Instruction manual

PROFICIENCY IN SURVIVAL CRAFT AND RESCUE BOATS OTHER THAN
FAST RESCUE BOATS
13 6
Symptoms Treatment
behavior, i.e, loss of
reasoning and recall
• Clumsiness
• Slurred speech
• Denies problem, may resist
help
• Semiconscious or
unconscious
• Muscular rigidity increases
cause cardiac arrest or ventricular fibrillation
of heart.
• No food or drink - no alcohol.
• Ignore pleas of "Leave me alone." Victim is
in serious trouble.
• Treat as for shock – lay down in bunk, wedge
in place, elevate feet.
• Apply external mild heat to head, neck, chest,
and groin - keep temperature from dropping,
while avoiding too rapid a temperature rise.
• Transport to hospital.
Critical Case: Body temperature is less than 82° (< 27.8° C)
• Unconscious, may appear
dead
• Little or no apparent
breathing
• Pulse slow and weak, or no
pulse found
• Skin cold, may be bluish-
gray color
• Pupils may be dilated
• Rigid body
• Assume patient is revivable; don’t give up.
• Handle with extreme care.
• Tilt the head back to open the airway – look,
listen and feel for breathing and pulse for one
to two minutes.
• If there is breathing or pulse no matter how
faint or slow, do not give CPR, but keep a
close watch for changes in vital signs.
• If no breathing or pulse is detected for one to
two minutes, begin CPR immediately.
Medical help is imperative – hospitalization
is needed.
• Stabilize temperature with external heat
sources, and/or use rescuer’s breath exhaled
in victim’s face in unison with victim’s
breathing.