122 Chapter Three
Medical Emergencies
You are often isolated from immediate
medical help when an accident or injury
occurs on the water. You must be self-suffi
cient.
• Be prepared by taking medical treatment
courses such as life-saving, fi rst-aid, and
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
courses offered by organizations such as
the American Red Cross.
• This is particularly important if you are
a boater who regularly goes out of range
of immediate medical help or takes
extended long-distance cruises.
• Keep a first-aid manual and wellequipped
fi rst-aid kit on board.
First-Aid Kit
“Be prepared for an emergency. Recognize
that heat stress on the water can cause
injury or even death from over heating
to sunstroke. Keep a fi rst-aid kit in your
home, in your automobile, and on your
boat. Carry a fi rst-aid kit with you, or know
where you can fi nd one when you are participating
in outdoor activities. Know the
location of fi rst-aid kits where you work.
Purchase a fi rst-aid kit designed for your
type of boating”. From First Aid Fast by
The American Red Cross (Table 11-5).
Heart Attacks, Cardiac Arrest,
and Drown ing
The most important factor in saving a
person needing emergency respiration is
get ting air into the lungs quickly. Ideally,
some one on board has training in rescue
breathing and cardiopulmonary resuscitation
(CPR). Give rescue breathing to a person
who is unconscious and not breathing.
Give CPR to a person who is not breathing
and does not have a pulse.
Don’t wait for an emergency to be
convinced of the need for rescue breathing
and CPR training. Organizations such as
The Ameri can Red Cross offer these courses.
Sign up for a course as soon as possible.
Red Cross Health and
Safety Programs
The Red Cross offers a variety of community
programs that teach life-saving skills
and safety information. Contact your local
Red Cross chapter for information on these
and other programs:
American Red Cross Adult CPR*
American Red Cross Basic Aid Training
(for children)*
American Red Cross Community CPR*
American Red Cross Infant & Child CPR*
American Red Cross Standard First Aid*
American Red Cross `Till Help Arrives*
American Red Cross Community Water
Safety
American Red Cross Learn to Swim Programs
American Red Cross Longfellow’s Whale
Tales (for children)
*Available in Spanish
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Table 11-5. First Aid Kit
A responsible boat operator takes a certifi ed course in fi rst aid
and CPR. Doing so enables you to respond quickly in emergency
situations and to provide immediate care until the victim can be
treated by a physician.
When boating it can take a long time to get medical help.
A responsible boat operator also keeps a fi rst aid kit onboard.
It should be water proof and include:
First Aid Manual
Liquid soap or antiseptic towlettes
Disposable latex gloves
Scissors and tweezers
Resuscitation mask
Triple antibiotic cream
Hydrocortisone cream
Adhesive tape
Assorted gauze adhesive bandages and pads
Cold pack
Sugar packs
Aspirin or aspirin substitute
Sunscreen SPF 15 minimum
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