Adhesive bandages, even the best flexible fabric or foam ones, or those listed below, don t stick worth a damn when applied in wet conditions, unless properly prepped, and even then it isn t a sure thing. Mastisol is less messy, sticks much better, and being insoluble in water, is best for raft use, but you may have to search for the vials or beg them off your doc. For really wet conditions you may have to rely on compresses with attached ties. So, make sure you include a large supply of 2 inch compresses to use instead of adhesive bandages when necessary. Duct tape can also be used to secure bandages.
Life rafts are a veritable infection breeding ground.
Small wounds you might otherwise ignore require aggressive action. It is also best to keep the wound dry, obviously a challenge in a raft. The thin clear protective material is flexible enough to work in most places without coming loose and it really seals the wound completely. Because they are clear, you can easily see any signs of infection developing at the edges of the pad, or with the surgical versions, around the closed wound. In some cases you may want to then cover this bandage with a compress to protect the thin material from abuse.