Medical Kit for Blue Water: What to Carry When There’s No Hospital

Blue water cruising takes you days or weeks from professional medical care. Your onboard medical kit and knowledge become the first—and possibly only—response to illness or injury. Building a comprehensive kit requires balancing thoroughness against space constraints.

Prescription Medications

Work with a physician who understands offshore medicine to assemble prescription items. Antibiotics covering common infections—respiratory, skin, urinary tract, and gastrointestinal—form the core. Injectable medications may be necessary when oral administration isn’t possible.

Pain management requires serious consideration. Strong analgesics address traumatic injuries but carry legal complications in some countries. Document prescriptions thoroughly and carry copies of physician letters explaining medical necessity.

Wound Care

Marine wounds heal poorly. Salt water exposure, limited freshwater for cleaning, and tropical conditions promote infection. Stock extensive wound care supplies: irrigation syringes, various bandages, antibiotic ointments, and closure strips or staples for larger wounds.

Suture kits and training to use them give options for significant lacerations. Many cruisers take wilderness medicine courses covering wound closure techniques.

Emergency Equipment

Splinting materials address fractures that can’t receive professional care for days. SAM splints conform to various injuries. Cervical collars may be necessary for spinal precautions. Thoracic seals address penetrating chest injuries.

Epinephrine auto-injectors address severe allergic reactions. Even if no crew member has known allergies, anaphylaxis can occur unexpectedly. This medication saves lives when professional help is hours away.

Medical Training

A well-stocked kit without training provides limited value. Wilderness First Responder courses teach assessment and treatment in remote settings. Maritime-specific courses address boat-related injuries and illnesses.

Reference materials—both printed books and digital resources—guide treatment decisions when memory fails under stress. Telemedicine services can provide physician consultation via satellite communication when connectivity exists.