Whether you are buying a first aid kit or building one, you will want to be sure keep your kit in a watertight or waterproof container or bag. If all your first aid supplies get wet and ruined they will do you no good. You will want to make sure after every trip that you check your kit before going out again and replace all the items you used. This will ensure you have all that you need. The basic items you will need are as follows:
Band aids– These come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. When going floating you will definitely need the waterproof ones. You will also want to make sure you have a lot of different shapes and sizes. Some cuts are bigger and require larger band aids. You will also consider buying the ones with the antibiotic built on them for easy use. This way you can just grab one out and be on your way.
Antibiotic Cream– Just in case the band aids you get do not have it on them you will want to bring extra. You will probably want to anyway just in case you would need extra or you run out of antibiotic band aids. Some cuts need to be uncovered and this is when the cream comes in handy.
Ibuprofen, acetaminophen– You will need these in case there are any accidents and you need something for the pain. These will also come in handy if someone starts running a fever or someone just has a headache.
Sunscreen Lotion– This is always a must if you are gonna be out in the sun on the water all day. The last thing you want on your trip is a sun burn.
Prescription medicine– This is required only if there are certain medicines that someone has to take and can not go without. This includes inhalers as well for those with asthma.
Bug bite cream- This will come in handy because you are out in nature and when night time comes the bugs come out too. You will need to apply this right away to avoid itching and making the bite worse.
Tweezers– These great tools come in very handy if you get a tick on you or if you get a splinter. There are endless uses for tweezers so do not forget them.
Antihistamines– If you have any kind of allergies you will definitely want to take these. Nothing is more miserable than allergies without any help to deal with them.
Alcohol wipes– These will be needed in case someone does get a scrape or scratch, it will need to be cleaned. Having these wipes will prevent infection from happening.
Emergency phone number– Just in case something would happen you would have all the numbers you need. The best thing to do is to notify someone close what you are doing so they know where you are and what to do if something would happen to you.
Cell phone– This is not a must but always useful if needed. You will also want to be sure this is with the rest of your items in the waterproof container so it does not get ruined.
The best thing you can do before you leave is go to CPR and first aid classes. You never know when these skills will be useful. Safety comes first.
