First aid kit for Bonaire

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Maine Diver

Contributor
Messages
197
Reaction score
12
Location
Central MA
# of dives
200 - 499
17 more days and we hit the island! What do you experienced Bonaire travelers bring in your first aid kits?

Thanks
 
17 more days and we hit the island! What do you experienced Bonaire travelers bring in your first aid kits?

Thanks

Nothing different than I would normally take. A few meds just in case, band-aids, etc. Really the usual stuff you'd take going anywhere. And if you do forget something you can probably find it at one of the supermarkets.
 
Hydrocortisone and Advil.
 
Nothing different than I would normally take. A few meds just in case, band-aids, etc. Really the usual stuff you'd take going anywhere. And if you do forget something you can probably find it at one of the supermarkets.

Pretty much the same, I have a small box that stays in my suitcase for pretty much any travel. It's not likely you will find much in the medicine line at the supermarkets, you will need to go to the pharmacy down town, they have pretty much anything you need but unlike here, it will be behind the counter. They have it, you just have to go to the back and talk with the pharmacist.
 
Something to ease itching if you happen to get bit by the skeeters. Normally, if you spray your lower legs in the evenings, you won't even notice the little buggers exist.

I'd bring *chortle* a snakebite kit for the giant silver snakes. They are the only snakes on the island but man, they can swallow a man whole and their bites are deadly. (Please research this before changing travel plans. I didn't put the *chortle* in there for no reason.)

They supposedly have some fire coral there but the best medication for that is good buoyancy.

Possibly treatment for jellyfish stings if you are going to do any night diving. But honestly, we did several night dives and I was disappointed to not see a single jelly. Might have been the timing of our trip though.

Beyond that, just the usual stuff. You can get other specific items at various places on the island if you need them. I think Chat-n-Browse (right next to the Sand Dollar) has some first aid items if I remember correctly.
 
Sudafed, decongestants, anti-itch medicine, swimmer's ear drops, neosporin, bandaids, NiQuill. Not that I use all of these (ok, the anti-itch, swimmer's ear, and neosporin) but it's nice to have them handy in case you do need them. They do not sell these things OTC on Bonaire, and some things you cannot get (NyQuill). I believe you can now get Sudafed behind the counter if you ask the Pharmacist. But if you encounter a problem after hours, you are out of luck.

A good example is; on my last trip my dive buddy got a sinus headache after our last dive of the day. I happened to have some Afrin nasal spray which seemed to help a little. I have friends who live on island so called one to see if they had any Sudafed (I was out). They did...so, problem solved. Most locals stock up on the stuff when they are in the states or have friends bring it down for them so they have it in stock.

Not in the first aid kit but get one of those tire inflator gadgets that hooks up to your BC/tank. It's good if you get a flat out in the middle of no where...
 
Hydrogen peroxide to immediately wash out any coral scrapes followed by neosporin.. Additionally we used a fairly new product called "liquid band aid" which is sold at CVS in lieu of the neosporin.
What I like about the liquid band aid is that it protects even though you're in the water. A word to the wise, Never underestimate coral abrasions to the skin. They will inevitably become infected. Treat them with care & be diligent on keeping them clean.

I also use Neil Meds sinus rinse once a day which really helps equalizing.
And be sure to pick up some "diver drops" at the Botika in town & use prophylactically to prevent otitis externa (inflammation of the outer ear canal)..I'm also a big fan of Doc Pros ear plugs for diving.
We also use 1% hydrocortisone cream to treat any bites or itching areas.
And of course excedrin (sometimes the sun & cause headaches).
 
Hydrogen peroxide to immediately wash out any coral scrapes followed by neosporin.. Additionally we used a fairly new product called "liquid band aid" which is sold at CVS in lieu of the neosporin.
What I like about the liquid band aid is that it protects even though you're in the water. A word to the wise, Never underestimate coral abrasions to the skin. They will inevitably become infected. Treat them with care & be diligent on keeping them clean.

I also use Neil Meds sinus rinse once a day which really helps equalizing.
And be sure to pick up some "diver drops" at the Botika in town & use prophylactically to prevent otitis externa (inflammation of the outer ear canal)..I'm also a big fan of Doc Pros ear plugs for diving.
We also use 1% hydrocortisone cream to treat any bites or itching areas.
And of course excedrin (sometimes the sun & cause headaches).
 

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