Practical and economical professional advice
Issue 64 : Jan/Feb 2009
Having spent 35 years in the fire service, with more than half of that time as a Medical First Responder, when it came time to outfit our new boat, one of my first concerns was to equip it with a proper first-aid kit. I was discouraged after checking online and through various marine catalogs. The kits that were available ran the gamut in price and contents from not much more than a few Band-Aids, for an exorbitant price, to complete offshore kits costing hundreds of dollars. Moreover, only the most expensive ones were packaged in watertight containers. With this in mind, I decided to see if I could make up my own kit.
There is a product called Lock & Lock. This is a line of polyethylene containers with locking lids that incorporate a gasket to ensure a watertight seal.
They come in various sizes that are handy for storing cooking and eating utensils and other things. The one that suited me for this purpose was the biggest size, which holds 38 cups (9 1/2 quarts) and measures 11.5 inches by 9 inches by 7.4-inches deep. I bought mine at one of the local discount superstores, although this product may be purchased online. Just look on the Internet for Lock & Lock. The large size sells online for $13 plus shipping.
When I got mine home, I bought a couple of plastic divided boxes, cut them on my band saw, and sanded the edges to fit the bottom of the container, so I could pack the supplies neatly. This added $3. Finally, I bought a small amount of Scotch-Brite reflective tape from my local auto-supply store and used it to make a Red Cross symbol to stick on the top. As the accompanying picture shows, you can stow a lot in that size of container.
I figure the whole kit including the watertight box, trays, and tape, cost no more than $90. However, the peace of mind it brings is worth much more.
Ted Rensland retired in April 2007 after 35 years in the Grand Rapids, Michigan, fire department. He and his first mate, Michelle, sail a 1975 27-foot Hunter sloop, Dragonfly, out of Muskegon, Michigan.
Thank you to Sailrite Enterprises, Inc., for providing free access to back issues of Good Old Boat through intellectual property rights. Sailrite.com
