sylvio lamarche wrote about a "staph" infection that he got from a "coral scratch" and it's resistance to antibiotics and eastern remedies: First, How do you know that it was "staph" short for staphylococcus of which there are two major subtypes. Was it cultured? I doubt it from your description and that is an issue. Later on that. Assuming it was. Staph Aureus, which causes most "staph" infections outside of the hospital is sensitive to a variety of antibiotics from semi-synthetic penicillins (but not penicillin) to first. second generation cephalosporins that are available in pill form. Resistant staph aureus or staph epidermidis ( the cause of most hospital associated staph infections) requires vancomycin intravenously. Ypu can't easily pack this with you or self administer. Second, There are a variety of marine organisms that can cause skin infections that can be quite severe. Many of these are in completely different classifications from "staph" and the antibiotic selection would need to be different. I personally do not carry antibiotics in my first aid kit kayaking except for topical antibiotics for wounds and good wound cleansing materials. Topical antibiotics, appropriately utilized with a well cleaned wound will generally do a better job. One other note, Duct tape is the most important piece of equipment for many outdoor problems from splinting a limb with branches or paddles to temporarily repairing a hole in a glass boat to repiring a hole in a tent. Someone earlier included this in a list but most have not. I would also like to second the comment, that direct pressure is key to stopping bleeding. Even serious bleeding. Martin Doerfler, MD Internist Pulmonologist Critical Care Specialist Kayaker *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
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