First aid kit needed, none on board.

TinBoats.net

Help Support TinBoats.net:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

Deadmeat

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 4, 2008
Messages
440
Reaction score
0
Location
Knoxville, TN
Yesterday I came to realize that there was one thing I need to have on board but didn't have--a first aid kit. Why, I don't know. I had one on my old boat but for some reason it had slipped my mind to have one on board my new boat. I remembered it yesterday. I was cutting my line when my right foot slipped on the bottom of the boat and I went to catch myself with my left hand on the deck. Problem was, that's where my knife was. I managed to lay the left side of my hand open big time and only then realized I didn't have a first aid kit on board. I had a big roll of paper towels, however, and used some of them to try to control the bleeding but as soon as I applied a paper towel it was pretty much soaked with blood. No arteries were cut, thank goodness. Worse, I was fishing by myself. I cranked the engine and headed back to the ramp about six miles away where I found a buddy of mine just getting ready to launch. He helped me get the boat back on the trailer and he had gauze and tape to bandage my hand. We managed to get the bleeding stopped but by then the back of the boat looked like some folks I've seen on an autopsy table. I've got a tiller handle and the handle, motor, and transom had blood all over it. Anyway, I got home and spent a few minutes getting the blood off the carpet of the deck and rear seat before setting off to the emergency room. To make a long story short, I've got a few staples in my hand but all in all was very lucky. I found out the hard way the problem of not having a first aid kit when one is needed. Lesson learned.
 
...I got home and spent a few minutes getting the blood off the carpet of the deck and rear seat before setting off to the emergency room...


Priorites, priorities, lol. Glad the knife didn't cut anything drastic in your hand, and hope you heal quickly. :)
 
Working in a hospital I occassionally supplement my first aid kit with possible needed supplies. Couple of items that most first aid kits lacks. ACE bandages. Can wrap and apply pressure at the same time. Suture removal kit. Great to suture yourself with. Keep some 4 pound fishing line just for emergency sutures. Super glue and perma bond. Superglue will work if there is no perma bond adhesive. I also like to keep a liter of sterile saline to flush the wound especially if you are going to attempt to glue or suture yourself. Just some food for thought but I may be willing to go a little further in treating myself than most folks. Later guys!
 
:shock: Whew!! Man that was close. Yep, glad nothing serious was cut.....get a pair of clippers to cut your line.
 
Glad you are safe now. I hope you heal quickly, and I'm sending prayers your way.

Don't you hate when we learn the hard way. I do have a pretty good FA Kit on board...fortunately, I haven't had to use it.
 
Part of the requirements for passing a Coast Guard saftey inspection (Great Lakes) (Federal Waterways) is to have a approved First Aid Kit on Board. I must confess I do not have one on my boat...after reading this, thats going to change....I hope your hand heals fast....

Outdoorsman
 

Latest posts

Top