First aid kits on a boat are some of your most important safety equipment. They are just as necessary as your PFD’s. I’ll cover some very important reasons why you should have at least three on any boat you own. I know it may seem like having more than one first-aid kit on board is overkill but I promise you it’s not. When it comes to safety equipment on board, you should always over-prepare and hope that they are never utilized.

Your lips are just as sensitive to the sun as the rest of your body so make sure you protect them from getting burnt. Sunburn on your lips can be annoying and painful. It can even develop into blisters and lead to skin cancer. Learn about products you can use to protect your mouth from the harmful rays and what you can do to treat them if a sunburn happens.

Prescription drugs can cost a small fortune in the U.S. and with the average American taking anywhere from 1-4 medications a day, that cost can really add up. One of the biggest factors on why someone stops taking their medication is price. Let’s look at a few programs and coupons available for many patients to use that can help bring down the cost of prescription medications, no matter what your insurance status is. Please don’t skip your meds…compliance to therapy is critically important in some cases and can negatively impact your quality of life if you go without.

Whatever you do, do not leave the dock without your medications! The to-do list before you set sail can be daunting but you should always make your health a top priority. Ensuring that you and your family have enough of your prescription medications while your cruising is crucial and in this article I’ll talk about the steps you need to take to make that happen.

Finding yourself spending too much time in the head after a meal out? Looks like you may have traveler’s diarrhea. It’s the most common travel-related illness that can befall even seasoned cruisers. Learn some things you can do to help prevent getting sick as well as a few things you can do once the bug has you in it’s grip!

Leaving to sail the world? Or maybe just for a season? Make sure to include a visit to your doctor on your list of things to do before you go. Your doctor can help keep you healthy and happily sailing no matter where your traveling to. Still unsure? Let’s go over some reasons why you schedule an appointment for a checkup no matter your age or current health status.

Let’s raise some awareness on ciguatera fish poisoning. Ciguatera is a toxin found in some reef fish and if you are the unlucky one who eats it you can become very ill. I talk about the common signs and symptoms of ciguatera poisoning and what you should do if you become sick. I also go over some common edible fish that can be carriers and ways to avoid getting sick if fish is still on your menu.

I’ve listed some great medical reference books to keep aboard when traveling away from home. You never know when someone is going to fall ill or injure themselves and it’s best to be as prepared as you can be. The internet is anything but reliable when traveling so having good resources on hand is very important.