When embarking on a diving experience, you’ll need to prepare everything properly. But if you’re unsure what to bring, don’t worry—we’ll guide you on what you shouldn’t miss in one of the most important items: the first aid kit!
Remember, don’t forget it on your trips!
It’s true that diving gear is bulky enough as it is without adding more "clutter." But it’s even truer that if you forget something, it’s bound to be the thing you need the most. Just think about the gear: forget your tank... and you’re surface swimming; leave the compass behind... visibility’s nearly gone; you wore a 5mm wetsuit... and hit a 14°C thermocline; packed your macro lens... and a sunfish appears. Scuba diving requires gear almost as specialised as a space mission.
So, carrying something as vital as a first aid kit with the bare essentials to "patch ourselves up" can be incredibly useful. Of course, it might seem unnecessary for diving near home at your regular centre (they should have a kit with oxygen therapy equipment). But it’s a different story if you’re diving independently from a boat or a remote coastal area with no medical services nearby. And it becomes absolutely essential for trips to tropical destinations or cruises in countries with limited healthcare infrastructure.
With it, we can treat most minor accidents that might occur, recover from minor ailments, or improve our condition to dive.
Like any activity in nature, there are factors you must be prepared for. Sun exposure, insect bites, small cuts or scrapes, seasickness, marine life stings, digestive issues, or nasal congestion—any of these could ground you.
The kit is only for relieving minor discomforts and never replaces professional medical diagnosis or treatment. But when specialised care isn’t immediately available, it can be a lifesaver.
Preparing the First Aid Kit
First and foremost, consult a medical professional. They’ll advise packing only the most practical items—those for treating common issues. Remember, this isn’t a mobile pharmacy, but including a first aid manual for reference is highly recommended.
The kit’s size should be compact for easy transport. Inside, include only essential medications and regularly check their expiry dates. Label each product’s purpose, dosage, and potential incompatibilities—and never discard the instructions.
Tailor the kit’s contents to your destination. Consider temperature, weather, local marine life, drinking water quality, and medical facility accessibility. Since it’ll be near seawater, store it in a waterproof case.
Components of a Diving First Aid Kit
Below is a list of key items to include. Don’t be overwhelmed—it’s better to be safe than sorry.
- Antiseptics. Disinfectants for wounds, cuts, or punctures: neutral soap, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, iodine...
- Gloves, sterile gauze, scissors, needles, tweezers (e.g., for sea urchin spines).
- Petroleum jelly for unremovable urchin spines.
- Bandages, cotton, plasters, and medical tape.
- Motion sickness tablets or gum.
- Sunburn relief (critical near the Equator).
- Anti-diarrhoeals. Drink sealed bottled water; avoid ice or tap-washed fruit.
- Painkillers. For toothaches, sprains, or headaches.
- Insect sting relief lotion.
- Ammonia and vinegar (for jellyfish/anemone stings).
- Corticosteroids and antihistamines for venomous fish (e.g., scorpionfish, lionfish, or stonefish in tropical seas).
- Broad-spectrum antibiotics for infections.
- Topical ear medications for moisture-related infections.
- Cold packs for injuries.
- A container to heat water (many marine venoms are heat-sensitive; immerse the area in tolerable hot water or ice).
- A vial of local anaesthetic (e.g., Scandicain 2%) and an insulin syringe (for severe stings—note: legally, only medical personnel can administer injections).
- Airway tubes (for CPR).
Be proactive and recall diving’s second law: "Whatever you forget, you’ll surely need." The first? "If it can break or get lost, it will."
