A day on the water with your Sea-Doo can turn from perfect to problematic in seconds. Cuts from dock lines, jellyfish stings, or a passenger's unexpected fall, these situations demand immediate response. Having a properly stocked red cross first aid kit on board isn't just smart; it's essential for every Sea-Doo owner who takes safety as seriously as performance.
The American Red Cross has spent over a century refining emergency response protocols, and their recommendations for first aid supplies reflect real-world scenarios boaters face regularly. Whether you're riding your PWC solo or hosting a crew on your Sea-Doo Switch, the right medical supplies can mean the difference between a minor inconvenience and a trip to the emergency room. Coast Guard regulations also require certain safety equipment on watercraft, and a well-prepared first aid kit checks that compliance box while protecting everyone aboard.
This checklist breaks down the five categories of Red Cross-recommended first aid essentials specifically adapted for boating conditions. You'll learn exactly what supplies to prioritize, why each item matters on the water, and how to build a kit that fits your vessel's storage constraints. At Sea-Doo Outlet, we believe protecting your watercraft and protecting your crew go hand in hand, so let's make sure you're prepared for whatever your next ride brings.
1. Waterproof kit container and clear labeling
Your first aid supplies serve no purpose if they're soaked through with lake water or floating away after a rough wake. The container you choose determines whether your red cross first aid kit remains functional when someone needs it most. Standard household first aid boxes fail spectacularly on boats because they're not built for constant humidity, spray, and the occasional submersion. You need a container specifically designed to seal out water while remaining accessible during high-stress moments when every second counts.
Choose a case that stays dry and floats
A proper marine first aid container must meet three requirements: waterproof seals, buoyancy, and impact resistance. Hard-shell cases with rubber gaskets and latch closures outperform soft bags because they protect supplies from crushing during storage and prevent moisture infiltration. Look for cases rated IP67 or higher (meaning they can withstand temporary submersion up to one meter). Bright colors like orange, yellow, or red make your kit visible if it goes overboard, and built-in buoyancy ensures it stays on the surface rather than sinking to the bottom.
Label your kit for fast access
Slapping a large red cross on the exterior tells everyone aboard exactly what's inside without opening it. Use waterproof vinyl labels or permanent markers designed for marine environments, as standard paper labels peel off within weeks of sun exposure. Write "FIRST AID" in letters at least two inches tall on multiple sides of the case. If you store the kit in a compartment, mark that compartment door with matching symbols so guests can locate supplies without asking.
"Visibility saves lives when panic sets in and clear labeling eliminates the search time that makes injuries worse."
Add an on-water emergency card
Print a laminated reference card listing emergency contacts, your vessel registration, and basic treatment steps for common boating injuries. Include the nearest marina's phone number and coordinates, plus any crew member allergies or medical conditions. Tape this card inside the lid so it's the first thing you see when opening the kit. Update it seasonally as phone numbers change or you visit new waterways.
Check and restock on a schedule
Set a recurring calendar reminder every three months to inspect your kit's contents. Check expiration dates on ointments, replace items used during previous trips, and verify seals remain intact. Spring preparation matters most since supplies degrade faster during winter storage in cold garages or boat sheds. Write your last inspection date on the exterior with a dry-erase marker so you know when the next check is due.
2. Bandages, gauze, and wraps for cuts
Lacerations and abrasions happen constantly on watercraft. Sharp propellers, slippery decks, dock cleats, and fishing hooks create dozens of cutting hazards during every trip. Your red cross first aid kit needs the right variety of bandages and dressings to handle everything from minor scrapes to deep gashes that require pressure until you reach shore. Standard adhesive strips won't stay attached in wet conditions, and you need materials that work when both the wound and your hands are soaking wet.
Pack the Red Cross core wound supplies
Start with adhesive fabric bandages in multiple sizes, including fingertip and knuckle shapes that conform to awkward body parts. Add at least ten sterile gauze pads (3x3 and 4x4 inch sizes) for covering larger wounds. Include three rolls of self-adhering wrap that sticks to itself without clips or tape, plus medical tape designed for skin contact. Butterfly closures help hold wound edges together when stitches aren't available, and triangular bandages serve double duty for slings or securing large dressings.
Cover blisters, rope burn, and fin cuts fast
Mooring lines sliding through your palms create friction burns that blister within hours. Carry blister pads with cushioned centers that reduce pressure while protecting raw skin. Fin straps and throttle grips cause unique abrasions that need thin, flexible bandages rather than bulky dressings. Keep a supply of gel bandages specifically for these high-movement areas where standard adhesives fail.
"Treating small wounds immediately prevents infections that force you off the water for weeks."
Control bleeding before you move on
Apply direct pressure with gauze pads for at least three minutes before checking if bleeding stopped. Layer additional pads on top rather than removing blood-soaked ones. Wrap firmly with elastic bandages or cohesive wrap to maintain pressure. Elevation helps, but pressure matters most for stopping blood flow.
Keep everything sealed and salt-safe
Store each bandage type in separate resealable plastic bags inside your main container. Salt water corrodes adhesives and stiffens fabric, so double-bagging wound care supplies prevents premature degradation. Replace opened packages after each season even if you didn't use everything.
3. Antiseptics and ointments to prevent infection
Open wounds exposed to lake or ocean water invite bacterial infections that turn minor injuries into serious medical problems. Water harbors organisms like E. coli, Vibrio, and Staphylococcus that thrive in warm conditions and enter your bloodstream through cuts. Your red cross first aid kit needs infection prevention supplies designed to work in marine environments where traditional wound cleaning isn't always possible. The right antiseptics neutralize bacteria before they multiply, and proper application techniques matter as much as the products you carry.
Clean and disinfect with wipes and saline
Pack individually wrapped antiseptic wipes containing benzalkonium chloride or alcohol (at least 20 per kit). These clean debris from wounds when soap and fresh water aren't available. Add sterile saline solution in squeezable bottles for flushing sand, algae, or fish blood from deeper cuts. Rinse thoroughly before applying any ointment, as trapped particles under bandages accelerate infection development.
Use antibiotic ointment the right way
Apply a thin layer of triple antibiotic ointment (containing bacitracin, neomycin, and polymyxin B) after cleaning. Thick globs don't improve healing and waste limited supplies. Reapply every twelve hours or after bandage changes. Check for allergic reactions like increased redness or rash within the first hour.
"Proper antiseptic application reduces infection rates by over 40 percent in contaminated water injuries."
Handle rashes, bites, and sun irritation
Include hydrocortisone cream for allergic skin reactions and insect bites. Add burn gel specifically formulated for sun exposure rather than general purpose creams. Jellyfish stings respond better to vinegar solutions than to standard ointments.
Prevent cross-contamination in a small kit
Store opened ointment tubes in separate sealed bags to prevent leaking onto other supplies. Replace any product that touched an open wound directly. Use clean applicators or gloved fingers rather than contaminating entire tubes.
4. Gloves and CPR barrier for safer help
Providing medical assistance puts you in direct contact with blood, vomit, and other bodily fluids that transmit diseases like hepatitis and HIV. Your willingness to help someone injured on your Sea-Doo shouldn't expose you to health risks that last long after the emergency ends. Red Cross training emphasizes barrier protection as the first step in any first aid response, yet many boaters skip these items because they seem unnecessary until you actually need them. Including proper protective equipment in your red cross first aid kit protects both the person providing care and the injured party from cross-contamination.
Protect yourself with nonlatex gloves
Stock at least four pairs of disposable nitrile gloves in your kit. Nitrile resists tearing better than latex and eliminates allergic reactions that affect roughly 10 percent of the population. Choose gloves marked as examination grade rather than industrial versions, as medical-grade materials meet stricter contamination standards. Keep two pairs in sizes large and two in medium to accommodate different hand sizes among your crew.
Pack a CPR face shield or breathing barrier
Add a one-way valve CPR mask that prevents fluid exchange during rescue breathing. Pocket-sized face shields work for basic protection but full masks provide better seals around the mouth and nose. Store the barrier in its original sealed package inside a rigid case so it doesn't tear or puncture.
"Barrier devices increase bystander willingness to perform CPR by over 60 percent during boating emergencies."
Handle bodily fluids and vomit safely
Seasickness and head injuries produce vomit that requires cleanup without bare hand contact. Use gloves when helping someone lean over the rail and when wiping down surfaces afterward. Dispose of contaminated gloves in sealed bags rather than tossing them overboard.
Replace single-use items after any use
Mark used glove pairs and barriers for immediate replacement. Never reuse protective equipment even if it looks clean, as microscopic contamination remains. Restock within 24 hours of returning to shore so your kit stays ready for the next trip.
5. Tools, cold care, and emergency blanket
Medical instruments and temperature management supplies handle injuries that bandages alone can't fix. Splinters from dock wood, sprains from awkward landings, and hypothermia from extended water exposure require specialized tools and thermal protection that complete your red cross first aid kit. These items address the mechanical and environmental challenges unique to boating where access to professional care takes longer than on land.
Bring tweezers, scissors, and a thermometer
Pack stainless steel tweezers with pointed tips for removing splinters, fishing hooks, and debris embedded in skin. Add trauma shears that cut through wet clothing and rope without rust. Include a digital thermometer in a waterproof case to monitor for hypothermia (below 95°F) or heatstroke (above 103°F) during extended trips.
Add instant cold packs and elastic wraps
Stock at least three chemical cold packs that activate without refrigeration for treating sprains, strains, and impact injuries. Include two elastic compression wraps (3 and 4 inches wide) for stabilizing twisted ankles or swollen joints. Apply cold packs for 20 minutes at a time with cloth barriers to prevent skin damage.
"Immediate cold application reduces swelling by up to 50 percent and speeds recovery time significantly."
Include an emergency blanket for exposure risk
Carry a metallic space blanket that reflects body heat back to victims of cold water immersion. These compact sheets fold smaller than a deck of cards yet provide critical warmth during shock or weather delays.
Pack common boating meds and dosing notes
Add motion sickness tablets, pain relievers, and antihistamines in sealed blister packs. Tape dosing instructions inside your kit lid since wet labels become unreadable quickly.
Quick recap
Your red cross first aid kit protects everyone aboard your Sea-Doo when accidents happen miles from shore. The five essential categories covered here (waterproof containers, wound care supplies, infection prevention, barrier protection, and emergency tools) address the specific medical challenges you face on the water. Each component serves a distinct purpose that standard household kits overlook, from floating cases that survive submersion to antiseptics that work in contaminated water.
Building your kit takes less than an hour and costs far less than a single emergency room visit. Check your supplies before every season starts, replace expired items promptly, and verify your container's seals remain intact. Your crew depends on your preparation when injuries occur far from medical help.
Ready to upgrade your Sea-Doo's safety equipment? Browse our complete selection of marine safety gear at Sea-Doo Outlet and get everything you need with fast shipping. Your properly stocked first aid kit complements the protective covers and accessories that keep your watercraft in top condition all season long.