Essential Medical Supplies for Divers:
First Aid Kits & DAN Recommendations
Why Divers Need a Well-Stocked First Aid Kit
A properly equipped first aid kit is essential for divers, whether you're shore diving, on a boat, or traveling internationally. While minor injuries like cuts and scrapes are common, a well-prepared kit should also include supplies for more serious incidents, such as marine life stings, barotrauma, or decompression sickness (DCS).
The Divers Alert Network (DAN) provides guidelines on what to include in a diver-specific first aid kit. Below, we’ll break down key recommendations and optional items based on different diving scenarios.
My Personal Approach to Dive First Aid
Since I do a lot of local shore diving, I take a layered approach to emergency preparedness:
- Full Emergency Kit in My Truck – Everyone should have an emergency kit in their vehicle, and it happens to work for scuba too. This includes a full trauma kit, burn care, and extra medical supplies so I have everything I need nearby.
- Basic First Aid in My Dive Kit – I don’t want to walk back to my truck for minor scrapes, so I keep a small kit in my dive bag with just the essentials: bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, and blister protection.
- Emergency O2 & AED – Most shore diving locations I visit don’t have dedicated scuba emergency facilities. Because of that, I invested in my own emergency oxygen kit and AED. Not something everyone needs, but if you can afford it, it’s absolutely worth having.
DAN's Recommended First Aid Kit for Divers
DAN suggests a three-tiered approach to first aid kits:
- Basic Kit (for all divers)
- Comprehensive Kit (for remote diving)
- Oxygen Kit (for dive emergencies)
1. Basic First Aid Kit (Every Diver Should Carry)
This kit covers minor injuries and common diving-related issues:
| Category | Items |
|---|---|
| Wound Care | Adhesive bandages (various sizes), antiseptic wipes, butterfly closures, medical tape, sterile gauze pads, liquid bandage |
| Blister & Chafing | Moleskin, hydrocolloid bandages (for blisters), anti-chafing ointment |
| Pain & Inflammation | Ibuprofen (Advil), Acetaminophen (Tylenol), aspirin (for suspected heart issues) |
| Allergic Reactions | Antihistamines (Benadryl), EpiPen (if needed) |
| Marine Life Stings | Vinegar (for jellyfish stings), Sting Relief wipes, hydrocortisone cream |
| Sun Protection | Reef-safe sunscreen, SPF lip balm |
| Hydration & Electrolytes | Oral rehydration salts (ORS), electrolyte packets |
| Gloves & Tools | Nitrile gloves, trauma shears, tweezers (for splinters/stings) |
| CPR & Basic Trauma | Pocket mask (for rescue breathing), Israeli bandage (pressure dressing) |
2. Comprehensive Kit
For diving in remote areas where medical care is delayed, you’ll need additional supplies:
| Category | Additional Items |
|---|---|
| Advanced Wound Care | Suture strips, liquid bandage, burn gel |
| Deep Cuts & Bleeding | Hemostatic dressing (like QuikClot), extra-large gauze pads, tourniquet |
| Infections | Triple antibiotic ointment, antiseptic solution (Betadine), prescription antibiotics (if advised by a doctor) |
| Motion Sickness | Meclizine (Bonine), Scopolamine patch (Rx) |
| Serious Marine Life Injuries | Heat packs (for venomous stings), compression wrap |
| Splinting & Immobilization | SAM splint, elastic bandages |
| Eye & Ear Care | Artificial tears, alcohol ear drops (for swimmer’s ear prevention) |
| Medical Documentation | Waterproof notepad, DAN emergency contact card |
3. Oxygen Kit (For Dive Emergencies)
Every dive boat and remote dive site should have an emergency oxygen kit to treat suspected decompression sickness (DCS) or lung overexpansion injuries.
| Essential Oxygen Supplies |
|---|
| DAN Oxygen Unit or portable O2 kit |
| Non-rebreather mask |
| Demand valve (for conscious divers) |
| Bag valve mask (for unconscious divers) |
| Spare O2 cylinder and regulator |
Note: If you are a dive professional or frequently lead dives, DAN’s Oxygen First Aid for Scuba Diving Injuries course is highly recommended.
How to Customize Your First Aid Kit
Your first aid kit should be tailored based on:
- Diving Environment – Warm vs. cold water, remote locations, marine life risks
- Personal Needs – Prescription medications, known allergies, medical conditions
- Travel Considerations – Airline restrictions (e.g., liquid limitations, TSA-approved medications)
If you frequently dive in cold water, consider adding:
- Chemical hand warmers (for rewarming fingers)
- Extra dry gloves or insulating layers
If you travel internationally, consider:
- Traveler’s diarrhea meds (Imodium, Cipro if prescribed)
- Sterile syringes (if concerned about local medical care standards)
Where to Store Your First Aid Kit
- Personal Kit: Waterproof dry bag in your dive gear bag
- Larger Kit (for groups/trips): Hard plastic or Pelican-style case
Supporting DAN: Buy a Pre-Made Kit
One great way to support DAN is to buy one of their pre-made emergency kits. Yes, they cost a little more than building one yourself, but not by much—and the proceeds help fund DAN’s research, safety initiatives, and diver support programs. If you’re looking for a ready-to-go solution while also contributing to a great cause, DAN kits are an excellent option.
Check out DAN’s available kits here: DAN Emergency Kits.
Even If You Don’t Own Emergency Gear, Get Trained
Not everyone can afford to buy their own oxygen kit or AED, and that’s fine. But if you’re a diver, you should at least know how to use them. Taking a few hours to get trained could make the difference in an emergency—whether for yourself, a buddy, or another diver at your site.
DAN offers first aid and emergency response courses designed specifically for divers, including:
- Emergency Oxygen for Scuba Diving Injuries – Learn how to administer oxygen to a diver with suspected DCS or lung overexpansion injuries.
- CPR & AED Training – Critical skills for responding to cardiac emergencies, whether dive-related or not.
- Hazardous Marine Life Injuries – Covers treatment for stings, envenomations, and bites.
If you don’t own an O2 kit, knowing how to use one could still save a life—most dive boats and dive shops have emergency oxygen available, but someone has to know how to deploy it properly.
For Divers in the Chicagoland Area
If you’re local to Chicagoland, I highly recommend Richard Tessell for DAN first aid training. He’s an experienced instructor who teaches oxygen administration, CPR, AED use, and emergency response specific to divers. If you want high-quality training that goes beyond just ticking a certification box, he’s the one to go to.
For more information on DAN’s safety recommendations, visit Divers Alert Network.
Final Thoughts
Carrying a properly stocked first aid kit is an easy way to prevent minor issues from becoming trip-ending problems. Whether it’s a small cut, a jellyfish sting, or a serious diving emergency, having the right supplies can make all the difference.
And even if you don’t want to invest in emergency gear yourself, invest in the training—because in a real emergency, the best tool is knowledge.