When it’s time to start planning your next 30A vacation, you should consider preparing a beach first aid kit for your family. Bumps, scrapes, bruises, splinters, and bug bites are all part of everyday life. However, when traveling away from home, it is always a good idea to be prepared with first aid basics, especially during your beach vacation.
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Keep reading to explore a few important questions when building a first aid kit: beach edition. Then, check out a list of recommended items for your kit. Add the items that are right for you needs to an appropriate size container and be ready to go.
Family-Specific First Aid Needs
Each family’s first aid kit for their beach trip will be slightly different based on specific needs. You can purchase a basic kit from a pharmacy or big box store, which is good, but a customized kit is even better. You will want to consider the ages of each family member and any medical needs.
If traveling with children, you should stock up on colorful Band-Aids, which always make boo-boos a little better. Children’s strength OTC medication is also a great idea.
If someone in your group has a heart condition, you may want to pack emergency prescription meds or baby aspirin. Does anyone in your group seem to be the one who mosquitoes love to bite? Is anyone with allergies and needs an Epi-pen or Benadryl on hand? No one knows your family and travel companions like you do. Having a first aid kit built with their needs in mind will give you peace of mind.
Keep a list of medical needs, allergies, and medications (for each family member) in your first aid kit. In the event of an emergency, you will have this list on hand.
Tip: Add a squeezable apple sauce pouch to your kit to help young children swallow pills.
Beach-Specific First Aid Items
Continue to add to this list of specific items you will want in your first aid kit for the beach. Remember, there is a lot of sunshine, heat, wooden boardwalks, biting insects (it’s Florida!), stinging marine life, and unseen objects that can be buried in the sand.
- Sunscreen
- After-sun lotion or aloe gel
- Burn cream
- Anti-itch ointment (hydrocortisone)
- After-bite ointment
- Hydration powder packets (to be added to water)
- Instant ice packs
- Tweezers
- Eye watch or Saline (for watching out eyes or cuts)
- Bug repellent
- Bandana or cooling cloth
- Bottle of water
Basic First Aid Items
- Various size bandages
- Liquid bandage
- Alcohol/alcohol wipes
- Peroxide
- Anti-bacterial ointment/spray
- Gauze pads
- Gauze rolls
- Medical tape
- Elastic bandage
- Pain reliever/fever reducer (Tylenol/Advil)
- Aspirin
- Antacids (Tums)
- Anti-nausea/upset stomach medication (Pepto Bismol)
- Antihistamine (Benadryl)
- Sling triangle
- Latex-free gloves
- Scissors
- Hand sanitizer
- Safety pins
- Masks
- Allergy list with name/age/DOB
- Medical needs list with name/age/DOB
- Medication list with name/age/DOB/dosage
- Life-saving medications if needed (Epi-pen, rescue inhaler, etc.)
Beyond the Basics
- CPR mask/face shield
- Pulse Oximeter
- Tourniquet
- Thermometer
- Emergency Blanket
Additional Items
Here are a few more items to consider adding to your first aid kit ahead of time. These items will be helpful in the event of a minor or major emergency. Keep in mind that when on vacation, you are generally not familiar with the area. Having emergency information for the location you are visiting will be helpful if you need it. Make list of the following and keep it in your first aid kit:
- Closest hospital with address
- Closest urgent care with address & phone number
- United States Emergency Phone Number: 911
- Address of your vacation rental
- Address/location of the beach access you are using
- Emergency contact list
Enjoy Your 30A Beach Vacation
We hope you do not have any reason to use your beach first aid kit during your visit. However, you will rest easy knowing that you are prepared. Another way that you can be prepared for vacation is to book one of our beautiful vacation rental condos at Adagio. Our stunning resort-style community offers 2 and 3-bedroom rentals along with extraordinary amenities such as two pools, a fitness center, easy beachfront access, and more!