Essential Medical Supplies for Divers:
First Aid Kits & DAN Recommendations
Every dive plan should include medical readiness. This guide explains what to carry in a personal first aid kit, how to scale up for remote sites, and where oxygen fits into dive emergencies. It draws on DAN guidance and practical field use so you can tailor a kit to your diving.
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 will 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 relatively nearby.
- Basic First Aid in My Dive Kit: I do not 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 do not 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 is 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 or 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 will 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 |
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 (for example, liquid limits, 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 or tupperware style box in your dive gear bag
- Larger Kit (for groups or trips): Hard plastic or Pelican style case
Supporting DAN: Pre-Made Kits
One way to support DAN is to purchase one of their pre made emergency kits. They often cost a little more than building one yourself, and the proceeds help fund DAN's research, safety initiatives, and diver support programs. If you want a ready to go solution while also contributing to a useful cause, DAN kits are a solid option.
See DAN's kits: DAN Emergency Kits.
Even If You Do Not Own Emergency Gear, Get Trained
Not everyone can afford an oxygen kit or AED, and that is fine. But if you are a diver, you should at least know how to use them. Taking a few hours to get trained could make a difference in an emergency for you, a buddy, or another diver at your site.
DAN offers first aid and emergency response courses designed for divers, including:
- Emergency Oxygen for Scuba Diving Injuries - 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 - Treatment for stings, envenomations, and bites.
For Divers in the Chicagoland Area
If you are local to Chicagoland, I recommend Richard Tessell for DAN first aid training. He is 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 is a strong choice.