Gary,

There are whole books about medical care while at sea (which I haven't
read - only "articles") - so it's a big topic, and there aren't any "right"
answers. I've put together a kit for myself with lots of bandages, gauze
rolls, tensor, antiseptic soap and ointment, acetaminophen, antihistamine
.... and rarely used any of it. One boating guest of mine did break her
leg(!), and I applied a tensor bandage whilst transporting her back to land.
I don't think it affected her prognosis! (She did well.)

What could kill you quickly? A bad allergic reaction would require
adrenaline, and probably more of us should carry a kit for adrenaline
injection. They outdate and have to be maintained, so you know how that
would go for most of us...

Also, a concept which is gaining in popularity is that of automatic
defribillators. Expensive, but I suspect they will become more commonplace,
like anti-lock brakes and airbags in cars. If your heart sputters out on the
water, then you ain't making it without a defibrillator right there. (I
don't have one, and know no boater who carries one.)

You can get to the stage where you carry a small ICU with you and have taken
courses about medical emergencies at sea. There was some physician in the
U.S. who went around giving lectures for boaters on the topic. Long distance
boaters, for example, often need to know a little dentistry.

Where to draw the line is a matter of some debate.

====

Charles T. Low
- remove "UN"
www.boatdocking.com/BDPhoto.html - Photo Contest
www.boatdocking.com
www.ctlow.ca/Trojan26 - my boat

====

"Gary Warner" wrote in message
...
This is a 22' runabout. Regular use would be on lakes, at antique boat
shows, cruising up or down the Hudson river or in Boston Harbor fairly
near
the islands or main-land. Possibly I might be further out in the harbor
on
occasion. Could also sleep for a night on an island while moored nearby.
~~
So just basics for daily stuff and, as Claims pointed out, the emergency
first-use stuff for a more "catistrophic" event. For anything really
serious I'd 99% chance be in Cell-Phone or VHF range and proximity to
land,
coast-guard, other boats, etc.

Any more thoughts or suggestions are welcome.