It’s time for me to get a first aid kit for my little C-Dory…but there are so many choices! Initially, I thought I wanted something in a hard, bulkhead-mountable case. I’m not really sure why I thought this was a good idea.

The more shopping I did, the more I came to appreciate the benefits of soft-sided cases. They’re easier to store, because they conform (a bit) to the space you have available. They float. They won’t rattle around as much in rough water. They’re less likely to damage an inflatable if tossed in with a bit of urgency. They’re less likely to smash a toe or bonk a head in the heat of the moment. OK, I get it!

As I did my research, I kept coming across one line in particular: Adventure Medical Kits. These folks have put a lot of thought into their product line, and their website provides a great deal of helpful information, including a complete manifest for every model. They offer some other safety products as well, but first aid kits are their primary focus.

These kits have been designed by Drs. Michael Jacobs and Eric A. Weiss, who have written a book designed to accompany all but the smallest of their marine kits: A Comprehensive Guide to Marine Medicine. This book itself would be good to keep aboard, even if you’ve already got a first aid kit. For most inshore and coastal cruisers, it covers virtually all of the medical situations you’re likely to encounter. Serious bluewater cruisers, of course, will want more comprehensive reference material aboard. But for many of us, this book and one of these well-designed kits will be all we ever need. Top it up at the end of each season, remove any items that have expired, add a few extra of whatever items you’ve used most frequently, and you should be good to go. I’ve got young children, so I’ll probably throw in a few dozen extra adhesive bandages before I even get it aboard the boat!