As we prepare for our upcoming sailing adventure with two adults and two kids aboard, we’ve realized that one of the most important aspects of long-term cruising, especially when crossing oceans, is ensuring we’re ready to handle medical emergencies. After diving into research and speaking with experienced sailors, we’ve developed a thorough understanding of what we need to keep ourselves safe and healthy on the water.
Here’s what we’ve learned about building a medical kit that’s practical, versatile, and ready for anything life at sea might throw at us.
Why a Well-Equipped Medical Kit is Essential for Sailing
When you’re hundreds of miles from the nearest shore or medical facility, being able to rely on yourself is crucial. Through our research, we discovered that a comprehensive medical kit is not just about having band-aids and antiseptic—it’s about being prepared to manage serious situations if professional help isn’t immediately available. With two kids onboard, it became clear that we needed a versatile kit that covers everything from minor injuries to more significant health issues.
Key Considerations for Us:
- Distance from shore: We will spend significant time offshore, so we need to be self-sufficient when it comes to medical care.
- Family needs: Our kids have different medical needs, including child-friendly dosages and formulations of common medications.
- Training: We’ve committed to taking advanced first aid courses to ensure we know how to use the equipment and handle various situations that might arise.
1. Basic First-Aid Supplies
We quickly realized that the foundation of any medical kit lies in basic first-aid. These are the items we’ll reach for most frequently, and we tailored this part of our kit to be ready for scrapes, minor burns, and small injuries.
- Band-aids in various sizes (you can never have too many!)
- Sterile gauze pads and compresses for dressing wounds—particularly important for keeping injuries clean at sea
- Elastic bandages for sprains or securing dressings
- Medical tape for securing bandages and wound care
- Antiseptic wipes (we settled on iodine-based products for their broad antibacterial properties)
- Tweezers and scissors (we went for stainless steel versions that resist corrosion)
- Burn creams and blister pads to deal with the inevitable sunburns and foot issues
2. Emergency and Trauma Care
When it comes to potential trauma or serious injuries, we understood from our research that having equipment to stabilize an emergency until we could seek help is non-negotiable. While we hope we’ll never need it, we’ve equipped our kit for worst-case scenarios.
- Blood pressure monitor and pulse oximeter for keeping an eye on vital signs if anyone feels unwell
- CPR face mask in case of resuscitation needs (we also practiced CPR as part of our training)
- Portable defibrillator (AED) — a bit of an investment, but given the potential for heart-related issues on long passages, we felt it was a necessary addition
- Tourniquet and hemostatic agents for stopping serious bleeding (we chose QuikClot after seeing strong recommendations from other long-term sailors)
- Suture kits and wound closure strips — only to be used if absolutely necessary, but we’ve learned how to apply them during first-aid training
- Sterile eye wash solution for eye injuries, which can happen with saltwater and wind exposure
3. Pain Relief and Fever Management
Managing pain and fever is crucial for both adults and children. We put a lot of thought into the medications we’d need to handle common issues like headaches, toothaches, or fever, especially considering our children’s needs.
- Paracetamol for general pain relief (in both adult and children’s formulations)
- Ibuprofen for inflammation and pain (we’re bringing liquid forms for the kids and tablets for us)
- Topical anesthetics for minor cuts or burns (we chose lidocaine-based products for quick relief)
- Cold packs to help with injuries like sprains, particularly on deck where accidents can happen
4. Motion Sickness Remedies
Seasickness is inevitable, especially when crossing open oceans. We spent a lot of time researching the best solutions for both adults and children, and our kit reflects that.
- Over-the-counter anti-nausea medications like Dimenhydrinate (which we’ve used before and know works well for us)
- Motion sickness patches for longer crossings where the motion will be more sustained
- Ginger tablets — a more natural option, which we plan to use preventatively
5. Allergy and Infection Treatment
Allergies and infections are another area we wanted to be fully prepared for. Whether it’s a sting, bite, or food reaction, we needed medications that cover a wide range of issues.
- Antihistamines — we’ve stocked up on both tablets and liquid forms for allergic reactions, with children’s doses included
- EpiPen for any severe allergic reactions, especially given the unpredictable nature of sailing in different climates
- Hydrocortisone cream for rashes and minor skin irritations
- Antibiotic ointments to prevent infections in cuts and scrapes, which can get worse with prolonged exposure to seawater
6. Digestive Health and Dehydration
Digestive issues can happen anytime, especially with changing diets and water supplies. We’ve stocked up on supplies to help keep stomach problems in check and avoid dehydration.
- Loperamide for diarrhea — a must-have in any medical kit for offshore sailing
- Oral rehydration salts for both adults and kids, which we’ve read are crucial for preventing dehydration after vomiting or diarrhea
- Antacids for indigestion, especially during rough passages where diet and stress can take a toll
- Electrolyte solutions to help keep everyone hydrated, especially under the sun
7. Chronic Medications and Special Needs
We made sure to think about any long-term medications we’d need, especially since getting prescriptions filled mid-ocean isn’t exactly easy. We’re bringing extra amounts of all critical medications, just in case we’re delayed.
- Asthma inhalers — for anyone who has breathing difficulties, especially during intense weather conditions
- Insulin and syringes — if anyone in the family has diabetes, this is a critical addition
- Spare glasses and contact lenses — vision is a must on the water, so we’re packing backups for everyone
8. Kids’ Medications and Supplies
With children on board, we’ve put extra thought into ensuring we have medications specifically formulated for them. Adult doses don’t always work for little ones, so we’ve tailored this part of our kit to meet their needs.
- Children’s pain relievers (both ibuprofen and paracetamol in liquid forms)
- Pediatric oral rehydration solutions to quickly treat dehydration
- Motion sickness remedies for kids — tablets or wristbands that are safe for younger ages
- Syringes and droppers to measure out child-sized doses accurately
9. Sun and Heat Protection
Sailing under the sun means constant exposure to UV rays, and keeping everyone protected is just as important as the other health risks. We’ve put together a solid defense against sunburns and heat exhaustion.
- High SPF sunscreen (waterproof and kid-friendly)
- Aloe vera gel for soothing inevitable sunburns
- UV-blocking sunglasses and hats to protect from eye strain and sun damage
Final Thoughts: Preparation Gives Us Peace of Mind
Through our research, we’ve realized that being prepared with a well-equipped medical kit not only gives us peace of mind but also allows us to enjoy the adventure without constantly worrying about what we’d do in a medical emergency. With the right equipment, medications, and training, we’re ready to handle whatever challenges life on the open sea throws our way.
Our approach has been to cover the basics while preparing for more serious situations, making sure that both adults and children are taken care of. Sailing the world with our family is our dream, and being medically prepared is what will help us stay safe while living that dream.
Here’s to safe seas and new horizons!
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