Boat First Aid Kits

We are in the process of outfitting our new boat with all of the required safety equipment for a 24' Power boat. We are on an inland lake, bay and river in California. The store employee told us we needed to have this First Aid kit which was $80. Do we have to have this? We got a shopping list of the USCG required items, but not first aid kit is on that list. I know it's a good idea to have something, but we're thinking of only a basic kit from Costco to save money.

While a First Aid kit is not part of the "Mandatory" items on board, it should be! Injuries and cuts occur all the time. I've seen the kit in Costco and it should be fine for day boating. But if you ever plan on extended boating, I'd get the better kit. I carry First Aid kits on all three of my boats. The good thing with the bigger more elaborate kits is that it also includes a first aid manual to even do stitches while waiting for help if far from help. Even though most boaters will never need it, a first aid course that includes CPR and severe injuries course is a good thing to have too. You may never need it, but it could save a life on land or on the water anywhere.

2010-08-24 07:34:08 by

This is the bonus song from First Aid KIt's Debut album The Big Black and The Blue. One of my favorite bands of all time, hope you enjoy. Plus ...

Required Equipment

PFDs: Boats less than 16’ (Class A) must have on board one USCG approved wearable PFD for each person aboard. Vessels 16’ to less than 26’ (Class 1), 26’ to less than 40’ (Class 2) and 40’ to 65’ (Class 3) must also carry a type IV throw able device.

Visual Distress Signals: NY State requires all mechanically propelled vessels 18’ and greater in length to carry an orange distress flag at least one square foot in size and a minimum of 3 USCG approved red flares. Federal law requires mechanically propelled vessels 16’ and greater operated on the high seas, coastal waters or Great Lakes to carry at least three USCG approved day/night flares. To satisfy both federal and state requirements it is recommended that all mechanically propelled vessels 16’ and greater in length carry at least 3 USCG approved day/night flares in addition to the distress flag. There are many types of Visual Distress Equipment. Be familiar with the type you carry on your vessel and know how and when to use them.

Fire Extinguishers: All mechanically propelled vessels less than 26’ (except outboards of open construction) must carry one B-1 USCG approved fire extinguisher. Mechanically propelled vessels 26’ to less than 40’ must carry two B-I USCG approved fire extinguishers. Mechanically propelled vessels 40’ to less than 65’ must carry three B-1 fire extinguishers. On any vessel one B-II may substitute for two B-I extinguishers. An approved fixed fire system would reduce the requirements by one B-I. Remember, fire extinguishers are required whenever: a vessel has an inboard engine, there are enclosed or permanently mounted fuel tanks, when there are closed living spaces or closed storage areas in which combustible or flammable materials are stored.

*Ventilation: All vessels built after April 25, 1940, which use gasoline for electrical generation, mechanical power or propulsion are required to be equipped with a ventilation system.

Backfire Flame Control: Gasoline engines installed in a vessel after April 25, 1940, except outboard motors, must be equipped with an acceptable means of backfire flame control. The device must be suitably attached to the air intake, be USCG approved or meet SAE or UL standards.
Sound Producing Device: All mechanically propelled vessels 26 feet and greater in length must carry a whistle (horn) which must be a mechanical device capable of producing a blast of two or more seconds in duration. On vessels less than 26 feet in length a mouth whistle may be used. These sound signals are used to signal your intentions regarding navigation, to signal your position in periods of reduced visibility.

Bell: All vessels 39 feet and greater in length are required to carry a bell. The purpose of the bell is to facilitate compliance with the rules of the road when anchored or grounded during periods of reduced visibility.

Anchor: All mechanically propelled vessels must carry an anchor and line of sufficient weight and strength to provide the vessel with safe anchorage. The anchor and line should be strong enough to hold the vessel when subjected to the worst wind and sea conditions that might be encountered. The anchor line should be long enough to be 5 to 10 times the water depth.

Navigation Lights: Recreational vessels must display their required navigational lights at all times between sunset and sunrise and during periods of reduced visibility. Sailing vessels and manually propelled vessels less than 23 feet may carry, in lieu of fixed lights, a lantern with a white light which can be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent a collision.

Anchor Light: All vessels between 7 and 50 meters in length, when at anchor, must exhibit at night an all around white light. By day a black ball shall be exhibited. Vessels less than 7 meters need not display an anchor light unless anchored in or near a narrow channel or where vessels would normally navigate.

Discharge Prohibited Placards: Vessels 26 feet in length and over must display the following placards. Discharge of Oil Prohibited and Discharge of Garbage and Plastic Prohibited / Restricted.

Recommended Equipment:
1)VHF Radio
2)First Aid Kit
3)Tool Kit
4)Bilge Pump/ Bailer
5)Boat Hook
6)Oar/ Paddle
7)compass
8)spare parts

2007-03-18 18:11:00 by tony l

Price: $27.15 $21.17

The obvious stuff like gauze, tape, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment, cold compress, burn relief pack, sunscreen, and then you should always have flares, a whistle, and a fire extinguisher. It's certainly also a good idea to be able to communicate at any time with either a VHF radio or a cell phone that gets good service where you are.

2008-03-27 09:40:01 by Brooke S

Price: $19.99 $10.09

Includes bandages, antiseptic wipes, tape, gauze
Includes gloves, motion sickness tablets
Waterproof zip-lock nylon pouch

My dad just bought a boat for fishing. He plans to take it out on the lake soon. I want to give him a kit with first aid items or other misc items he might need. What should I include?

You should check with the state that you live in under the Department of Natural Resources. Even the coast guard web site maybe able to help. You need a fire extinguisher, life preservers, flashlight, and first aid kit. These would be some ideal items to have.
1. Blanket
2. Disposable Latex Gloves
3. Scissors
4. Tweezers
5. Non-Adhesive Pads
6. Gauze Roll & Gauze Pads
7. First Aid Cream
8. Eye Wash
9. Cold/Ice Packs
10. Adhesive Waterproof Tape
11. Adhesive Badages
12. Bandaids
13. CPR Mask
14. Alcohol Wipes

You can go to Wal-Mart and check in their pharmacy or sporting goods department for a first aid kit. I know they sell them. If you want to get fancy and order where I order some of my things, you can try: www.galls.com

2008-06-10 15:43:37 by Me

I've heard of quite a few people getting shipwrecked over the years. Should boats have an emergency kit similar to hikers, with those thermal blankets/tarplike things, water, food bars/other unperishable food, lighters/matches, etc. (maybe in a floating pouch)? Obviously there should be first aid kits and other items, but should boats carry a kit in case boaters are stranded, is it already suggested, and what else should go in it?

I carry a "Rapid Ditch Bag", it contains:
Flares, waterproof hand held VHF radio, charts, compass, flashlight, strobe light, water, mirror, knife, lighter, small first aid kit, duct tape, hose clamps, screw driver, pliers, leatherman knife, sunscreen, whistle.
I put them in what is called a "Rapid Ditch Bag" by "ACR", it is yellow and floats, it has a strap on it so you can swim with it on your shoulder, it stay's loose in the boat (NOT TIED DOWN), I also ALWAYS wear my PFD, and NEVER take it off, I can swim like a fish but, not if I'm hurt, so it stay's ON at all times ! Buy a good one, they have ones now that don't even look like PFD's, they look like fishing vest's. Remember, when you least expect it, all of a sudden everyone's in the water !

2007-05-24 13:54:12 by Morgan le Faye