I’ve had enough scrapes, cold shocks and singed seaweed moments to know a compact, well-thought-out first-aid kit is worth its weight in rigs. On the shore, help can be a long time coming and conditions change fast: a small cut can turn nasty in saltwater, and hypothermia can start before you’ve realised you’re in trouble. Below I’ll share the minimal kit I carry on every session, why each item matters, and the practical steps I use to treat common coastal injuries — from cuts and hook punctures to hypothermia and jellyfish stings.

Why “minimal” matters

Space and weight are always at a premium when I’m chasing bass around rocky headlands or walking miles of shingle. Minimal doesn’t mean skimpy — it means deliberate. Each item has a clear purpose, and the kit fits in a small dry bag or waterproof case I can clip to my belt or backpack. I prioritise items that are multi-purpose, easy to use in cold hands, and robust enough to work in saltwater environments.

Core contents of my minimal coastal first-aid kit

Here’s what I never go out without. You could fit most of this into a small 1–2 litre dry bag or a compact waterproof box like an Aquapac or Ortlieb accessory case.

  • Waterproof case / dry bag — keeps everything dry and visible.
  • Sterile adhesive dressings (various sizes) — for small cuts and blisters.
  • Sterile non-adherent pads — for deeper cuts; won’t stick to wounds.
  • Trauma dressings / compress — larger, for bleeding control.
  • Elastic bandage (crepe) — secure dressings, support sprains.
  • Waterproof plasters & fabric tape — flexible, saltwater-resistant options.
  • Antiseptic wipes / spray (chlorhexidine or povidone-iodine) — quick clean in the field.
  • Disposable nitrile gloves — protect both you and the injured person.
  • Small scissors & tweezers (stainless) — cut tape, remove hooks and spines.
  • Hemostatic powder or gauze — speeds up clotting on serious bleeds.
  • Thermal (space) blanket — invaluable for hypothermia management.
  • Hand warmers — small chemical packs help rewarm fingers and feet.
  • CPR face shield — compact and hygienic.
  • Whistle & torch/headlamp — for signalling and working after dark.
  • Simple painkillers (paracetamol / ibuprofen) — for pain and inflammation.
  • Antihistamine tablets — for allergic reactions, including stings.
  • Small bottle of sterile saline — irrigation for eyes, wounds, and jellyfish stings.
  • Spare phone battery or powerbank — for emergency calls.

    • Quick-reference table: item and primary use

    ItemPrimary use
    Sterile dressingsCover and protect cuts
    Trauma dressing / hemostatic gauzeControl heavy bleeding
    Antiseptic wipesReduce infection risk
    Thermal blanketHypothermia prevention/management
    Tweezers & scissorsRemove hooks/thorns, cut tape
    SalineRinse eyes, wounds, jellyfish stings

    Treating cuts and puncture wounds

    Saltwater and rocks are a toxic mix for a wound. My steps are simple and practical:

  • Stop the bleeding. Apply direct pressure with a clean pad; elevate the limb if possible. For more serious bleeding, use a trauma dressing and apply firm pressure for several minutes.
  • Clean carefully. Rinse the wound with copious sterile saline or clean seawater if nothing else is available — then use antiseptic wipes if you have them. Avoid aggressive scrubbing on deep punctures; the goal is to remove gross contamination.
  • Remove embedded hooks? If a hook is shallow and can be removed safely with pliers or clippers, do so wearing gloves. For deeply embedded or barbed hooks, it’s better to cut the line and seek professional removal — trying to pull out a barbed hook can cause more damage.
  • Protect the wound. Use a sterile non-adherent pad and secure with waterproof tape or an adhesive dressing. Change the dressing as soon as it’s soaked or within 24 hours and watch for signs of infection: increasing pain, redness, swelling, warmth, or pus.

    • If the wound is deep, gaping, caused by an animal bite, or from a rusty object — get medical attention promptly. Tetanus boosters and antibiotics are sometimes required with saltwater punctures.

    Hook injuries and barbed hooks

    I always carry pliers and a pair of wire cutters. If a hook is embedded in soft tissue and you can see the barb, you can sometimes push the hook through until the barb clears the skin and then snip the barb off with wire cutters and pull the shank back out. That technique is only for small, straightforward cases. For hooks in the mouth, eyes, or deep tissue, or if there’s significant bleeding, go to A&E. Keep the area immobilised and clean while you arrange transport.

    Hypothermia: recognising and treating it quickly

    Cold shock and hypothermia are the most urgent threats I face on the shore. Early signs include uncontrollable shivering, poor coordination, slurred speech, and confusion. Severe hypothermia can lead to decreased consciousness.

  • Get the person out of wind and wet clothing immediately.
  • Replace wet clothes with dry layers and use a thermal blanket. Insulate the head and torso first — that’s where heat loss is greatest.
  • Offer warm (not hot) sweet drinks if the person is conscious and can swallow.
  • Use chemical hand warmers on the chest and armpits — but don’t apply hot water bottles directly to cold skin.

    • If the person is unconscious or not breathing, call emergency services without delay. Shivering may stop as hypothermia worsens — that’s a red flag, not a good sign.

    Jellyfish stings, sea urchin punctures and marine life

    Jellyfish: rinse with saltwater (not fresh water — that can trigger more nematocysts). If you have vinegar (acetic acid) it helps with many species, followed by gentle removal of tentacles with tweezers and a saline rinse. Pain can be eased with immersion in hot water (as hot as you can tolerate, around 40–45°C) for 20–45 minutes. Antihistamines and painkillers help for systemic symptoms.

    Sea urchin spines: remove shallow spines with tweezers. For deeply embedded spines, soak the foot or hand in hot water and seek professional care if you can’t extract them — they can break and cause ongoing inflammation.

    When to seek professional help

  • Heavy bleeding that won’t stop with pressure or hemostatic dressing.
  • Deep puncture wounds, bites, or wounds with embedded foreign bodies.
  • Signs of infection developing after 24–48 hours.
  • Suspected broken bones, head injuries, chest injuries, difficulty breathing.
  • Hypothermia with reduced consciousness or stopped shivering.

    • Knowing the nearest A&E, coastguard numbers and having a charged phone are as important as bandages. I keep emergency numbers in a laminated card inside my kit and tell someone where I’m going if I’m fishing alone.

    Practical extras I recommend

  • A small roll of duct tape (wrap around a pencil) — fixes torn waders or secures dressings.
  • A waterproof notepad and pencil — jot injuries, times, and medications given.
  • Personal medications and a copy of any allergies or medical conditions.
  • Basic training — a half-day first-aid course focused on bleeding control and hypothermia is worth the time.

    • Keeping your kit simple, checking it before each trip, and practising basic procedures will make you calmer and more effective when something goes wrong. On the coast, preparedness is part of respect for the sea — for me, a small, sensible first-aid kit is as essential as a rod and good boots.