Our marine medical kit is complete. It includes:
- first aid supplies
- over-the-counter medications
- prescription medications
When I was building our kit, I felt like I was building a field hospital. That is, until our travel doctor sent me a link to a medical list prepared by a cruising doctor. Her list is far more exhaustive than mine. But, she is a doctor. The following sections describe the components within our medical kit.
First aid supplies
Our first aid kit borrows heavily from the supply list for the Adventure Medical Kits’ Marine 3000 medical kit. But, unlike this pre-packed kit, I store our kit in a carry-on sized suitcase. I arranged modules, such as “Burns” using XL Ziploc bags and a label machine.
The Marine 3000 medical kit cost about $750 US. Factoring in the cost of over-the-counter medications, our kit cost about $1100. But, I have supplies to last us for two years and beyond. I also have more extensive Burn and Dental supplies than you might find in a pre-packaged kit.
For example, the Marine 3000 kit includes 2 cold packs. I have 100 chemically-activated cold packs. Why so many? We have four children!
| Module | Component |
| Airway/Circulation/Breathing | ADC Berman Oral airway kit 6 sizes in poly bag |
| Airway/Circulation/Breathing | MCR Medical CPR Rescue Mask, Adult/Child Pocket Resuscitator, Hard Case with Wrist Strap |
| Airway/Circulation/Breathing | MD One Stainless Steel Premium Dual Head Stethoscope – Aqua Green (MDF777-09) |
| Airway/Circulation/Breathing | Airway Kit – Nasopharygngeal Respiration Tubes In 5 Sizes – With Surgilube Jelly Packets |
| Books | Adventure Medical Kits Marine Medicine, Eric A. Weiss, MD and Michael E. Jacobs, MD |
| Books | The Ship Captain’s Medical Guide, 22nd Edition |
| Breaks and Sprains | Dynarex Instant Cold Pack, 4 Inches x 5 Inches, quantity: 100 |
| Breaks and Sprains | SAM Rolled Splint 36″, Orange/Blue (x1) |
| Breaks and Sprains | SAM Splint Junior (18″) from Rescue Essentials (x2) |
| Breaks and Sprains | SAM Medical Finger Splint, Orange and Blue, 3 Count |
| Breaks and Sprains | Singer Assorted Safety Pins, Multisize, 50-Count |
| Breaks and Sprains | ACE Elastic Bandage with Clips, 6 Inches |
| Breaks and Sprains | ACE Elastic Bandage with Clips, 4 Inches |
| Breaks and Sprains | ACE Elastic Bandage with Hook Closure, 3 Inches (Pack of 2) |
| Breaks and Sprains | 3 Non-Woven Triangular Bandage with 2 Fastening Hooks, 56″ Length x 40″ Width |
| Burns | Water Jel Burn First Aid Dressing 4×16 Each |
| Burns | First Aid Only 4″ X 4″ Water Jel Burn Dressing, Sterile (Pack of 3) |
| Burns | Water-jel Emergency Burn Dressing 12″ X 16″ Face Mask |
| Burns | Waterjel 2618 Water-Jel Sterile Gel-Soaked Burn Dressing, 18″ Length x 8″ Width |
| Burns | Water Jel, First Aid Burn Relief, Burn jel, 25 count |
| Burns | Aloe/Lidocaine Sunburn gel |
| Dental | Osung D-MDSS-04H Double Sided Dental Mirror with Handle, SS |
| Dental | Think Safe V12080 Save-A-Tooth Tooth Preservation Kit |
| Dental | Dentemp Maximum Strength Lost Fillings and Loose Caps Repair, 12-Count, (Pack of 6) |
| Dental | Nature Hue Organic Clove Essential Oil 10 ml, 100% Pure, Undiluted |
| Dental | Butler G-U-M Orthodontic Wax |
| Dental | Cement Spatula Dental Instrument |
| Dental | Dental floss |
| Dental | New toothbrush |
| Dental | Syringe 60cc Luer Lock Tip Sterile (Pack of 2) |
| Other/General | Ear Thermometer |
| Other/General | Blood Pressure machine |
| Other/General | SafeTouch Nitrile Exam Gloves, Non Latex, Powder Free, Large, Box/100 |
| Other/General | Adventure Medical Kits Sol Survival Blanket, Two Person, 3.2-Ounce (pack Of 2) |
| Other/General | Adventure Medical Kits Sol Two Person Emergency Bivvy Blanket |
| Other/General | Purell 9652-06-ECDECO Advanced Design Series Hand Sanitizer, 8 oz Bottles (Pack of 4) |
| Other/General | Clauss Titanium Bonded Bent Snips, 7″ |
| Other/General | Scissors |
| Other/General | Duct tape |
| Other/General | Puritan Junior Tongue Depressor, Cherry Flavored, 50/box |
| Other/General | UCO Stormproof Matches, Waterproof and Windproof with 15 Second Burn Time – 50 Matches |
| Other/General | Eye wash cup |
| Other/General | Bug Spray |
| Suturing and surgery | BETADINE ANTISEPTIC SOL HOSP 16OZ |
| Suturing and surgery | Syringe 60cc Luer Lock Tip Sterile (Pack of 8) |
| Suturing and surgery | Surgical Tweezers – Grade A Bent Tip Fine Point Serrated Tip Tweezers SET – BUNDLE, 2 PCS – Long Nose, Long handled – Dental Curved Tip – Heavy Stainl |
| Suturing and surgery | Skin Staple Remover, Sterile, Disposable, 3 Pack |
| Suturing and surgery | 3M Precise Multi-Shot Disposable Skin Stapler, Skin Stapler 15 Disp, (1 EACH, 1 EACH) |
| Suturing and surgery | Thumb Rat Tooth Tissue Forceps 1X2Teeth 5.5″ |
| Suturing and surgery | Premiere 9411 Disposable Scalpels with #11 High-Carbon Steel Blades, Plastic Handle, Sterile, Individually Foil Wrapped, Box of 10 pcs |
| Suturing and surgery | 5.5″ KELLY Hemostat FORCEPS (Straight) |
| Suturing and surgery | Medi-Pak Performance Sterile Lubricating Jelly – 4 oz Tube – Pack of 3 |
| Suturing and surgery | Single Disposable Enema Bag Set, Qty 1 |
| Suturing and surgery | Mayo Hegar Needle Holder Standard 5 Straight |
| Suturing and surgery | Adventure Medical Kits Suture Syringe Medic kit (1 person single use) |
| Suturing and surgery | Enema kit |
| Wounds and Bleeding | 3M Steri Strip Skin Closures 1/4” X 3” – 20 Packages of 3 |
| Wounds and Bleeding | Skin-TacTM Adhesive Barrier Wipes 50 count |
| Wounds and Bleeding | QuikClot Advanced Clotting Sponge, 1.75 oz (50g) x2 |
| Wounds and Bleeding | QuikClot Sport, Advanced Clotting Sponge 25G x2 |
| Wounds and Bleeding | Trauma Pads, 5″ x 9″ COMBINE ABD (PACK OF 5) |
| Wounds and Bleeding | Trauma Pads, 8″ x 10″ (x2) |
| Wounds and Bleeding | Super Glue The Original Super Glue 15187, .07 Ounce, 12-pack |
| Wounds and Bleeding | Ever Ready First Aid Israeli Bandage Battle Dressing First Aid Compression Bandage, 6 Inch |
| Wounds and Bleeding | 3M Transpore Clear 1-Inch Wide First Aid Tape, 10-Yard Roll (5 Rolls) + FREE BONUS 3M Micropore Paper Tape – Tan, 1″ Wide (1 Roll) |
| Wounds and Bleeding | Surgical Brushes – x6 (plastic fine-bristled, sensory brushes) |
| Wounds and Bleeding | Dynarex Stretch Gauze Bandage Roll, Non-Sterile, 4″, Box/12 |
| Wounds and Bleeding | Pac-Kit 7-200 Sterile Eye Pad and Strip (Box of 10) |
| Wounds and Bleeding | GoodSense Maximum Strength Triple Antibiotic Ointment plus Pain Relief, 1 Ounce |
| Wounds and Bleeding | 3m Tegaderm Transparent Film Dressing 2.375″ x 2.75″/Picture Frame Style/Package of 20 |
| Wounds and Bleeding | 3M Tegaderm Transparent Film Dressing – 4″ x 4 3/4″ – – Box of 10 |
| Wounds and Bleeding | McKesson Performance Plus Gauze Sponge Cover Dressing Sterile 4″X4″ Latex Free – 2 pack with 25 count in each (Total of 50) |
| Wounds and Bleeding | Johnson & Johnson 2 Inch x 2 Inch hospital Grade Gauze Pad, 25 Count (Pack of 2) |
| Wounds and Bleeding | Johnson & Johnson Red Cross Gauze Pads, 3 Inch x 3 Inch, 25 Count (Pack of 2) |
| Wounds and Bleeding | Dr. Scholl’s Moleskin Plus 4 5/8-Inch X 3 3/8 Inch Padding, 3 Count Package |
| Wounds and Bleeding | Spenco 2nd Skin Dressing Kit Sports, 8 count |
| Wounds and Bleeding | Johnson & Johnson Red Cross Non-Stick Pads, 3 Inch x 4 Inch, 10 Count (Pack of 2) |
| Wounds and Bleeding | Assorted bandaids |
| Wounds and Bleeding | Finger/toe protectors (toe condoms) |
| Wounds and Bleeding | Antiseptic wipes (100) |
| Wounds and Bleeding | Isopropyl Alcohol |
Over-the-counter medications
The following Table itemizes our over-the-counter medications.
| Ailment | Product |
| Acid reflux | Tums Antiacid and Calcium Supplement Extra Strength |
| Antibiotic (topical) | Triple Antibiotic Ointment and Pain relief ointment |
| Antibiotic (topical) | Neosporin antibiotic and pain relieving cream |
| Athlete’s foot | Lamisil AT Athlete’s Foot Cream – 1 oz |
| Cold sores | Oraljel |
| Constipation | Kirkland Signature Stool Softener Docusate Sodium 100 mg, 400 Softgels/Bottle |
| Constipation | Senekot-S (about 4 pills left) |
| Constipation | Metamucil (300 capsules) |
| Diarrhea | Kirkland Signature Anti-Diarrheal Loperamide Hydrochloride 2 MG Caplets, 200-Count Bottles (Pack of 2) |
| Lice | Nix, and excellent thin-toothed comb, and zapping tool |
| Lice | Cetaphil skin cleanser |
| Hemmorhoids | Equate Maxium strength Hemorrhoidal Cream (1 tube with applicator) |
| Hemmorhoids | Tucks Medicated Cooling Pads (100) |
| Rehydration | RecoverORS for Hangovers, Food Poisoning, Diarrhea |
| Rehydration | Pedialyte Large Powder Packs, Orange, .6 oz, 6 Count |
| Seasickness | Dramamine Tablets Less Drowsy Formula, 8 tablets (14 packs) |
| Seasickness (kids) | Dramamine Motion Sickness Relief for Kids, Grape Flavor, 8 Count |
| Skin itch, rashes | Caladryl Lotion, Calamine Plus Itch Reliever, 6-Ounce Bottle |
| Skin itch, rashes | Top Care Anti-Itch Cream Diphenhyudramine Hydrochloride2% |
| Skin itch, rashes | Top Care Hydrocortisone 1% antipruritic (anti0-itch) cream |
| Stomach ache | Equate Stomach Relief Caplets 40ct Compare to Pepto-Bismol |
| Stomach ache (kids strength) | Pepto-bismol Children’s Pepto, Bubble Gum Flavor Chewable Tablet, 24-Count Units (Pack of 3) |
| Sunburn and other burns | Aloe and lidocaine gel and cream |
| Swimmer’s ear | Ear Drying Aid Ear Drops for Swimmers |
| Tooth Pain | Anbesol Liquid Oral Anesthetic Maximum Strength Gel – 0.41 Oz |
| UTI | AZO Standard Urinary Pain Relief Tablets, 30 Count |
| Warts | Compound W Gel |
| Yeast infection | Monistat 7 (x1) |
| Allergy (kids) | Children’s Benadryl (we already own 10 Epipens) |
| Allergy | Kirkland non-drowsy AllerClear (Loratadine 10mg/tablet) |
| Coughs, Colds | Kirkland Daytime/Nightime relief Acetaminophen and antihistamine combination |
| Fever/Pain | Tylenol Extra Strength 500mg |
| Fever/Pain (kids strength) | Children’s Tylenol |
| Muscle ache | Advil |
| Musle ache (Kids strength) | Children’s Advil |
Prescription medications
I was proactive in purchasing a years’ worth of daily prescription medications for our family. But, before we left Ottawa, I should have also ordered prescription medications to have on hand for our “Ship’s medical chest”.
In the end, I approached our Ottawa-based travel doctor, Dr. Robert Birnbaum to get his recommendations and prescriptions. With his help, and the help of some friends and Fedex, I arranged to have antibiotics and antibiotic creams shipped to us in Tavernier, Florida.
It wasn’t actually as easy to ship medication across the border from Canada to the US. But, I won’t bore you with the details. Suffice it to say, I’d recommend ordering medications for a Ship’s Medical Chest before you leave your home country.
The prescription medications in our Ship’s Medical Chest borrow from the OceanMedix Cruiser Prescription Kit. However, Dr. Birnbaum provided us with child-strength Azithromycin powder, which must be reconstituted by a pharmacist. By arranging the medication ourselves, rather than buying a pre-packaged kit we saved about $500 US.
Our prescription medications are stored in a locker in double Ziploc bags. For greater organization, I plan to create an inventory list to attach to the inside our the locker.
Becoming a Sailor 
Lorraine, as a ex CG medic, I didn’t see a couple of things I think you should have for major bleeding like an artery or vein. A couple more hemostats, with curved ends, so you can reach in and clamp off a bleeder and tape it to the body. Also a couple of tourniquets the modern ones that military now uses are quite handy with Velcro straps and built in tensioner, much better than a rag and a stick like we used to use back in the day. First action is the tourniquet and then go in and try to clamp off the bleeding vessel. Pat Date: Tue, 15 Dec 2015 06:55:29 +0000 To: preischmann@msn.com
LikeLike
For our medical kit – constipation I bought laxido. They are powdered sachets that work rather well.
I thankfully don’t have to majorly think about ours for another six months but I have antibiotics and Tons of paracetamol.
Sent from my HTC
LikeLike
Happy to learn it reached you OK. Sorry unable to be the courrier. Another time perhaps. Have a great Christmas. Waiting to see a photo of the fully decorated and treed cat!!! 8 degrees here today, people are actually hoping for winter! Maybe… Hugs to all.
LikeLike
[…] Our marine medical kit is complete. It includes: first aid supplies over-the-counter medications prescription medications When I was building our kit, I felt like I was building a field hospital. That is, until our travel doctor sent me … Article by medical packs – Google Blog Search. Read entire story here. […]
LikeLike