As a retired physician
(take that back.I quit!!!!)
Recently posted a question about moving to a trawler and members were very patient and helpful in their responses considering my question has being asked ad nauseam.
Here is may take on safety
I believe there is an important question,
where are we boating?
If Coastal/inland
If offshore
Will address only the Coastal/Inshore
By and large, we should be more likely within either cell phone or closest USCG.
Do not underestimate the USCG even in protected waters, years ago we have a serious fall, head trauma and bleeding, within 1/2 mile from home in the ICW, called the USCG, they were by my boat in minutes, and they coordinated transfer from their boat to the ambulance waiting ashore a few blocks from the local hospital, amazing.
Concentrate to call and secure help.
First aid to address the most likely events.
1)Broken bones
2)Lacerations
3)Sun burn
4)Burns secondary to cooking
5)Sea Sickness
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#1 Ideally try to immobilize the broken bone with a makeshift splinter using whatever stick and wrap it with some duct tape, the idea is to limit movement.
Need to seek immediate assistance, depending on the broken bone, pain can be severe with the risk of shock (either pain and or bleeding)
#2. Lacerations, the usual
stop the bleeding, depending on the extent (length and depth) of a simple band-aid to apply pressure, stop the bleeding.
NON STICK band-aids, most important, because I hurt myself frequently, learned the importance to make removal as less painful possible.
Do not forget to carry a gallon of Neosporing.
Remember to carry a bunch of self sticking bandages to keep the bandaids in place, (the brown kind)
Some lacerations will need stitching, most people do not have training, does include injecting anesthetic otherwise will need to read the old sailing tales, using a stick to bite and plenty of rum
And the use of stitching needles, well, not that easy.
Just purchased an Amazon
"8 Piece Disposable Skin Stapler Kit Suture Thread Alternative - 110 Wires, 2 Stapler Remover Tool + 4 Plastic Forceps for Outdoor Camping Emergency Survival Demo First Aid Field Emergency Vet Training" for $ 35.
Also bought in Walmart a few pouches of "stop bleeding aid) supposed to accelerate coagulation time, used in the military, cost very low, no harm to try.
#3 Make sure those blisters do not get infected.
#4 In my humble opinion the most dangerous place in the boat, when I have crew DO NOT let them cook, flying pans with boiling liquids and hot oil wow.
#5 obvious
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Items I pay attention
Lots of hand grabbing places. I can walk and step down to reach any part of my boat, including the head,
hand over hand.
Safety blankets to put out fires while cooking
Replacing open flames cooking with electric appliances.
And the piece of resistance
Purchased a Helmet
I look ridiculous, BUT for $19 cheap insurance.
few weeks ago I fell at night (at home) going to the bathroom, big concussion, lots of bleeding, consequences to be determined in the future.
Poor balance, the reason.
Replaced all marine fire extinguishers (few seconds life)by Lowes bigger size.
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The outlined is only for the most common areas we use.
For offshore and out of contact of a quick 911
defer to the well documented posts addressing that situation.
Trying to keep it simple and focussed on possible, more likely events.
The thought of defibrillators, injecting anti-anaphylactic medications or initiating an IV drip in the hands of non-trained hands scare me.
