Onboard Medical Kits
When you consider that we sailors select critical gear like ground tackle based on a set of criteria-the boats length, displacement, windage, and the areas in which we anchor- its only fitting that medical kits be chosen by way of similarly appropriate criteria as well. Essentially, they should contain supplies and medications commensurate with the captain and crew on board, the waters in which the vessel is sailing, and the length of time the vessel will be away from professional medical assistance.
These kits should provide sufficient equipment and medicine so that those who use them can stabilize the situation until professional help arrives. It is paramount that anyone on the water be fully competent in CPR and first aid, and have the knowledge to attend to a seriously injured patient until help arrives.
Its critical that sailors strive to increase their medical knowledge and skills when anticipating longer passages or extended periods away from medical assistance. Having kits brimming with supplies on board does little good when nobody on the boat knows how to use them.
For more information on how to select onboard medical kits, purchase and download Survival at Sea, Volume 3: Onboard First Aid today!
To read more about how to best prepare for an emergency on the water, purchase the entire Survival at Sea ebook series from Practical Sailor. Four volumes in all – Life Rafts, Ditch Bags, Onboard Medical Kits, and Survival Electronics. Buy all four for the price of three!
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