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DaveSherman · 08-03-2010, 11:32

My family and I circumnavigated returning in 2000. I have just started making plans to go again in the fall. During our circumnavigation, several cruisers had medical problems during their voyage - some of them in out of the way places. (For instance, one sailor almost died from cigatera sp? in a remote island atoll.)

What medicines should be in the ship's medical bag? There are obvious things - Pepto-Bismal, asperin, pain killers, something for worms (the laulau was wonderful on the remote South Sea island, the worms that our whole family got were not!), a medical advice book. What else?

Does anyone have a detailed list? Recommendation for a medical book to take along?

Dave Sherman
formerly on Rubaiyat, a Stevens 47

rustypirate · 08-03-2010, 12:19

Broad spectrum antibiodics

Lots of vitamin supplements, especially vitamin C.

Some form of dental emergency kit to cap broken teeth.

Inflatable splints

Quickclot or something similar.

S/V_Surya · 08-03-2010, 12:26

I have researched this and have found this list from someplace. Have attached as JPG. I bought a cheap first aid kit for temp but if I was traveling this kit would be first prioity.

rustypirate · 08-03-2010, 12:57

I heartily agree with the skin stapler, much easier to use than sutures and easily obtainable through ebay.

DaveSherman · 08-03-2010, 13:05

Surya,

Your medical lists looks great! However, I cannot copy it. Could you email it to me at aspecialedlawyer@sbcglobal.net ?

Dave Sherman

Kefaa · 08-03-2010, 13:16

medical-stores-for-cruising where CP was also mentioned.

Also, consider taking an advanced first aid course medical-first-aid-training-for-the-cruiser-22842.html I really cannot speak highly enough of the excellent NOLS courses. Wilderness First Aid And yes, the sea qualifies as wilderness.

Some of what you need will be by prescription and that requires someone who knows what to give you and can ensure you know what you are doing. We Americans are quick to over medicate and that can be worse than the problem. So talk with your doctor. If they are not travelers, ask them to recommend someone they know who travels, especially to your destinations. and a boater even better. We lucked upon my son's doctor who does benefit work and is a coastal sailor.

Finally - and something that will always be at odds - do not store everything in one easy to lose overboard kit. However, if you need to exit the boat prematurely, it needs to be where you can take it with you, since you are even more likely to need it then. I am currently working on three kits, which mimic our hiking kits.
Daily use: Stuff I use regularly (aspirin, ibuprofin, daily meds, vitamins)
Quick pack: Daily use + bandages, minor splints, special meds (i.e. antibiotics) etc.
Crash pack: Quick pack+ major splints, collar, CPR pack, etc.

When I reach for the Crash pack someone is in serious trouble and that should be a sign that help should be summoned as well.

idpnd · 08-03-2010, 13:20

You want Where There is No Doctor - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

It's free, it's got extensive instructions for all sorts of cases, and it's got medical supply suggestions at the back. Enjoy!

You can download the free pdf here

airtime · 08-03-2010, 13:31

Where There Is No Dentist

the entire book is now available for download:

Hesperian Foundation

hellosailor · 08-03-2010, 19:40

Silvadene or a similar compound specifically for burns. You will also find that "first aid kit" often means "101 bandaids" but if you search on "trauma kit" you'll get better responses for premade kits that address bigger issues.

Breaking your kit up along those two lines is a good idea, so that the bandaids aqnd aspirin can be reached and used without anyone handling the more serious items, or exposing them to additional heat, air, and water when the day kit is used. It can also help to place an inventory on the outside (or a big tag) with DATES to remind you of when things will need replacement, and a good magnifying glass, which can do double duty if someone needs reading glasses and they're not around.

daddle · 08-03-2010, 21:28

Medical marijuana? Or is that a separate kit?

Livia · 09-03-2010, 13:40

We just went through the same process and posted the results here including a few sources we used.

Just below the photo we have a link to the full contents of the kit including what prescription drugs our doctor recommended we carry.

hellosailor · 09-03-2010, 14:44

Livia, I would strongly discourage carrying betadine or red iodine in the kit. The problem is that any red stain makes it impossible to see the start of a reddening infection on the skin that has been stained, so these chemicals make it impossible for you to catch the problem early.

There are other disinfectants, and there is 'white iodine' tincture, which will do the same thing, while allowing the natural skin color to be observed. This has been debated in hospitals for 5-10 years now, but those betadine reps just keep on selling the red stuff.