First Aid Kiss of Life.JPG (7113 bytes)

First Aid Artificial Res & Chest Compression.JPG (8560 bytes)

Expired Air Resuscitation

In cases of suspected drowning, speed is crucial. If someone has stopped breathing, you must take over to ensure a supply of oxygen to the brain.

1. First check whether the unconscious casualty has stopped breathing.
2. Lay him on his back, put your cheek beside his mouth and look along his chest.
3. If you can't hear, feel or see any signs of breathing, take action promptly.
4. Place one hand under his chin, your other on his forehead and tilt his head back as shown (see picture). This will open the airway and may be enough to restore breathing. If not
5. Clear any debris from his mouth, pinch his nostrils shut with thumb and forefinger,
6. Take a deep breath, seal your lips over his mouth and blow into his lungs looking along his chest to ensure that it rises.
7. If it doesn't, check for obstructions before giving another exhalation.
8. The purpose of these first two exhalations is to saturate the lungs with oxygen.
9. Then check for a carotid pulse. If you can feel one, continue giving exhalations at a steady rate of 12 - 16 per minute until the casualty is breathing for himself.
10. When that happens, turn him to the Recovery Position. Do not leave him unattended.
11. If no pulse is detected, you will have to start external cardiac compression.

Learn how to on a first aid course.


Treatment of Hypothermia

With water sports the worst danger is not drowning, as some people might think, but getting cold and hypothermia is also a constant danger on the water. Nobody enjoys being cold and wet for long, but discomfit can turn to danger as the body core temperature drops below an acceptable level. The simple message is stay warm.

The signs of hypothermia depend on its severity. At first, a person may shiver, look cold and complain of cold. It is when the shivering and complaints stop that you know the casualty is getting worse and could die. Look out for drowsiness, confusion and lethargy. Which may lead on to cramp, slurred speech, nausea and numbness in arms and legs, and eventually to unconsciousness.

When somebody clearly shows all these signs, never give alcohol. Gradual re-warming with warm coverings is the best way to restore the body core temperature. In mild cases you can give warm drinks. In severe cases, the casualty may have stopped breathing, so you should start artificial resuscitation immediately. Be very careful about checking for a pulse, as the heart rate will slow right down in a severely hypothermic victim.

First Aid Panic.JPG (7294 bytes)

First Aid Recovery Position.JPG (8715 bytes)

Return to AY Main Menu
GO TO Introduction to Sailing - Day Skipper - CoastalYM - OffshoreYM Syllabus
Return to AsianYachting Homepage