Safety should be your first priority when it comes to sailing. You need the right equipment to ensure a smooth ride for your passengers. No matter where you plan to head, it’s important to have a safety kit, a life raft and other essential gear. A safety kit is essential to your preparedness in an emergency.
From seasickness to stings, here are a few essential components important for passenger safety:
- First Aid Kit: Falls, headaches, and slips happen on a boat, too, so be prepared!
- Jellyfish Sting Relief: If you plan to take a dip or slide into the ocean, keep hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion with you for pain relief.
- Seasickness Tablets: Even strong men cannot take the dips and sways of boating. So, have this in the first-aid kit to avoid a vomit fest.
- Rehydration Salts: Dehydration is quite common in the sea, so ensure you have a massive stock of water bottles.
- Sunscreen: You will experience the most severe sunburn exposed to direct sunlight, so better protect your skin.
Safety Gear
Remember that your safety gear should be according to the number of onboard passengers. The following equipment should be in your emergency kit
- Batteries
- Small tool kit
- Fire extinguishers
- Change of clothes
- Portable fuel tanks
- Waterproof matches
- Additional water and food
- A shape knife sharp to cut the rope
- Manual bailing device or bilge pump
- Weather gear, such as a warm jacket, raincoats or ponchos, sunscreen and a hat
First Aid Kit
You should be prepared in case of a health emergency onboard. While nausea is common when you are boating, anything more serious can be very painful for the patient. Having a first aid kit will allow you to deal with the problem temporarily until you reach the shore and get professional help.
Here’s what your first aid kit should have:
- Gloves
- Scissors
- Tweezers
- Antiseptic
- Sunscreen
- Sterile wipes
- Pain relievers
- Adhesive tape
- Anti-histamines
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Emergency blankets
- Antibiotic ointments
- Anti-nausea medication
- Spare prescription medications
- Bandages, waterproof Band-Aids, and gauze
Flashlight With Extra Batteries
Flashlights are a must to have on board, even when you are traveling during daylight. Let’s say you run out of fuel and get stranded on the water. When night falls, you can use the flashlight to send signals. It allows you to alert people and call for help. Don’t forget to buy extra batteries because they are lifesavers.
Buy solar-powered or rechargeable batteries instead of disposable ones to save money. Check the flashlight at home before adding it to your emergency kit.
Non-Perishable Food and Water
Instead of raiding your pantry, always shop for food when going sailing. Buy non-perishable food and lots of snacks for storage. The sea is unpredictable. Your plan might be to have a day out, but it can easily turn to three or more if a storm hits. At a time like this, when survival is on your mind, you don’t need to be worrying about food.
Radio Devices
Having a communication device allows you to contact your family and friends when you are stuck in a situation. You can either use a handheld device or install one in your boat. Memorize the channel you need to communicate through so that you don’t panic in the end.
If using a handheld device, stock up on batteries. For a radio device, check it regularly to make sure the connection is still working.
Shock Blanket
If one of your passengers accidentally falls overboard, hypothermia is a risk. Having a shock blanket allows you to control the passenger’s temperature. This blanket is different from the ones you have at home. It functions as an insulator and provides heat. Medics also use it to comfort victims when they are in shock after an accident.
We are not done with the safety gear you need to have onboard. Stay tuned for Part 2 of this blog post.
Visit the EZ Dock Texas website and browse their products section for floating docks and dock accessories. For more information, call (800) 654-8168.
