Safety first. This phrase should be kept in mind at all times, especially when on the water. Whether at work or play, boats and boating-related activities expose those involved to risk. Injuries are more common on boats than on land, and quick treatment delivered with a first aid kit can make all the difference in an emergency.

The government recognises the importance of first aid kits. Though recent rulings have allowed more flexibility on what a kit must contain, the law still ensures that all kits include a variety of key items.

Remember that state and local health departments may have different requirements on how to stock medical cabinets with medication and supplies.

Australian Maritime Safety Authority Mandates

boat fishing first aid

In most cases, federal law requires commercial and recreational boats of certain sizes to carry a scale F first aid kit. The National Standard for Commercial Vessels says that “sufficient and appropriate medical supplies must be maintained to treat likely individual injuries until professional medical treatment becomes available.”

Although some factors, such as proximity to onshore medical services, can play a role, a scale F first aid kit a legal requirement in most cases.

If unsure, check with local authorities to make sure your first aid kit contains all of the items you require for your voyage.

Contents of a Scale F First Aid Kit

According to federal regulatory requirements, a scale F first aid kit must contain the following;

  • Five types of bandages
  • Six types of dressings, including two specifically for different kinds of wound care
  • Adhesive rolls
  • Elastic fabric strips
  • Waterproof surgical tape
  • Packet of two disposable towels
  • Gauze swabs
  • Sterile eye pad
  • Plastic bags for storage of amputated parts or soiled dressings and other bio hazardous materials
  • Large disposable gloves
  • Safety pins
  • Emergency thermal blanket
  • Instant ice pack
  • Disposable and pocket resuscitation mask
  • Sterile and disposable splinter probes
  • Shears
  • Splinter forceps
  • Disposable scalpel
  • Saline solution
  • A number of drugs, including ibuprofen, hydrocortisone, Paracetamol, and more

Commercial boats must also have at least one individual in the crew who has received certified training in medical treatment using the equipment and drugs in this kit.

Which Boats Must Use the Scale F Level Kit

The following types of vessels must to carry a scale F first aid kit under Australian federal law;

  • Class 1 C with unberthed passengers
  • Class 1 D with berthed passengers
  • Classes 2 C and 3 C are both required to carry appropriate and required medical equipment and supplies on board.

Federal law also stipulates that the amount of supplies in the first aid kit must correlate with certain variable factors.

Boats or ships travelling in a region with elevated risks must carry a better stocked first aid kit, with a bigger variety of supplies. The same is true for boats embarking on longer voyages, travelling a greater distance from medical facilities, or carrying a higher number of passengers and/or crew.

Should the medical emergency be more serious than the boat and its crew can handle, please radio for assistance, advice, and support.

Our First Aid Kits and Accessories

boat first aid kit

We offer a number of first aid kits and related accessories to help keep your passengers and crew safe during voyages. At Medibc.com, we only partner with reputable companies that stock their first aid kits with reliable and top quality items.

All pieces of medical equipment included, such as scalpels, shears, splints, and other implements undergo stringent performance testing to ensure durability in even the worst of emergencies.

Remember that many items within a first aid kit have shelf lives. Create a checklist of items along with their expiration dates. Make sure to replace expired materials immediately.

Also, make sure to supplement your first aid kits with the legally mandated medications.

We take the safety of you, your crew, and passengers as seriously as you do. For that reason, we strive to provide the best safety products available so that you can stay both safe and legally compliant.

These kits may or may not have all of the required equipment for a standard scale F first aid kit. Boat owners and captains must assume the responsibility of supplementing any purchased kit with the legally-required equipment, medication, and other related items.

The St. John Workplace Portable First Aid Kit serves as a workplace staple both on land and on the water. It contains the recommended range of equipment, supplies, and more that you need to ensure safety. Developed along lines suggested by the WHS Code of Practice, this kit serves as part of your vital safety tools on board.

Medibc.com also offers the Trafalgar National Workplace Wall Mount Metal Case and first aid kit. The Trafalgar wall mounted case and kit carries nearly forty different items to help you respond to a medical emergency quickly. It also complies with the suggested WHS Code of Practice suggestions on first aid kits for industrial settings.

Our Survival First Aid Kit is designed for emergency response in remote areas, whether on land or water. This comprehensive kit is assembled for recreational instead of industrial use, but still contains a number of the items required in the scale F kit.

Its portability, however, provides an advantage in responding to boating emergencies, allowing you to take the kit to where it is needed the most.

Reach Out Today to Learn More

Contact us today to learn more about commercial first aid kits as well as our entire line of emergency response and medical treatment products. Our staff will be happy to answer any questions about our products or regulations concerning their use. All you need to do is reach out to us.

You need to keep your crew and passengers safe on the water while also complying with federal law. Let Medibc.com serve as your one stop shop for maritime, industrial, recreational, and home first aid kits and accessories.

Don't forget that we offer free shipping on orders that total over $300.