What You Should Know About Boating Injuries

Whether we like it or not, injury is a risk that we face every day. Accidents happen, and when they happen on board a boat, whether far out on the open ocean, or in the middle of a lake, things are significantly complicated by our distance from assistance. Your preparedness and ability to identify and treat common boating injuries is critical out on the water.

First Aid Kit

Most any commercially available first aid kit will do the trick, or you can assemble your own. Use a waterproof container that floats. According to the Department of Homeland Security, a basic first aid kit should include the following items:

- Two pairs of Latex, or other sterile gloves (if you are allergic to Latex).
- Sterile dressings to stop bleeding.
- Cleansing agent/soap and antibiotic towelettes to disinfect.
- Antibiotic ointment to prevent infection.
- Burn ointment to prevent infection.
- Adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes.
- Eye wash solution to flush the eyes or as general decontaminant.
- Thermometer
- Prescription medications you take every day such as insulin, heart medicine and asthma inhalers. (rotate medicines to account for expiration dates.)
- Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and blood pressure monitoring equipment and supplies.
- Scissors
- Tweezers
- Petroleum jelly or other lubricant
- Aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever
- Anti-diarrhea medication
- Antacid (for upset stomach)
- Laxative

On board a boat, I recommend that you add the following items

- Meat tenderizer
- Vinegar
- A pair of needle-nosed pliers
- Motion-sickness medication
- Disposable vomit bags
- An emergency blanket
- Fresh Water (changed regularly)
- An eye pad
- A flashlight with extra batteries

Now lets look at some common boating injuries and ailments, and how to treat them.

Fish hook