Small boat first aid box, safety box and ditch bag

[thataway]

I thought I would share my updating of the first aid kit, safety box and ditch bag which I use on my 18 footer. It is perhaps a bit less than I would use on a larger boat, which would have a much more comprehisive set of items, but intended for day trips--such as in the 16, 19 or 22 angler.

The first aid box is a water tight (not really), orange plastic box about 14" long, 9" high and 8" wide. The basic unit has a Walmart or drug store $10 Johnson and Johnson First aid kit, which I have added extra waterproof bandages, more antiseptic wipes, polysporin ointment, betaddine wipes, and a 3" Ace bandange. I have a personal set of pills, which are enough to sustain my personal medication for 24 hours, which is rotated every month, a half a dozen pain pills, Asprin Tylenol, Benedryl and Bonamine chewable motionsickness pills. Included in this are also some anti inflamitories, similar to Motran, I also have a tube of 1% hydro cortisone, and alcohol wipes, and a small container of mono sodium glutinate. The next element of this box is a sealed plastic bag with 3 "Flour sack Dishtowels"--which make great dressings or triangular bandages. (WalMart). Finally a box of extra bandages etc: One Kerlex gauze: 4.5" x 144", 4" x 4" gauze pads & Telfa pads, 2" x 2" gauze pads, Eye pads,, a "Sam" splint (rolled up splint for forearms, ankles etc), a couple of tongue blades, and a couple of modules of anti sting, antiseptic, and wipe packs, plus an assorted large bandage packs.

The next box is the "Safety box" That is also a bright orange box- 14" x 7.5" x 10" -susposedly water proof, but each item is in plastic baggies when practical:
6 hand held day night flares, flare gun with 6 red and 3 white flares, flashlight/strobe combo, There is an air horn, plus extra cartrege, and a whistle. Signal mirror, small compass, extra small flashlight (survival tool, which has multiple items, including magnifing glass, flint etc). Extra squeeze bulb primer for the outboard, extra safety lanyard for the outboard, Extra fuel filter for outboard (large pre engine), hose clamps for both fuel hose, and bilge pump hose, extra fuses for all circuits, pencil, paper, (heavy duty post its) Sharpie (black). There are two small sharpening stones, a roll of vinly tape, A 9' x 12' 3 mill clear plastic "drop cloth. Half a dozen zip ties, with a couple of feet of monel sizing wire around the ties, about 20 feet of fishing line around the ties, a couple of fishing lures, and about 10 feet of Gorilla duct tape around the ties. About 20 feet of 1/8" nylon line. There is a "tool kit" which came with the 140 Suzuki, but supplimented, with a good multi bit screw driver (includding Robertson bits and small bits), a 6" crescent wrench, a full set of metric allen wrenches, a small Vise Grip blunt nose, a set of diagnal cutters (good quality), and a cigarette lighter.

On top of these items is a Gerber Multitool (includes knife blade, saw blade, scissors, muliple screw drivers, needle nose pliers, cutter, can opener, etc). There is also a plastic bag with 6 paper towels (TP, wiping, nose blowing etc)

Finally, there is a long needle nose fishing plier and fishing nail cutter, with several extra blades on it, both on orange lanyards.

The "Ditch Bag" goes with me on every boat I go on, including the dinghy. This is a clear plastic, with scrim, Sea Line bag waterproof bag, 6" diameter, and 12" high.
There is a Personal Locator Beacon (Eprib), A water proof, floating hand held VHF radio, plus an extra battery carrier which uses 2 AA batter4ies. An ACR strob flash light combo (AA batteries), A Garmin Color ado 400C GPS (AA batteries) and a dozen fresh batteries extra in a sealed pouch.
There is a quality puck type hand bearing compass, Signal mirror, Two mylar space blankets, 36" x 48" bright orange "Distress flag, signal", signal mirror, 3 self contained signal aerial flares, Cigarette lighter, pencil, paper, another "Flour sac dish cloth/triangular bandage"..and a mini first aid kit: packets of polysporin, antiseptic wipes, 2" x 2" gause and teflon pads, Steri strips, (skin closure), Q tips, and mulitiple bandaids.
Tools include a larger Gerber "diesel" multi tool, a small vise grip (long nose), swiss army knife, with all of the gadgets, and 6" crescent wrench.
Depending on where I am, there is often a .22 mag NA arms 5 shot revolver, with extra cartrages.

I also carry a small back pack, which is also my "bug out bag", which has one complete change of clothes: underware, sox, sweat pants and sweat shirt, medium quality foul weather, water proof pants and jacket with hood, wide brim Gortec hat, with fleece liner, a couple of microfleece absorbant towels, and one of the dishcloths!... The outside pocket carries a tactical folding knife, tactical flash light, Swiss army knife, cigarette lighter, 76 Cs Garmin GPS, extra batteries, small sewing kit, space blanket, and watch. Again depending on where I am, there is a side arm, either a 9 mm or .357 with extra ammo (concealed weapons carry isn't good in Washington State)

Seems like a lot of stuff, but I can lock it in the open boat under the bow platform, I can carry all of it at once, and I have used all parts, except the flares at some time or another. One night I got stuck above a reversing salt water rapids, helping another couple get their boat out and let the time slip up on me. I radioed my wife, saying I was staying up in the "lake" until the tide came in, pulled out my plastic, space blankets, put on the sweats and foul weather gear and went to sleep for a few hours on the bottom of the boat.

Why the redundancy? The Ditch bag is right my by side at all times. I has most of the elements of survival, and can be taken with me no matter what, even if I have to leave the boat in an instant. The back pack stows in a waterproof bag under my leaning post on the CC, and the two boxes go under the foredeck, so are a bit further away.

Normally I have a high quality tactical folding, one hand opening knife in my pocket. We have whistles and strobes on the life vests/inflatables, Thee is an extra EPIRB (personal locator beacon type) and additional floating portable VHF radios, which go with the life jackets/ vests if we are in critical situations.

[localboy]

Good info. Meredith and I were just talking about this very issue. Since she's earned her RN she's much more cognizant of what could be needed in an emergency out on the boat. We have only a very basic kit and it wouldn't suffice IMO for more than minor medical issues, which she agreed with. I've been carrying my work kit in the short term, but this winter we need to invest in our own supplies.

[toyman]

Sounds like you've 3 well thought out, very complete kits.

[ffheap]

Bob,

Thank you for the info.

What I have done is gone along with what the USCGAux recommends and I carry most of it on my inflatable. The coast guard supplies an EPIRB to every coxswain. That is in a pocket on my inflatable. Also a knife, mirror and flare,

I then carry in my boat extra flares as by law plus extras from years gone by. I have a small first aid kit and now carry an extra radio.

If I go in the water, the EPIRB will help the Coast Guard find me. I also have a strobe light.

I feel that what I carry will take care of most situations.

Fred

[1TUBERIDER]

Good carry advice. Thanks Bob

I will print this and go over my list with this update. I am especially inadequate on the first aid kit, although I do have a packaged kit on board.

I am usually a day boater, so I don't see the need for the firearms. But if I were doing a trip I would be packin something pretty powerful. I guess we have to be careful here because in some areas carrying can be a problem. I don't think you need a ccw for a boat but my firearm would not be very concealed if on board. Shotguns don't fit in the pocket. I am in the process of obtaining a ccw so I will be a legal beagle at least in Cali. To bad states don't recognize other states ccw. Sure would be helpful to travelers. I grew up in a household where carrying on travel was normal. Even had rifles near the doors for those pesky critters that destroy crops. Time has changed things.

[thataway]

CCW are very difficult to get in Calif. Despite the fact I was caring for the Long Beach chief of police, several deputy sheriffs of LA co, an ex LAPD chief, and worked closely with several police departments I could not get a CCW in the 70's and 80's. I did carry openly, and had the home phone number of high officials in the juristictions, since I made house calls, I was just told to have an officer call them at home if necessary.

Florida has reciprocity with 34 to 35 states. WA and NV are a couple which no longer have reciprocity. Generally unless you have a CCW, carrying a weapon in a boat should be treated as in a car--ie in Calif. the piece locked in one area and the clip or cartrages in another. We do carry in our RV--but that is a different story, and we have locked compartments for the weapons.

The kits I gave (except for the ditch bag) were intended for day boats, and near shore. I do have lists for offshore first aid kits, but these include injectable drugs, and an extensive list of materials, along with first aid manuals. Also we should all know CPR, be up to date in our certification and have basic first aid knowledge, such as a Red Cross or YMCA course.