First Aid

When was the last time that you took a first aid course? Things have a way of changing over time. Lets talk about a few things that may have changed. I just might have some first aid hints that will surprise you.

Before we go too far, do you have a photographic memory? I think I know the answer to that one. We're all in the same boat when it comes to how much we can remember from our last course in first aid and CPR. That's why I keep a First Aid Book on my boat at all times.

If I asked you to recite the symptoms and treatment for heat exhaustion and heat stroke, a lot of you would come up short. Which one should you give liquids to? Answer: heat exhaustion victim. Will water alone do the trick? Did you know that water consumption by a victim of heat exhaustion could upset the body's salt balance and cause other complications? That's why you should add a pinch of salt and a pinch of sugar to a quart of water.

Did you know that if you cool a heat stroke victim too rapidly that you might induce hypothermia. Yes, hypothermia is at the opposite end of the spectrum, but it can be an unintended consequence of cooling the victim too fast. Heat stroke occurs when the body loses the ability to cool itself. Hypothermia is the lowering of the body's core temperature (internal organs such as heart, lungs, brain, etc.). As you might imagine, heat stroke and hypothermia in combination can be deadly.

Did you know that tourniquets are dangerous and are not recommended to control bleeding? If you haven't taken a first aid course in the last few decades, you might have missed that. We are using direct pressure on the wound to control bleeding. So don't put a tourniquet around your buddy's neck to control bleeding from his head wound!

If you find yourself in cold water, you might be threatened by hypothermia. Did you know that 50% of your body's heat loss is through your head? Your neck, chest, armpits and groin represent most of the other 50%. It is dangerous to give a hypothermia victim a bath or shower. Warming the victim slowly with body heat is best. Liquids are hazardous and alcoholic beverages cause additional heat loss.

If you have to administer CPR, do you remember to position the victim on a firm and flat surface? Do you remember the number of chest compressions and breaths for an adult (15 compression and 2 breaths)?

You can cure your memory problem by keeping a "current" first aid book onboard as a reference. The truth is that there is just too much to remember. Further, it is a little risky to leave the well being of your friends and family hanging in the balance. "Quick reference guides" are also available. They are waterproof, list the symptoms and treatment for each type of medical incident and use graphics to illustrate those points.

First Aid Books and Quick reference guides are inexpensive, but very effective. Keep yourself up-to-date by having the right reference material onboard. You'll be glad you did!

Until next time, I wish you clear skies, fair winds, and calm seas!