What would you recommend for medical reference and/or equipment for passages? The ole $39.95 "Bosun's mate" store bought medical kit doesn't seem like it would cover it ...
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Dave Abt
med kits
Hi Bryan, I tend to agree with you. The best approach we have found is to meet with your family doctor, explain your plans and have him/her help you build one. Several issues should be considered when builiding the kit; will you know what to use in the kit for any particular situation, and 2) many effective drugs have realitively short shelf lives. One of the best things to do is to take an advanced first aide or pre EMT course. I hope this helps..... dave
Hi Bryan, I tend to agree with you. The best approach we have found is to meet with your family doctor, explain your plans and have him/her help you build one. Several issues should be considered when builiding the kit; will you know what to use in the kit for any particular situation, and 2) many effective drugs have realitively short shelf lives. One of the best things to do is to take an advanced first aide or pre EMT course. I hope this helps..... dave
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Don Carson
More Specifics
Hi Dave - I agree that we should consult with our doctor about what to pack into a cruising first aid kit, but I'm really curious - what do you use? Do you have a book you like? Anything you have learned over time that is essestial which my family doctor who is not familiar with cruising might not think about? Any thoughts from your personal experience would be great. Thanks Don
Hi Dave - I agree that we should consult with our doctor about what to pack into a cruising first aid kit, but I'm really curious - what do you use? Do you have a book you like? Anything you have learned over time that is essestial which my family doctor who is not familiar with cruising might not think about? Any thoughts from your personal experience would be great. Thanks Don
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dave abt
more med ref
Hi Don, This is really a loaded question. The two books we tend to carry are Eastman's "Advanced First Aide Afloat" ISBN 087-0335243 and an edited version of the Physician's Desk Reference (PDR). As far as what we take, it depends where we are going; for instance we always carry antibiotics, morphine, and codeine. Additionally, when in southern waters we take anti vemon for snakes and check with local help departments on poisious fish. We have found that most doctors are up to the challange of specing a gear bag, once they know how for out & for how long you will be gone. dave
Hi Don, This is really a loaded question. The two books we tend to carry are Eastman's "Advanced First Aide Afloat" ISBN 087-0335243 and an edited version of the Physician's Desk Reference (PDR). As far as what we take, it depends where we are going; for instance we always carry antibiotics, morphine, and codeine. Additionally, when in southern waters we take anti vemon for snakes and check with local help departments on poisious fish. We have found that most doctors are up to the challange of specing a gear bag, once they know how for out & for how long you will be gone. dave
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Don Carson
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Viviana
Very important: prevent infections
I am a family doctor that sails in the Mississippi river, and I grew up sailing with a surgeon dad in Argentina. I think one of the most important issues is to prevent infections. When you sail you always get little cuts and abrasions. Make sure you carry antibiotic ointment, H202, alcohol, iodine, sterile gauze, sterile strips, Xylocaine. If you are going to be away for a long period of time you may also want to learn some suturing techniques to put skin together. But make sure to clean the wound first and try to use the most sterile technique possible. I remember my dad always carried a suturing kit with him and other sailors in the area knew and if anyone got injured they would call our boat for help. Another surgeon I know carries surgical staplers with him to his child's boy scouts camps. An infected wound can turn into gangrene and sepsis. A wound needs to be covered, don't want any flies lying their eggs in it. It is not fun to dig the larvae out! A big common one is excessive sun exposure, be aware of your skin's limitations and use sun block, hats, and drink , drink , drink, plenty of fluids, or gatorade like products. Another one is travelers diarrhea. Ask your doctor for prescriptions for all people going (a quinolone for adults, sulfa or Zithromax for the kids), plus imodium and peptobismol. Bring benadryl or a non sedating antihistaminic for both runny noses and urticaria. Bring whatever helps you the most for sea sickness (my husband and I discover the relief band this last february in the VBI and needed the scopolamine patches behind the ear). Pain relievers: A must. I would stay away from the morphine alternative. I am afraid of its danger as a respiratory supressant and other side effects... acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen are good OTC options. Any disease you may have make sure you are prepared for (inhalers for asthma, blood presure meds, etc) Make sure that you turn back, call for help or go to the closest port if someone just doesn' t look right. Follow your best judgment and instinct. We only have one life and it is worth keeping it. Take care, Viviana Martinez-Bianchi, MD
I am a family doctor that sails in the Mississippi river, and I grew up sailing with a surgeon dad in Argentina. I think one of the most important issues is to prevent infections. When you sail you always get little cuts and abrasions. Make sure you carry antibiotic ointment, H202, alcohol, iodine, sterile gauze, sterile strips, Xylocaine. If you are going to be away for a long period of time you may also want to learn some suturing techniques to put skin together. But make sure to clean the wound first and try to use the most sterile technique possible. I remember my dad always carried a suturing kit with him and other sailors in the area knew and if anyone got injured they would call our boat for help. Another surgeon I know carries surgical staplers with him to his child's boy scouts camps. An infected wound can turn into gangrene and sepsis. A wound needs to be covered, don't want any flies lying their eggs in it. It is not fun to dig the larvae out! A big common one is excessive sun exposure, be aware of your skin's limitations and use sun block, hats, and drink , drink , drink, plenty of fluids, or gatorade like products. Another one is travelers diarrhea. Ask your doctor for prescriptions for all people going (a quinolone for adults, sulfa or Zithromax for the kids), plus imodium and peptobismol. Bring benadryl or a non sedating antihistaminic for both runny noses and urticaria. Bring whatever helps you the most for sea sickness (my husband and I discover the relief band this last february in the VBI and needed the scopolamine patches behind the ear). Pain relievers: A must. I would stay away from the morphine alternative. I am afraid of its danger as a respiratory supressant and other side effects... acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen are good OTC options. Any disease you may have make sure you are prepared for (inhalers for asthma, blood presure meds, etc) Make sure that you turn back, call for help or go to the closest port if someone just doesn' t look right. Follow your best judgment and instinct. We only have one life and it is worth keeping it. Take care, Viviana Martinez-Bianchi, MD
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Carlos
One more item Doc
Great list Viviana (I am also a Doc and originally from Buenos Aires). I am chartering in the BVI in two weeks and I am carrying most of what you recommend + epinephrine self inyection (EPIPEN) for severe allergic reactions/anaphylactic shock.
Great list Viviana (I am also a Doc and originally from Buenos Aires). I am chartering in the BVI in two weeks and I am carrying most of what you recommend + epinephrine self inyection (EPIPEN) for severe allergic reactions/anaphylactic shock.
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Viviana
More for the med kit... woops
Thanks Carlos! I forgot the epinephrin pen! Viviana From Parana(Entre Rios)in the US since 1990.
Thanks Carlos! I forgot the epinephrin pen! Viviana From Parana(Entre Rios)in the US since 1990.
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Bryan C.
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