Boat First Aid Kits

First Aid Kits for Boats Resources and Information

PartsVu is thrilled to offer a selection of first aid kits for boats to keep you and your passengers safe out on the water. These first-aid kits include everything you need to address different types of common medical emergencies until your can guide your boat safely back to the shore and seek further medical attention. 

Looking for more boating and marine products? Check out our complete selection of Products and Accessories or shop our broader categories of Boating Accessories and Boating Safety Equipment and Boat Safety Equipment, Lifejackets, & Personal Floatation Devices. 

Boat First Aid Kits FAQs

What type of boat first aid kit should I get?

Smart boating involves being prepared to address injuries or even medical emergencies out on the water. The type of first aid or medical kit needed depends on the type of boating being pursued. For example, near-shore boating in frequently traveled areas likely requires only a fairly basic first aid kit to treat minor cuts, insect stings, sunburns, and other similar injuries. However, offshore boating requires being prepared for true medical emergencies where help could be a few hours away and lives could be at stake.

PartsVu recommends the following medical kits:

• Orion Safety Products Daytripper First Aid Kit – Great for day trips
• Orion Safety Products Coastal First Aid Kit – Perfect for the inshore and near-shore fisherman
• Orion Safety Products Bluewater First Aid Kit – Ideal for coastal cruisers & offshore fisherman

What other boat safety equipment should I have on hand?

When out on the water, the only items you have are the ones you bring. People often forget about the possibility of minor injuries, but some additional preparedness will have you ready for anything.

• Bring a first aid kit along for all outings. This is especially important when fishing.
• Since the sun reflects off the water, it is wise to consistently apply proper sun protection to make sure you don’t get burned. Sun protective clothing is a smart choice— it provides all-day protection that doesn’t need reapplying. Pro-tip: some sunscreen is toxic to the marine environment and repels fish, who can smell even trace amounts on bait. For any part of your body not covered by UPF clothing, use sunscreen that’s both reef-safe and fish-friendly.
• While some boats are simply too large for this to be practical, carrying a paddle or two on board is a good idea in many cases. Even if you can’t paddle all the way back to a marina or dock when your engine goes, you may be able to reach the closest bit of land and wait for help. A good anchor with enough chains will also be helpful.
• We’ve written extensively on the importance of a VHF radio, but it simply can’t be overstated. Cell phones aren’t enough in many areas, and you’ll be glad to have security.
• Be alert to changing conditions on the water and aware of weather that can change quickly. The danger of boating in a storm is no joke!
• Finally, bring plenty of drinking water for everyone on board to stay hydrated. In the face of unexpected problems, you don’t want to be caught stuck on your boat with an insufficient water supply.

What are some of the most popular boating safety equipment? 

Type I, offshore life jackets provide the most buoyancy and are specifically designed for rough, open waters, where rescue might be delayed. They are also designed to turn an unconscious person face up in the water.

Given that man-overboard situations can be sudden and deadly when boating offshore, automatically inflating PFDs are a must. Automatic inflation relies mostly on a dissolvable bobbin with a spring/pin arrangement. The water dissolves the bobbin, and the spring-powered pin punches the CO2 canister for inflation. Because the spring/pin arrangement can fail, every automatically inflating PFD has a manual cord and oral inflation tube. Many PFDs designed for offshore boating include pockets for PLBs and strobe lights.

A ditch bag must contain the items needed to call for help and to survive in a life raft while waiting for rescue. A ditch bag must be kept in an accessible location on board, ready for immediate removal should the need arise.

We recommend against trying to adapt a duffel bag or using a dry bag. Rather, we advise using bags specifically designed for abandon-ship/survival situations. What features should your ditch bag have? Floatation, water resistance, bright colors for visibility, carrying straps, and tethers for sure. Additionally, we suggest looking for a bag with well-designed dividers so you can organize your gear. Finally, the bag must be large enough to contain survival gear plus food and water for you and all others on board.

A life raft is designed to keep the passengers of a sunk, capsized, or burned boat alive until they can be rescued. Although every offshore boater hopes to never need their life raft, it is the most important piece of equipment aboard. Life rafts leave the passengers aboard with little protection from the elements but are designed for visibility to aid with rescue efforts. Although much-needed safety devices, they should only be used as a last resort. Whenever possible, it is safer to stay aboard your main vessel even if it is damaged.

Why should boaters follow safety regulations?

Boating on various waterways is similar to automobiles out on the roads and highways—safety devices are designed to keep people safe. Thousands of accidents occur, many of which have a high probability of injury and a substantial number of cases resulting in death.

Specifically, in 2020 the Coast Guard counted 5,265 recreational boating accidents resulting in 767 deaths, 3,191 injuries, and approximately $62.5 million of property damage. Where the cause of death was known, 75% of fatal boating accident victims drowned. Of those drowning victims with reported life jacket usage, 86% were not wearing a life jacket.

Since most accidents occur unexpectedly, there may not be sufficient time to put on a life jacket, especially when stowed away in a locker. In cases where a person is thrown overboard, it is harder than you think to get them back on board, which can be assisted with proper equipment. Always be sure personal floatation devices (PFDs) are in good and serviceable condition. For extra protection, equip your PFDs with a whistle and emergency light.

What do I do if I’m in a boating accident?

In the event of a boat accident, the first action required of a boat operator is to stop at the scene and assess the situation. What damage has occurred to your vessel, or to the other vessel involved? Are passengers hurt or in need of immediate assistance?

If passengers have fallen into the water, hit their heads, or otherwise have serious injuries, be sure to provide first aid. It’s important that you and all involved act quickly to help one another as much as possible. 

Wearing life jackets (or keeping them easily accessible) and following other safety recommendations save lives in these situations. For the past two decades, falling overboard has been the leading type of boating-related fatal accident, with drowning as the leading cause of death. For 9 out of 10 drownings, the victims were not wearing a lifejacket. 

Being proactive and ensuring that all safety precautions are taken will only benefit you and your passengers. 

If there are no individuals in need of immediate help, move your boat out of the way of oncoming vessels. If you’re able to do so, drop anchor so you can focus on the next few steps.

This isn’t necessary 100% of the time, but certainly is if there are injuries or any type of damage to your vessel. You’ll be grateful you invested in a VHF radio.

It’s important to get the names and contact information of as many people as possible. Get this information from:

• The other boat operator
• All passengers on both boats
• Any eyewitnesses

In addition, you’ll want the registration or ID number of the other vessel, the other boater’s insurance company name, and their policy number. 

You’ll also want to take notes about how, when, and where the accident occurred. Take photos of both boats and any damage either may have sustained.