38 replies to this topic

[No Pressure]

There are lots of ways that we can hurt ourselves on a dive vacation. Brushing up against fire coral, petting a soapfish or scorpionfish, drinking the local water, drinking the local alcohol (a lot!), sunburn, cutting toes on hidden broken bottles in the sand on those midnight beach strolls with another singlediver, getting turned down at the bar.
What should we have with us, and what is readily available locally? What does our dive buddy have?
The travel medical kit can be small, that would fit in even Mischevious' dive bag, or it can be bigger (like mine, that can handle darn near an appendectomy). How about we come up with categories of injuries, then after the requisite side line antics about 12 volt batteries for flashlights and such, we will devise a medical travel kit for all. (don't pay the REI prices for the wilderness medical kits)

Edited by No Pressure, 15 April 2004 - 11:27 PM.

[Diverbrian]

Categories:

Cuts: Handcuffs too tight, sharks, dive buddy cutting you (see last cause), etc.
Keep in mind that the skin will be softer due to immersion in water.

Blunt trauma (possibly concussion): Slip and fall on dive boat, get hit in head with chain, pinch fingers in ladder, weight belt or tank falls on foot, make Mischievous angry.... again everybody gets the idea.

Animal stings: Scorpion fish, bee on shore (if allergic reaction), etc...

Medical conditions: Diabetic reactions, seizures of unknown cause, etc...

Usual muscle pulls: (things too rough the night before?), lifting doubles once too often, carrying two ladies' tanks at the same time to impress them....

near Drowning, DCS, Ox Tox: I am out of cute comments on these. These are just plain unwanted.

Hypo/hyperthermia...

[DandyDon]

Are you asking about my Hypocondriac bags? I carry two when traveling - one in my Flight-Purse (small backpack that stays with me when traveling - never gatechecked on small planes like my Carry-On), and a Clear-Backpack onto boats:

Venigar - for jellyfish stings, etc.

Alcohol - to disinfect wounds.

Calamine - follow-up on stings.

Antiseptic ointment.

Hydrocortisone cream.

Asprin - multi-purpose.

Iduprofin - for friends who don't do aspirin.

Sufadfed - My allergies, follow-up on stings.

Antihistimine - Motion sickness.

Laxatives - traveler's irregularity.

Mouth-to-mouth mask, with option for O2 hose in.

Viagra - just in case.

Listermint - to disinfect mouthpiecs after rinsing in communal tank

And I think more; have to look in my kits and see...?

[Walter]

Viagra - just in case.

I love it! LOL! Ready to join the club?

[jextract]

Viagra - just in case.

I love it! LOL! Ready to join the club?

Could it be "just in case" he needs a rudder during his swim? I'd hate to think he'd be using it as an anchor line.....

[Laura]

Viagra - just in case.

I love it! LOL! Ready to join the club?

Could it be "just in case" he needs a rudder during his swim? I'd hate to think he'd be using it as an anchor line.....

How about we add "condoms"....in case the Viagra DOES work?!?!?

My little brother used to say this little poem....

If you're gonna get laid...
You better use protection.
You can't detect aids
By visual inspection!

Safe "diving" to all
Laura

[Laura]

Before adding dive-specific stuff...
I am assuming we are starting with the basic first aid items: guaze, tape, bandaid's, tweezers, some sort of antiseptic, etc.

Then add the stuff already mentioned.
Plus...
Immodium (in case Montezuma pays a visit)
Gatoraid (hangover cure...learned that in college)
Extra set of handcuff keys


Laura

[mischievous]

hydrocordone and extra sunscreen...viagra...hmmm not really with all the evil talk about mischievous getting angry.
wow! handcuffs and a rough night, wow diverbrian...i never would have thought you of all peeps.

[WreckWench]

Viagra - just in case.

I love it! LOL! Ready to join the club?

Could it be "just in case" he needs a rudder during his swim? I'd hate to think he'd be using it as an anchor line.....

Oh my gosh...I can see it now...Dandy Don is the new back up 'ascent' line from the wreck to the boat when we dive NC....if you can't find the anchor line...you can always find...Dandy Don....

Hmmm....gives new meaning to the word "Dandy"....

-ww

[Diverlady]

Speaking from experience, a good "hazardous marine life" quick reference guide would be useful. (There was a doctor on my last trip but he wasn't much help. )

I think I touched a sponge with my wrist and ended up with a funky infection cruising up my arm.

I'll just travel with everyone here. Y'all seem to have most of it covered.

Oh, Diverbrian, you forgot some kind of salve for the whip marks!!

Diverlady

[mischievous]

yeah, i agree. i don't need anything when i'm traveling with this bunch. btw, will you be whipping us when we get out of line DL? my my...what an awesome moderator you are. i love people that take their job seriously!

[Diverlady]

yeah, i agree. i don't need anything when i'm traveling with this bunch. btw, will you be whipping us when we get out of line DL? my my...what an awesome moderator you are. i love people that take their job seriously!

No I'll leave the whipping to Coppermaus. I'm the Chains!

Diverlady

[sea nmf]

I just use the D.A.N. small kit when traveling. I have a large one in my car. However, I use hydrogen peroxide instead of alchol for disinfecting. I might add vinegar, tho.

[Coo's Toe]

I know my perspective is kind of cold-northern-diver-esque, so bear with me here.

In those situations where you have an incapacitated diver, where it might be best to get them laid out and and try to warm them up for whatever reason ( hypothermia, or a CPR situation where you've had to remove their exposure suit ), hows this for an idea? Have you seen those space blankets that backwoods hikers use? They'd be a great item to have in a kit. They fold up incredibly small, so they won't hog room in the tackle box. They use tin foil to reflect body heat back, and they'd work well on boats and beaches because they're waterproof.

I just picked one up for my save-a-life kit. Might be something to think about.

[WreckWench]

I just use the D.A.N. small kit when traveling. I have a large one in my car. However, I use hydrogen peroxide instead of alchol for disinfecting. I might add vinegar, tho.

Thats what I use. But I think I'm going to add a few of the other serious items that have been mentioned too.