Remember, you may well be a long way from a pharmacy so don't assume that everything you might need will be on board . . .

This is just a list of suggestions and includes things which we found useful. Always check with your doctor before travelling and see the useful links below:

• Paracetamol
• Ibuprofen (doubles up as a pain killer and anti-inflammatory)
• Antihistamine tablets (for mild allergic reactions)
• Seasickness tablets
• Rehydration sachets
• Anti-diarrhoea drugs
• Antiseptic cream or antiseptic wipes
• Wound Closure Strips (steri strips)
• Insect bite cream
• Sinus decongestant tablets
• Band aids
• Scissors (if you're carrying your first aid kit in hand luggage, make sure that your scissors are small, with rounded ends. However, to be on the safe side, you might like to pack them in your hold luggage ... just in case) 
• Tweezers (again, it might be safer to put these in the hold)
• Vinegar - for jelly fish stings (carry it in small sachets like the ones you get in motorway cafes)
• Ear drying aid (Swim-Ear)

These need to be prescribed, although, for our UK divers, this may need to be done on a private rather than an NHS prescription:

• A general purpose antibiotic
• Antibiotic drops for ear and eye infections
• Antibiotic ointment for skin infections.

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Download the First Aid Checklist

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Scuba Diving Insurance

If you’re taking the plunge by going scuba diving on your holiday, you’ll need the right protection to keep you safe and protect you for depths down to 50 metres. Comprehensive travel insurance with additional scuba cover is a must for your diving adventures - not only will it offer you financial protection if you’re in a medical emergency as a result of your underwater activities - it will also cover your costly diving equipment.

Combine a sailing and diving adventure in the Aegean or Ionian Sea. Witness the non-touristy side of the Greek islands. Experience shipwrecks, cliffs, caves, walls reefs, traces of ancient civilizations and of course the spectacular biodiversity of our waters which can't wait to meet your bubbles!

The skipper and crew are licensed PADI Divemasters. Crystal clear blue waters with spectacular visibility up to 30-40 meters. Gorgonians, corals, colourful sponges, starfishes, nudibranches and tube worms, sea anemonies are some of the 'micro' attractions you will encounter. Don't be surprised if our route crosses with dolphins, the loggerhead turtle or the Monk Seal! Before our dives our trained crew who will be your guides will give you a presentation on the wonders of biodiversity and marine ecology.

Read more . . .

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For the experienced dry-suit diver, the submarine ecosystems of the far north present a wild & undiscovered realm. This is a challenging & ever changing world of blue sculpted ice, Arctic marine wildlife & the chance to dive where few have dived before.

For the experienced dry-suit diver, the submarine ecosystems of the far north present a wild and undiscovered realm. This is a challenging environment, home to incredible Arctic marine and wildlife. Diving in the Arctic environment means not only ice but huge kelp forests and kelp walls, with sea snails, crabs, sea butterflies, a variety of Arctic fish, shrubby horse-tails, jellyfish and sea hedgehogs. In Spitsbergen, we may dive with seals.

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This dedicated Antarctic expedition offers above and below the water insights into the white continent, which few have been privileged to experience. A true adventure for divers and non-divers alike.

Divers on this voyage will enjoy guidance from an onboard team of diving professionals who are pioneers in polar diving, 2009 leaders included:

Göran Ehlme, BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2006 and polar cameraman for the Blue Planet. Matthieu Meur, the co-author for the Essential Digital Guide to Underwater Photography and the Advanced Guide to Digital Underwater Photography. Jamie Watts - former British Antarctic Survey Marine Scientist. Published author, most recently in BBC Wildlife Magazine and Ocean Geographic magazine. Rather than dive from a hole in the ice, we dive off the edges of ice flows and around spectacular icebergs where we hope to observe penguins from beneath the surface as they plunge en masse into the sea.

Read more . . .

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We have teamed up with Essential Travel to offer you specially designed scuba diving insurance. All levels of diving are covered.  From the one-off holiday adventurer to the more serious diving enthusiast, with cover down to 50 metres. Policy Includes: Up to £1000 cover for sports equipment in transit Standard cover down to 20 metres BSCA Dive Leader down to 50 metres Read more . . .

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