The Best Marine First Aid Kits

A First Aid Kit is one of the essential items people should have for outdoor activities, including setting out on a boat. For such activities, having a First Aid Kit is a must; and having a good and reliable Marine First Aid Kit could make a world of difference, especially on a boat.

However, there is a boatload of considerations that need to be made when choosing your best marine first aid kit, and this can be a very daunting task for many. Fortunately, we were able to browse a good variety of good Marine First Aid Kits in the market today.

Here, we compiled a selection of the best in terms of product value and utility. Hopefully, this takes a load off your shoulders. Read on.

Top 1

First Aid Only All-Purpose First Aid Kit

• Comes with a case
• Includes pain relievers
• Waterproof

Details

Top 2

Swiss Safe 2-in-1 First Aid Kit

• Wide variety of first aid items
• Durable woven-nylon bag
• Included non-standard survival items

Details

Top 3

DeftGet 163 Pieces First Aid Kit

• Chargeable flashlight powered
• Stainless steel scissors
• Waterproof semi-hard case

Details

Best Marine First Aid Kit Reviews

1. First Aid Only All-Purpose First Aid Kit

The First Aid Only All-Purpose First Aid Kit is what it says: a general-purpose kit that covers an extensive range of minor emergencies.

Cuts, abrasions, scrapes, wounds, and even burns; this well-considered package allows treatment of most minor ailments and injuries. This kit easily satisfies a large portion of your marine first aid kit requirements.

The pack comes with a wide array of adhesive bandages, as well as basic treatment needs. Scissors and tweezers aside, they’ve also included a large trauma pad, a blanket, gloves, and a first aid guide. An eye pad, finger splints, and a thermometer round out the standout inclusions of this kit.

I think the proof of the consideration involved in putting this kit together lies in the inclusion of several common medicines and pain relievers such as aspirin and ibuprofen. And the inclusion of burn cream and gel tops it off in an excellent way.

These items are housed in a soft fabric case with multiple clear pockets, making it easier to wade through a large number of medical items in the container. It is not waterproof but somewhat resistant to water. Plus, the plastic separators help keep the items stored there dry.

2. Swiss Safe 2-in-1 First Aid Kit

The Swiss Safe 2-in-1 First Aid Kit is a marine emergency kit that doubles as a survival kit. It comes with the staple items you’d expect from any good first aid kit and offers a variety of items for different situations.

Some of the items included are bandages for fingers and knuckles, a large-size trauma pad, sterilization wipes and medicated pads; even an instant ice pack, gloves, and a mask. They seem to have placed an emphasis on making it a comprehensive kit for treating minor injuries.

Aside from first aid items, this kit also comes with a bunch of essentials for emergencies; metal shears and tweezers, blankets, a sewing kit, a whistle, a glowstick, and a compass.

All these items are packed into a woven nylon bag, and comes with a mini first aid kit as a bonus. The bag itself is durable enough, not a hard-case pack, but the material should survive most emergencies.

It also doesn’t resist water completely, but it won’t absorb much water unless completely submerged, and individual packaging for items within should help keep things useful.

What I really like about this kit, though, is its first aid guide. It is an 18-page booklet, and provides step-by-step instructions for different scenarios. The text looks clean, and instructions aren’t very long, so it doesn’t look cluttered.

3. DeftGet 163 Pieces First Aid Kit

The DeftGet 163 Pieces First Aid Kit comes with 18 unique items inside. While this has a smaller variety of items compared to other kits on this list, it is by no means inferior.

It comes with medical items: bandaids, bandages, pads, a large triangular bandage, and adhesive tape. Plus, the kit includes some survival supplies like emergency blankets, a whistle, and a saber-card. There are also scissors and tweezers that are both made of stainless steel.

What stands out the most to me in this kit is its flashlight. It’s powered by a hand-cranked dynamo instead of the standard battery-operated type. The flashlight is convenient to have in emergency first-aid situations, as visibility can mean better survival chances during emergencies.

All these items come in a semi-hard case, smaller than the standard-sized kit that we usually see, so it’s easier to stash in a backpack or a compartment. The case is also waterproof, so it would not be a problem if it is exposed to water or rain.

4. M2 BASICS 300 Piece First Aid Kit

The M2 BASICS 300 Piece First Aid Kit is one of the more comprehensive marine first aid kits we have for this list. It comes with 40 unique items, totalling 300 pieces. Just looking at the detailed list of contents, it feels like this kit would have enough to treat a dozen people.

It comes with a wide variety of first aid items; pads, gauze, bandages, tapes, and sterilization items. It also includes a large trauma pad. This kit also comes with survival items such as a whistle, an emergency blanket, and a compass. The whistle is also particularly loud, which would be handy in certain situations.

Also included are some beneficial supplies like a tourniquet and wooden finger splints, which may also function as tongue depressors. In this kit, you can also find metal scissors, tweezers and an instant cold compress pack. A First Aid Guide is also included, which would be indispensable in any urgent situation.

5. SHBC Compact First Aid Kit

SHBC’s Compact First Aid Kit is a quality marine safety kit that boasts a comprehensive range of coverage for emergencies and premium quality items. It comes at a slightly higher price point, but it is easy to recognize that the upgrade is worth it.

As with standard first aid kits, this kit comes with the expected range of medical items, but with additional perks to them; adhesive bandages are waterproof, q-tips are dipped with alcohol and iodine, and also sterile eye pads. That is in addition to the standard package of bandages, pads, wipes, and the like.

The kit also has foil blankets, a silicon tourniquet, and vinyl gloves. Most are common items, but it’s easy to recognize the advance in material quality. It packs a few extra survival items, a saber card and whistle, and the expected scissors and tweezers. And, of course, there is a first aid manual to get you through emergencies.

However, the centerpiece of this kit for me is the EVA case. It is durable, as EVA cases should be. The polyurethane surface gives it a significant degree of waterproofing that makes it an excellent choice for a boating first aid kit.

6. Surviveware Small First Aid Kit

This Small First Aid Kit by Surviveware is an excellent first aid kit to keep on hand at all times. While easy to see that it would be a good kit for trekking or hiking, it’s also a fine choice for a west marine first aid kit.

The kit comes packed in a 600D polyester pouch; it is strong and durable to survive much wear and tear. Light, compact, and heavy-duty at the same time; it almost sounds too good to be true. This pouch is also made easy to attach to bags, backpacks, or to be carried with a belt.

Besides, this pouch is also water-resistant, and the compartments are made of waterproof laminate. If that’s not enough, each compartment is labeled, making it one of the most organized kits you’ll find. And, there are a lot of compartments for you to store different types of items, promoting easy finding in urgent situations.

This first aid kit’s contents, however, are rather basic. It covers the standard range of emergencies that is expected of such kits, so it can be somewhat limited. Perhaps it would be better to treat it as a secondary first aid kit or a personal one that you keep at all times.

7. Coleman Sportsman Waterproof First Aid Kit

If you find yourself in a marine situation where the threat of being left adrift on the water is all too real, packing with the Coleman Sportsman Outdoor Waterproof First Aid Kit is highly recommended.

This kit is packed in a waterproof hard case capable of floating on water for extended periods. It also features a glow-in-the-dark label, which would allow you to find it in low-light conditions. While this situation paints a rather bleak outlook, it’s the reliability that this marine first aid kit has that we should focus on.

This one is a small kit, at 2×4.88×7 inches and 6.4 ounces or barely half a pound. Thus, it should be effortless to keep on you. It packs only the bare essentials of first aid, but this could mean a world of difference in emergencies.

Bandages, wipes, gauze pads, tape, and ointment; just the minimum you would need to administer first aid to minor injuries that could deter your ability to adapt to different situations. As small as this kit is, the value of preparing you for such unseen circumstances cannot be overstated.

8. DeftGet Compact First Aid Kit

For someone going on their first marine adventure, there are many details to plan. A first aid kit would probably be among the most important things to pack, and that is where DeftGet’s Compact First Aid Kit – Mini Survival Tools Box offers its excellent help.

This kit is packed to the brim with items, both for first aid and survival, that most people would not think of preparing for their outing. Gauze, bandages, pads, tape, gloves; all the standard first aid essentials you would need are included. Perhaps the only things you’ll be missing are some common medicines.

It also comes with many survival items that would allow you to cope with many unforeseen situations; raincoat, blanket, sewing kit, whistle, to name a few. I especially like the multi-tool they packed in this bundle; it comes with a flashlight, pliers, a knife, and a few other tools, including a pouch for the multi-tool and a small medicine case.

9. Be Smart Get Prepared 0HBC0082 First Aid Kit

The Be Smart Get Prepared is a first aid pack that meets FDA regulatory standards in the US. And it is produced by one of the leading manufacturers of marine medical kits in the US. Hence, we can expect the pack to offer comprehensive coverage for minor injuries such as cuts, scrapes, and bruises.

The kit’s hard case is waterproof and rugged, as it is made from high-density plastic and looks like it’s ready to take a beating and survive.

The case is labeled well, and at the rear is a detailed list of information, almost like a list of marine first aid kit requirements, including details on the medication applied on first aid items such as pads.

Inside the case are compartments where first aid items are laid out in an organized manner and where it is easy to sort through them due to the ample space that the case provides.

The standard first aid items, such as bandages and pads aside, are antiseptic wipes, instant cold compress, and a first aid guide.

10. Monoki First Aid Kit Survival Kit

This Monoki First Aid and Survival Kit is jam-packed with items you could need in a wide array of emergencies. They seem to have considered far more than most would prepare for, and it is their strong survival offering that truly stands out.

This kit comes with a staggering number of items. The variety of survival items included is impressive, as it comes with a multi-tool, a stainless-steel saber card, and a folding knife. There’s also an LED flashlight, floaters, and other staples such as a whistle; and even a fishing line, hook, weights, and bait.

Compared to its survival kit offering, however, its first aid offering seems weak, as they opted to include only the basic essentials. The brand includes adhesive bandages, pads, wipes – all the standard items you’d want in your boat first aid kit. As a whole, it is still an excellent kit, but the survival item quality being reliable makes you want to get even more.

The case it comes with is made of EVA material and nylon, both waterproof and shockproof. The contents stay neat inside the case, and yet there is some extra space for medicine. A first aid booklet also comes inside the case. Notably, the whole package with 241 pieces only weighs around 1.5 pounds, adding little burden to your journey.

11. Always Prepared Marine Kits

This kit by Always Prepared is a highly specialized marine safety kit, and could even function as a yacht first aid kit. Produced with marine activities in mind, this kit is recommended for any water activity and covers both first aid and survival needs.

Its first aid offers the standard necessities; bandages, pads, tapes, and the like. Also included are vinyl gloves, motion sickness patches, and a blanket.

On the other hand, its survival kit offerings are specialized for marine kit needs. You have a rain poncho, a wrench, electrical tape, bungee cords, a compass, a whistle, and a multi-tool. These items seem to be included with boat emergencies in mind, and the self-powered flashlight is a nice inclusion.

All of the items come in a solid case that is both waterproof and watertight. It is large enough that all these things fit neatly and still has some spare room for your personal belongings, documentation, and the like. The case is easy-carry and does not look like it would give out from tumbling around or even when exposed to nature.

12. I GO Mini Compact First Aid Kit

The I GO 85 pieces Hard Shell Mini Compact First Aid Kit is a compact kit with quite a few things that most small kits do not. It is among the affordable ones on our list, yet it could give most other kits a run for their money as far as value is concerned.

First, it offers the standard first aid expected of such kits; you would be able to treat cuts, bruises, and other minor injuries, but the inclusion of a triangular bandage and a first aid guide allows you to do even more.

In addition, it also includes a whistle, scissors, tweezers, and a carabiner for attaching the kit to bags. Pads and wipes are medicated, making it much easier to apply first aid when it matters the most.

All of these items are housed in a waterproof EVA pouch, making it durable and reliable. The pockets inside the pouch are of a mesh pocket design, thus can keep all items firmly in place while giving you good visibility of your supplies.

What To Know Before Buying Marine First Aid Kit

For any trip or outdoor activity, and for setting out on a boat especially, having a good first aid kit may mean a big difference in case of emergencies. But, having one of the best marine first aid kits on hand means being more capable of addressing emergencies. It can help out in life-or-death situations.

What Are The Types Of Marine First Aid Kits

Marine First Aid Kit Types are determined by the size of the vessel they are for. Depending on the size of a boat, the required items change due to the number of emergencies to handle to be a coast guard approved first aid kit. The larger and bigger the capacity of a vessel, the more items are needed.

There are two main types of kits:

Type A is for vessels with low population and low risk, such as a private yacht. These usually cover minor injuries.

Benefits:

• Easy to plan for and easy to tailor-fit for different situations
• More affordable due to scope limitation

Drawbacks:

• Unable to cope with major emergencies

Type B is for vessels with a high population and high risks, such as liners and cruise ships. For this type, it is required to treat more severe ailments and injuries, such as lacerations.

Benefits:

• Able to treat more severe injuries and conditions
• Provides better peace of mind

Drawbacks:

• Difficult to plan for, due to numerous considerations and needed resources

However, it would do well to note that these are considerations for commercial vessels and should not have to be considered by non-professionals. Read on to find what considerations there are for us laypersons.

Who Makes The Best Marine First Aid Kits

Unfortunately, there is no one best maker of kits and no one best Kit either. First Aid Kits are specialized and would do well if matched with specific types of activities.

We do, however, have some notable Marine First Aid Kit manufacturers’ products on this list; as such, we will go over some of the companies that made them.

DeftGet

They manufacture an extensive range of first aid and survival solutions and have a lot of experience with this product. Thus, their ability to cater to first aid needs for different scenarios is expectedly good.

SHBC

Their production facilities are FDA approved, and they spend considerable resources on raw materials testing to assure safety in the use of their products.

Be Smart Get Prepared

Their products are FDA-approved medical devices, and their kits are among the top-ranking items on Amazon. They have a long background in survival supplies and also have a GMP certification.

Coleman

This is a well-established global brand whose outdoor items are known for their quality. Whether they’re tents, coolers, or ice chests, their products are bound to be good.

Always Prepared

This manufacturer specializes in Marine First Aid and Survival Kits. Their offerings range from entry-level to professional and cover all marine activity needs.

Is A First Aid Kit Required On A Boats

It depends, but you might be better off thinking that it is. Being on a boat means being by yourself. While that means you’re afforded a certain degree of peace, it also means you are left to your own devices in emergencies, thus the need for the right marine first aid kit.

In situations such as fishing, there may not be a legal requirement to have a first aid kit, but the sense of security you can afford would be well worth any amount of money you would be shelling out.

What Should Be In A Marine First Aid Kit

There are many different first aid kits available on the market these days, each one trying to bring something new to the table. However, there are several classic choices that most kits have, and there is good reason for them to include these items. Here is a rundown of some of the most common items for your boating first aid kit list.

First, we have items you would need in case of wounds or cuts and scrapes: bandages, bandaids, and patches for covering up the injury. Antiseptic and cleaning solutions should also be taken note of to prevent infection.

The whole point of the first aid kit is to have temporary measures until proper medical care can be given, so items that would afford you time to get to a hospital would be a good choice.

Certain Survival items would also be helpful to have in your Kit. Scissors and tweezers are common, but those made of good-quality materials would be much better, something sturdy like metal or stainless steel. Blankets, flashlights, and a compass would also be good to have on hand, and a whistle is something you should never be without.

The last thing to consider is to have a suitable container for your Kit. Waterproof is recommended, though water-resistant may do the trick. It’s also a good idea to have a durable container to preserve your first aid supplies well.

Is It Cheaper To Make Your Own First Aid Kit

Perhaps. However, if you look at the contents of a first aid kit, some very specific or specialized items are included. While it may be cheaper to assemble your own, it may not be practical due to how difficult and time-consuming it could be.

It may be better to supplement a good Marine First Aid Kit with other items; then, you would be prepared for an even wider range of emergencies.

Conclusion

It certainly takes time, but investing in your safety and sense of security is never for naught. With that, we have covered the most important things to consider when shopping for the best marine first aid kit. Besides, you can prepare satellite phone for marine use and marine watches to call the marine lifeguard in case of an emergency.

Now, you can spend the time you saved by planning your next boating trip in more detail and with more security. All that is left is to make sure to plan the specifics of your trip and enjoy to your heart’s content. Bon voyage!

James Harvey

“I am James Harvey – founder of Boating Basics Online. It is established with the drive to help out first-time boaters, which are those desiring to explore their way through the water. So if you are new to boating, start from here with me. “