replace, even if unfinished.

we forgot alcohol to numb the pain!

farmerden wrote:we forgot alcohol to numb the pain!

Unfortunately on a small launch any serious pain relievers are not practical.

The kit I'm building with have lidocaine+aloe vera (but that's just topical). It will have isopropyl alcohol in pads and in a bottle.

Even if you have very high proof ethyl alcohol - the drinking spirit stuff, it won't take effect quickly enough to numb the patient unless you inject it!!!

And if the patient has been drinking heavily, well that isn't helpful if they have an accident because the alcohol thins the blood and prevents clotting.

I would bite on a piece of wood or coal to have someone stitch me up. (I've even eaten a little bit of bituminous coal from Kentucky - very crunchy - low flavour - maybe I should try some welsh coal)

Drinks on board is fine, but if you are steaming there should be an operator on board who is sober. And if you are docked or anchored, let everyone know where the safety equipment is.

It's no use having med kits or emergency distress equipment if no one onboard knows were it is and how to use any of it.

-CB

I took advice from all who posted. Jack Innes on the high impact plastic military sealed boxes. johngriffiths on the freezing spray. TahoeSteam on the SWAT T, CPR mask, and Saline Flush. Mike Rometer's clarification on the Saline Flush.

My Kit is way over kill. I had to use 2 boxes. They are a little bulky, but not that much. The total weight is low.

I plan to have them at home, and take them out only when I go steam boating.

Although my kit is way over kill, I think it may give others ideas.

The only thing it doesn't have is an AED and a kitchen sink.

Yard stick in there for approximate dimensions.

Next post I will show the contents....

-CB

Basic:
LED Flashlight
3 different boxes of fabric Band Aids(Sticky Plasters)
Boxes of Large, Medium, and Small Gauze Pads
5 rolls of sterile Gauze
Waterproof medical tape
Paper Medical Tap
Triangular Bandages (Multipurpose as oil/steam rags)
Moleskin

Isopropyl Alcohol 91%
Saline Flush
Betadine/Povidone-iodine
Vaseline
Hydrocortisone cream
Isopropyl Alcohol Prep pads

CPR Mask

Burns:
5 Instant Cold Compress
Freeze Spray
Aloe Vera Gel with a little Lidocaine

Medicine:
Aspirin
Ibuprofen (Advil)
Tylenol (Paracetamol/Acetaminophen)
Antacid Tablet (Heartburn)

Eye drops
Triple Antibiotic Ointment (Neosporin)
Bug spray (DEET)

Cold Trauma:
Emergency space blanket

Instrument Kit:
Tweezers
Digital Thermometer
Sciccors
Medical Shears
Hemostats
Scalpel
Suture Needles
Nylon Suture Thread
Picks

Nuclear Radiation (Bomb or Nuclear Power Plant disaster):
Potassium iodide tablets
Basic Geiger Counter

Major Trauma:
Clotting Sponge
2 SWAT T's
2 Israeli Battle Dressings (4" and 6")
Superglue

Broken bones or Sprains:
3 36" SAM Splints
1 pack of 4 finger SAM Splints

-CB