This buoyant, self-contained package is easy to spot on deck.

Description

First-aid kit designed for the casual, flat-water boating environment.

Overview

First-aid kits are one of those items always listed on safety pamphlets. The problem is, that as the environment changes, so do the needs of the first-aid kit. The kit is only as good as the contents inside.

This group project was meant to explore the importance of contextual design. We chose to focus on designing a kit for casual boating safety. We met with several boaters, ranging from canoe guides to kayaking families. From those interviews, we created a set of criteria this kit needed to fulfill given its context. The first-aid kit had to be waterproof, buoyant, recognizable, organized, flexible, and portable.

We decided to pursue a book-like concept, where the items were contained in dry bags and held together in spreads by an adjustable spine. To add further clarity, we designed an iconic labeling system for the dry bags. The overall goal was to make the kit accessible in even the direst of situations; thus eliminating the chaos associated with most kits.

The color and shape of the kit suggest the symbol of safety: the red cross.

The first-aid materials are contained within dry bag “pages” held by a semi-rigid spine.

The kit’s contents are clearly organized and quickly identified by the iconic labeling system.