Medical Supplies

By Dave and Jaja

Jaja and I have been cruising offshore together for 12 years. During that time we have carried a varying assortment of over-the-counter medicines, out-of-date prescriptions, and almost-useless herbal concoctions. It is tempting to take too many remedies along on a voyage. As the years go by, we seem to take less and less. The main reason for this, is that it's fairly easy to obtain prescription drugs in other countries. Unless we are planning for regions far removed from reliable medical clinics (the middle of the ocean for example, or deep in the Pacific Islands), we keep our medicine chest basic. Generally, if we stock a vast selection of expensive pills, they usually just go out of date.

In the States, to stock a medical kit requires a sympathetic doctor to write all the scripts. When traveling overseas it is sometimes possible to skip this step and go straight to a pharmacist. Pharmacists in the United States are very strict by law; walk up to the little window without a prescription and ask for drugs, and you will probably get arrested. This is an over-exaggeration, of course. But unless you go to a doctor first, you might as well go to the local bank and ask for some money.

During our travels, we have received antibiotics and birth control pills from overseas pharmacists simply by asking. First, we explain our lifestyle, stating that we live on a boat and are going to sea, or to remote places. We explain that we will be away from instant medical care. We also know exactly what drugs we want and ask for them by name. We have educated ourselves on which type of antibiotics are best suited for our needs. If the pharmacist is not willing to hand over the goods (by the way: pharmacists the world over will never, ever, give you narcotics without a prescription) try another pharmacy. "Closet Cruisers" are everywhere. Invite the pharmacist down to your boat. You'll probably get a discount. At worst, you might have to see a doctor and get legal prescriptions. Once again, "shop around" and find a sailor-doctor. Nine times out of ten they won't charge for the appointment.

I've seen medical boxes on other cruising boats that are bigger that my tool box and tackle box combined. This can get expensive. Why take too much? Prevention, as always, is key. Neosporin, for example, is a cheap and very effective ointment for cuts. In the tropics, swab your ears (especially the kid's!) with alcohol every day. Drink plenty of water.

Replacing narcotics is not a huge problem. Unlike antibiotics, you will probably never use them. If you need serious drugs, it means you have a serious problem and will probably seek shoreside help as soon as possible. Ask for a refill then. I've known cruisers who have morphine ampules in their kits. In many countries you are supposed to declare the hard core stuff such as morphine when you check in. We've always carried pain killers that do not need to be declared. These include Percodan, Tramadol, or Vicodin. The antibiotics we carry include Amoxicilin, Keflex (our son Chris is allergic to penicillin), Fluxacillin, Cypro (not for anthrax! - we use it for bladder infections and as a prophylactic in the event of appendicitis).

It's my experience that a bottle of 20-year-old Scotch is cheaper, and just as effective, as pain killers and antibiotics. It's available worldwide, and it doesn't require a prescription. Unfortunately, Jaja still doesn't believe me that, once opened, Scotch has a shelf life and needs to be consumed lest it lose its potency.

Never hurts to try.