Boat first aid kit : How to choose your first aid kit
The first aid kit, a mandatory safety item on board your boat
According to Division 240, it is mandatory to carry a first aid kit on board your boat. The first aid kit will allow you to act in an emergency in order to provide first aid to a victim on board while waiting for the arrival of help.Whatever the duration or distance of your navigation, it is prudent and recommended to have a first aid kit on board your boat. More than recommended, it is evenmandatory beyond 6 MNi. e. for semi-offshore and offshore navigation.
The role of this first aid kit, or pharmacy, or first aid kit, is to treat a victim in case of injury or to keep him/her in good condition until help arrives. It can be presented in different forms, in a kit or a case.You can find all our on thededicated page of our website.
What must a first aid kit contain?
Whether you are sailing inshore, semi-offshore or offshore, your first aid kit must contain a minimum of safety equipment. We can find in the first aid box, survival blanket, adhesive bandages, hemostatic cushion...We distinguish thecontentsmandatoryof a first aid kit from thecontentsrecommendeddepending on the distance of your navigation from a shelter. The basic first aid kitmust containat least :
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1 antiseptic
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1 haemostatic cushion
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1 box of adhesive bandages
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5 sterile compresses
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2 rolls of stretchy tape (1 crepe tape and 1 self-adhesive tape)
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4 pairs of gloves
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1 survival blanket
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1 hydroalcoholic gel
These are the essential equipment in terms of boo-boos that will allow you to treat the lightest injuries. It is then up to the skipper to decide whether or not to carry more of each item and whether or not to add other products to the kit to ensure that there is no shortage should several accidents occur. We recommend size 3 of or the which is an exemplary kit for going to sea. It contains all the necessary equipment and adds very useful products such as scissors, pliers, triangular bandages in case of fracture or sprain, etc.
It would be wise to add one or more . The low price is well worth the dangers avoided.
Non-mandatory equipment recommended
Here is a non-exhaustive list of equipment that you might want to add to your first aid kit: cotton, mosquito repellent, rubbing alcohol (for disinfecting tools), tweezers, thermometer, etc.tweezers, thermometer, scissors, skin sutures, etc.Then, we will add for each type of navigationmedicineswhich can be useful and cover most types of pathologies:
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Gastrology:Aluminium Hydroxide/Magnesium Hydroxide(oral),Racecadotril(oral),Metopimazine(oral),Diosmectite(oral), Omepraizole (oral).
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Beyond 60 MN:Dimenhydrinate(oral).
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Cardiology: Epinephrine (parenteral). Over 60 MN: Trinitrin (buccal), Acetyl salicylic acid (oral)
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Antalgia:Paracetamol(oral),Ketoprofen(oral),Phloroglucinol(sublingual route).Beyond 60 MN:Paracetamol(oral),Tramadol(oral)
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NeurologyDiaziepam (parenteral),Hydroxyzine(oral).
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Infection:Levofloxacin(oral), in malaria areas :Piperacillin/Artenimol(oral).Beyond 60 MN:Amoxicillin+AcClavulanic(oral),Azithromycin(oral).
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Dermatology:Betamethasone(local route),Sulfadiazinesilver(local route),Screensun screen(local).Beyond 60 MN:Vaselinesterilized(local route)
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Ophthalmology:Hexamidine(ocular route),Rifamycin(ocular route).Beyond 60 MNAcBoric Ac-Borateofsodium(ocular route)
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Pediatrics:Paracetamol(oral),Ibuprofen(oral),SoluteofRehydration solutionOral(oral)
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AllergyAllergy: Over 60 MN:Prednisolone(oral)
Administration of medication and care
Possessing the above mentioned products is mandatory, but it is your responsibility to know how to use them. The first aid material is very basic, but it is necessary to understand it.
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Antiseptic is used to disinfect wounds and cuts. It is necessary to soak a sterile compress with it and then dab it on the site of the wound. If the wound is not obvious, spray it directly with antiseptic to clear the blood. Rinsing with clear water can also be done as long as the wound is cleaned with the antiseptic afterwards. Then cover the wound (size permitting) with an adhesive bandage, or a compress held together with a stretchy bandage.
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The hemostatic pad or C. H. U. T. is a pad with an integrated elastic band. It is used as a pressure point on a major external hemorrhage. Place it on the wound, pressing hard enough to prevent blood from escaping, but not so hard as to cut off circulation. You can adjust it afterwards according to your feeling. If a foreign body is present, such as glass bries, you should still compress it and only remove it if it is small. Otherwise it could aggravate the injury. If the hemostatic pad does not stop the flow of blood, even after tightening it, apply a tourniquet.
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When performing first aid procedures, it is highly recommended to wear gloves. On the one hand to protect yourself from blood (and potential infection) if you are treating another person, but on the other hand to avoid infecting the wound being treated. Wash your hands before and after.
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The survival blanket has two functions depending on its meaning. It has two sides: a golden side and a silver side. To protect from the cold, the gold side should be on the outside. To protect from the heat, the silver side must be towards the outside.
Maintenance tips
It is important to have the material mentioned above, but it is also important to have a pharmacy in good condition. You should check the contents of your kit before each trip and check the expiration dates of the equipment. If the dates have passed, it is imperative to change the products and accessories concerned.
To keep your kit in the best conditions, it is recommended to store it away from humidity and sunlight. Some of our models are supplied with a waterproof bag or pouch, very useful to keep your first aid equipment away from humidity. The waterproof bag or pouch can be sold with or separately from the first aid kit model selected.
Have a good navigation !
For any question or additional information, we are at your disposal at 04.78.41.79.31.
The Nautisports. com team
