In the event of an accident or injury you will need to act promptly and seek medical assistance if necessary; remember that on the water the latter may be quite some distance away. It is essential to have a first aid kit aboard. A few basic points:

• Treat shock by keeping the patient comfortable and the area well ventilated;loosen clothing; unless fractured raise legs slightly; do not give patient anything to drink.
  

• Do not give fluids to someone who is unconscious.

• Never give a patient alcohol. 

• Treat bums with plenty of cold water and cover with a wet towel or cloth; do not apply any oil or ointments; do not break blisters.

• Stop bleeding from wounds with dressing and firm bandage after cleaning; do not use tourniquet.

• Treat sunburn with clean cloths soaked in cold water; give plenty to drink. 

• Do not try to remove fish hooks but seek medical help. 

• Current snake bite treatment (rarely needed on a boat) is to use splint and firm bandage along full length of limb; do not attempt to suck or cut wound; keep patient immobile. 

• In the event of a venomous fish wound, wash the injury and encourage any bleeding. Immerse the wound in water as hot as the patient can stand: this will break down the venom. Get medical advice if acute pain or swelling persists for more than a few hours.

• Resuscitation after apparent drowning should begin immediately. After checking that a pulse is present, lie patient on side, clear airway by turning head backwards, check tongue is clear of throat. Then turn patient onto their back, close patient's nose with fingers, take deep breath and inflate patient's lungs. Give five quick breaths within 10 seconds and then one every five seconds. Keep repeating procedure until recovery occurs. Breathe lightly with infants.