Diver First Aid Essentials

Fire coral, Lion fish, or jellyfish sting?  Maybe a cut by rusty metal on a sunken ship?  Get your finger caught between the tender and the dock?  Where is the nearest first aid kit? Right in your dive bag of course!

Think small and compact because most divers are travelers as well. If you make your kit too large you will at some point just leave it home to save weight or space. Now think bleeding control. Gauze, band-aids, a sanitary cloth, medical tape.  Cleaning and disinfecting. You are going to need antibiotic ointment, iodine, peroxide, alcohol prep pads. Stings, burns, or skin reactions remedies include vinegar or rubbing alcohol, Hydrocortisone cream, or commercial sting relief wipes. Pain relief and or anti inflammatory like ibuprofen, Naproxen sodium (Aleve) or and emergency supply of prescription meds. Medical aids or instruments like small scissors, tweezers, needle and thread, cotton swabs.  Don't forget motion sickness meds or Ginger to combat nausea. Keep it as small as practical, use a water tight case and use common sense. You will be surprised at how much you can fit in a small container.