Marine First Aid Kit Buying Guide: Size, Contents and Waterproof Cases
Quick answer: Choose a first aid kit by how far you go from help and how many people you carry. A compact kit with 40 to 75 pieces covers a day boat working close to shore, a mid-size kit with 150 or more pieces suits family cruising and nearshore fishing, and offshore boats need a larger kit with more wound dressings, a burn module, medications and room to add trauma gear. The case must be waterproof or sealed, because a soaked kit is useless.
On land, an ambulance is usually minutes away. On the water, help can be an hour or more away, and you may be treating a hook in a hand, a slip on wet deck, a burn from the engine or a bad case of seasickness while still underway. A good marine first aid kit is built for that gap: the right supplies, packed so they stay dry, stowed where anyone aboard can find them. This guide walks through sizing, contents, cases and upkeep.
Step 1: Size the kit to your range and crew
| Type of boating | Typical kit size | What to prioritize |
|---|---|---|
| Day trips within sight of shore, 1 to 4 people | Compact, 40 to 75 pieces | Bandages, antiseptic, gauze, tape, pain relief |
| Family cruising, inshore and nearshore fishing | Mid-size, 100 to 175 pieces | More dressings, burn care, eye wash, cold pack |
| Offshore, overnight, 1 hour or more from help | Large, 175 or more pieces, modular | Trauma dressings, medications, sprain and limb care, room for add-ons |
Size up if you regularly carry kids, guests or charter parties. Quantity matters as much as variety: a single gauze pad will not control a serious cut.
Step 2: Choose a case that keeps contents dry
- Hard gasketed cases survive being stepped on and stay sealed in spray. Best for open boats and center consoles.
- Soft PVC-coated nylon bags pack into tight spaces and often have room to add your own supplies. Keep them inside a dry locker.
- Look for a case that can be mounted to a bulkhead, and label the location so guests can find it.
Step 3: Check for marine-specific contents
Beyond standard bandages, a boat kit should cover the injuries that actually happen on the water:
- Cuts and punctures: assorted adhesive strips, gauze pads and rolls, wound closure strips, and antiseptic wipes.
- Fish hooks and fins: tweezers or forceps, trauma shears, and antiseptic.
- Burns: burn gel or dressings for engine, exhaust and galley burns.
- Sprains and falls: elastic wrap, cold pack, and a splint for longer trips.
- Eyes: sterile eyewash for salt spray, sunscreen or bait.
- Medications: pain relievers, antihistamines, and seasickness remedies.
- Sun and heat: sunscreen and aloe, plus extra drinking water aboard.
- Exposure: an emergency blanket for hypothermia after a fall overboard.
Step 4: Add the extras for offshore trips
If you run offshore, add a pressure dressing or trauma bandage, a tourniquet you have trained with, a SAM-style splint, a CPR face shield, nitrile gloves, and any personal medications your crew needs. Take a first aid and CPR course. Supplies help most in the hands of someone who knows how to use them. For serious emergencies, know how to make a distress call on your VHF radio, which reaches the Coast Guard and nearby boats at once and is far more reliable offshore than a cell phone.
Step 5: Inspect and restock every season
- Restock immediately after any use, even a single bandage.
- Check expiration dates on medications, ointments and eyewash at least once a year.
- Look for moisture inside the case. Damp sterile dressings are no longer sterile.
- Replace anything that has melted, cracked or rusted in a hot console.
Common first aid kit mistakes
- Keeping the car kit on the boat. It is usually too small and not sealed.
- Stowing it in the deepest locker where nobody can reach it fast.
- Never restocking, so the box is half empty when you need it.
- Forgetting seasickness remedies, which work best taken before symptoms start.
- No plan for calling help. A kit buys time but does not replace a rescue.
Our picks by type of boating
All in stock at Boat Supplies Direct.
Day boats and personal watercraft
Orion Daytripper First Aid Kit: a 40-item kit in a waterproof zip pouch that mounts to a bulkhead or rides on your belt.
Small boats and family outings
Orion Fish N Ski First Aid Kit: a compact hard case with a gasketed, dual locking lid that fits small storage spaces.
Offshore fishing
Orion Offshore Sportfisherman First Aid Kit: 165 pieces including wound dressings, a burn module, CPR module, cold pack and eyewash in a mountable waterproof case.
Bluewater and extended trips
Orion Blue Water First Aid Kit: modular general, wound, limb, eye and medication sections with room to add your own trauma gear.
Add-ons
Orion Emergency Blanket for warming someone after a fall overboard, and the Orion Safety Whistle 2-Pack to keep with the kit.
Shop all marine first aid kits →
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Frequently Asked Questions
What should be in a marine first aid kit?
Adhesive bandages, gauze and dressings, antiseptic, tape, tweezers, burn care, eyewash, a cold pack, pain relievers, seasickness remedies and an emergency blanket, scaled up with trauma supplies for offshore use.
Is a first aid kit required on a boat?
The Coast Guard does not require a first aid kit on most recreational boats, but commercial and charter operations often have their own rules. Every boat should carry one regardless.
Do I need a waterproof first aid kit on a boat?
Yes. Spray, rain and bilge water ruin sterile dressings and medications, so the case should be gasketed, sealed or kept inside a dry locker.
How big a first aid kit do I need for offshore fishing?
Plan on 150 pieces or more with multiple wound dressings, a burn module and medications, plus trauma gear you add yourself. The farther from help, the larger the kit.
How often should I replace my boat first aid kit?
Restock after every use and check expiration dates every season. Replace the whole kit if the case leaks or the contents have been exposed to water or heat damage.
Where should I keep a first aid kit on a boat?
In a dry, easy-to-reach spot near the helm or cabin entrance, clearly labeled, so any guest can grab it without searching.
This guide is general information, not medical advice. Get first aid and CPR training, follow the kit manufacturer's instructions, check medication labels, and call for professional help on VHF channel 16 or 911 in any serious emergency.
