There are two comprehensive 1st Aid kits on board, each has a list of contents. These are stored in the after shower-room locker.
Everything you need to know is in the First Aid manual kept with the 1st Aid kits. Refer to the tabs on the right hand side of the manual for specific treatment information for the patient’s condition.
If you are in phone range, call 000 or coastguard for assistance.
If you are offshore use 2182 on the HF radio and request medical assistance.
In an emergency, use HF radio for a pan-pan or even a mayday distress call.
Below are a number of medical emergencies and their treatments
If you have internet access, you can watch the video on each condition, or you can find treatment in the 1st Aid Manual on the page indicated.
Poison can be ingested, inhaled, absorbed or injected (eg by sea-snakes).It causes injury, illness and can lead to death if not treated properly and quickly.
Symptoms can include
Burns or redness around the mouth and lips.
Breath that smells like chemicals, such as petrol or paint thinner.
The amount of bleeding depends on whether an artery, vein or capillary has been severed.
Excessive bleeding can lead to shock or death if not dealt with quickly. While external bleeding can be detected at the scene of the accident (remember to do a blood sweep), internal bleeding can be just as dangerous but needs close attention to detect.
Time is crucial. If no response and not breathing, start CPR immediately.
This video filmed on the beach at Bondi shows Surf Lifesavers resuscitating a drowned swimmer. Even professionals find treating a drowned casualty very frightening. Try to stay calm and remember what you have been taught.