If you are uncertain how you will react in emergency situations, you can enroll in a class such as cardio-pulmonary resuscitation. Such classes can do much to help build the confidence needed to act in a crisis. They can also provide vital know-how; knowledge that you can use at a time when there is no one else to whom you can turn.

In the event of an emergency, you can be of great help by utilizing some readily available items and common sense. In extreme circumstances you can mean the difference between life and death. At such times, you can't afford to panic.

Here is what we believe to be a common sense approach to first aid aboard; an approach which can be used anywhere and anytime. This article is not intended to be a comprehensive medical guide. It is one physician's idea of practical, effective first aid aboard, using a suitable first aid kit.

How to Make Your Own First Aid Kit In A Plastic Box:

A good first aid kit can be organized in a plastic food storage container. Our choice is the Tupperware model G-30 celery crisper. It has a tray in the bottom and is a good shape for storage. It is big enough to hold all the items needed and will float, because it is airtight. Once assembled, the kit is suitable for car, boat, vacation cabin, camper, travel trailer, office or home. A copy of the list of items and descriptions of usage should be clipped out, enclosed in a Ziploc bag, and placed in the kit for ready reference.

MEDICINES:

Aspirin: Your needs determine the quantity.

Betadine Solution: Use for disinfection of wounds. This solution comes in one-half, eight, 16, and 32 ounce plastic bottles. It is suggested that the one-half ounce size be purchased for the kit and also an eight or 16 ounce shore-side supply bottle be purchased to replenish the kit.

Bacitracin Ointment: Use for application when the skin is broken, such as cuts, tears, punctures, or popping zits. May be used with Band-aids.

Bonine (meclizine HCL): Use for treatment and prevention of motion sickness (mal-de-mer). Supplied in convenient packets of eight chewable tablets. The supplier is Pfipharmecs.

Scarlet Red (Chesebrough-Ponds) Ointment Dressing: Use on raw surfaces, such as burns or abrasions. This is a good occlusive dressing which can be covered by the four by four inch gauze and wrapped snugly by the Kling or Kelex roller gauze. This dressing is supplied in packages of 12 dressings, each in individual peelable foil packets. These cover five by nine inches.

Kaopectate (Upjohn): Use to control diarrhea. May be purchased in eight ounce bottles. Use in heavy enough dose to be effective. The tendency for most people is under-treatment. Use a full tablespoon every 15 minutes or after every bowel movement until control is achieved; then every two hours. Total fasting for eight hours is important because it is helpful to the body in its effort to rest the bowel. See also Aspirin #3.

Dimetapp (Robins)(prescription item): Use these antihistamine tablets for relief of cold symptoms of runny nose, nasal congestion, sinus congestion. They are long acting. This preparation aids your body in reducing the complications of a cold.

Aspirin #3 (prescription item): This is a combined pain reliever using aspirin and codeine. If moderately severe pain is present, such as with a sprained or fractured wrist or ankle, burns, smashed tissue, heavy cough, or uncontrolled crampy diarrhea, this is the preparation to use. Keep in mind that pain killers do not cure anything.

Penicillin VK250 (prescription item): Use this antibiotic only if you are convinced there is an infection in your body. Once you have decided to commence taking this preparation, you should complete the entire course of 30 tablets taking one tablet three times daily for ten days. This is important to prevent recurrence by a resistant bacteria. If allergic to penicillin, see tetracycline.

Tetracycline 250 (prescription item): Use this antibiotic only if you are convinced there is an infection in your body or a condition considered to be highly susceptible to infection such as severely torn or mangled tissue, bronchitis, pneumonia, or sore throat. If allergy to Penicillin is suspected, this preparation should be used when the decision to use antibiotics is made. If started, the entire course should be completed taking one capsule four times-a-day for a minimum of five days (20 capsules).

Editor's Note: Personal experience has taught that medicines that are over one year old should be discarded. This is especially true of Tetracyline, which can become poisenous when aged.

Cutter Insect Repellent: Use this effective product to prevent insect bites. Although it is moderately expensive, only a little of the product is necessary to be effective. This tends to offset the extra cost. This is the most effective repellent the author has found.

DRESSINGS AND SUPPLIES:

4 to 6 sanitary napkins
6 to 10 4" X 4" gauze flats
1 roll 4" Kling or Kelex
1 roll 2" Kling or Kelex
Band-Aid 1" adhesive bandages
1 roll 1" adhesive tape
2 pair panty hose
6 large safety pins
2 books of paper matches
1 to 2 rolls 6" elastic bandage
Dow Chemical Ziploc bags in several sizes

The contents of the kit should be inspected frequently, replacing items utilized. Any medicines in bottles should be kept tightly sealed to prevent moisture damage. Excess space in the bottles should be filled with cotton to prevent pill breakage.

How To Use Your First Aid Kit When Emergencies Arise

Here are some typical incidents on board and First Aid suggestions.

Treating Open Wounds: Such accidents as being hit by the boom on a sailboat or being tossed against the bulkhead by a sudden lurch of the vessel, can result in a bleeding gash on the head. Clean the wound with Betadine Solution; apply antibiotic ointment; and use a sanitary napkin to fit generously over the wound. To keep the napkin in place, use a six inch elastic bandage, wrapped comfortably around head and napkin. If the wound is in a position where it is difficult to hold the bandage in place, try putting the sanitary pad over the wound and using one leg of a panty hose robbers' mask style over the head and face to hold the dressing to the victim's head. To make the person more comfortable, carefully cut slits for the eyes, nose and mouth. Sometimes a leg of panty hose tied around the head and over the dressing will work.

Cleaning Wounds: These basic precepts should be practiced until they become automatic. Follow these steps; First, clean wounds with soap and water. Second, rinse clean with fresh water or clean sea water. Finally, paint the area with Betadine Solution. If a dressing is necessary on a small wound, use Scarlet Red dressing or Bacitracin and a band-aid. For a large wound, the Scarlet Red dressing is preferred. The dressing can be covered with a sanitary napkin for absorption, or with 4" X 4" gauze flats. The napkin or gauze should be held in place by either Kling roller gauze, a six inch elastic bandage or panty hose. Do not stretch the elastic bandage or panty hose tight, however.

Treating Infections: Antibiotics are in the kit (penicillin and tetracycline), packaged in a complete course. If an antibiotic is elected to be opened and used, the entire contents should be taken as directed until the course is completed. If the ailing person is allergic to penicillin, use tetracycline. Indications for initiation of antibiotic treatment are a sustained (24 hr.) fever or a severely contaminated injury (full of dirt, stool material, puncture wounds, or other contaminates).

Relieving Pain: A supply of aspirin should always be in readiness on board. A small number of aspirin with codeine (by prescription) is a must in your boating kit. The latter should be pressed into use only for a severe injury or illness that is such that aspirin alone cannot keep the ailing person comfortable. Rarely are people allergic to codeine. However, many people are sensitive to it. Sensitivity is manifest by an upset stomach and sometimes vomiting. This can be minimized by breaking a tablet in two and taking a half tablet at a time, thereby reducing the dosage. While codeine is an addictive drug, brief periods of use are well tolerated and can do much to get a person through a very trying situation.

Treating Bruises and Sprains: Bruises or sprains are discomforting. The immediate application of cold water packs can bring relief. Place a wash cloth, dipped in sea water, into a Ziploc bag or fill the bag with ice. Wrap the bag with a thin cloth to keep the plastic away from the skin, and hold the pack in place on the bruised or injured area by using the six inch elastic bandage. Re-moisten the cloth at intervals to maintain the cold. Continue cold packs for 24 to 48 hours. This will minimize swelling, and thus, aid in speeding healing. If used continuously, as directed, the cold packs will reduce the pain, although this may not be discerned by the ailing person immediately. You've probably heard someone say "He was so cold he was numb." The fact is that numbness helps deaden pain.

Treating Burns: If possible, dip the affected area into sea water immediately. Both the cold of the water and the salt content will be helpful. Next, partially fill a Ziploc bag with cold water or ice, cover the bag with a cloth, and hold on the burned area for one or two hours. If using water, change the water often enough to maintain the cold. Next, apply Scarlet Red dressing, cover with gauze flats or a sanitary napkin, and wrap to block air contact. Hold the dressings in place with a six inch elastic bandage or with panty hose. The snugness and protection from the air will greatly alleviate pain.

Treating Sprains and Fractures: Severe sprains or fractures require immobilization to prevent further injury. A most comfortable and effective splint can be made from your prize, soft pillow. Place the injured arm, hand, wrist, leg, ankle or foot on the pillow and fold the pillow to enclose the injured part. Next, wrap snugly with six inch elastic bandage. To make a sling for a sore, or possibly fractured, arm, split a pair of panty hose in half, up the middle of the panty section. Take one leg of the hose and pull it over the arm, to, but not including, the foot of the hose. Next with a scissors, split the hose at the upper end. This will make a tail that can be pulled around behind the neck to the opposite shoulder. Finally, pull the toe of the hose up and tie it together with the tail, behind the neck. This supports the arm, providing pressure, without cutting off the circulation.

Treating Eye Injuries: Eyes are extremely precious and require judicious care. Small, light, foreign bodies in the eye can be removed best by blinking till the offending object is re-located in the sac and off the eyeball. The object can then be removed by a helper, using a clean paper match. Hold the match head in the fingers. Use the torn end to touch and sweep the foreign body out of the sac.

For extensive eye injuries secure medical help promptly. In the meantime, use cold packs of ice or cold water (as for bruises) to keep the eye chilled. This will reduce further injury and give amazing relief. DO NOT APPLY PRESSURE TO THE EYEBALL. If infection is a possibility, begin a course of antibiotics immediately and get to help without delay.

Treating Sea Sickness: The simplest cure is to go ashore. If that is impossible and/or susceptibility to mal-de-mer is known, anti-motion tablets should be started before boarding the boat, or as soon as possible. Drinking alcohol will increase the chances of sea sickness.

Prescriptions for medications noted in the article can usually be secured from your personal physician. He is the health professional who is best acquainted with both the medicines described and with your ability to use them responsibly.

© 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 Vernon Publications, Northwest Boat Travel. All rights reserved.