Onboard Medical Reference

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Reference & Training

Onboard Medical Reference

First-aid procedures for common sailing injuries. This is a reference guide — not a substitute for proper first-aid training, a stocked marine first-aid kit, or professional medical advice.

In a Life-Threatening Emergency

Call for help on VHF Channel 16 — "MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY." State your vessel name, position, nature of medical emergency, and number of people on board. Repeat until acknowledged.

Burns (Thermal & Sun)

Moderate
  1. 1Cool the burn immediately with running cool (not cold) water for 20 minutes.
  2. 2Remove jewellery or tight clothing near the burn before swelling begins — do NOT remove anything stuck to the burn.
  3. 3Cover with a clean, non-stick dressing or cling film. Do NOT apply ice, butter, or creams.
  4. 4Give paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain.
  5. 5Seek medical advice for burns larger than the patient's palm, on face/hands/genitals, or that blister deeply.
  6. 6For sunburn: cool compresses, hydrate, aloe vera gel, and stay out of the sun.

Hypothermia

Serious
  1. 1Recognise: shivering, cold/pale skin, slurred speech, confusion, fatigue, loss of coordination.
  2. 2Get the person out of the wind and water immediately. Move to a warm, dry cabin.
  3. 3Remove wet clothing gently and replace with dry, warm layers.
  4. 4Wrap in blankets, sleeping bag, or survival foil blanket — cover the head.
  5. 5Provide warm (not hot) sweet drinks if fully conscious. Do NOT give alcohol.
  6. 6Apply gentle heat (warm water bottles wrapped in towels) to armpits, groin, and neck.
  7. 7Do NOT rub extremities or warm too rapidly — can cause dangerous blood pressure drops.
  8. 8If unconscious or severely confused, monitor breathing and seek urgent medical evacuation.

Cuts & Lacerations

Variable
  1. 1Apply direct pressure with a clean cloth/gauze to stop bleeding. Elevate the wound if possible.
  2. 2Clean thoroughly with clean fresh water. Remove visible debris with tweezers.
  3. 3Do NOT close deep, gaping, or contaminated wounds — they may need professional closure.
  4. 4Apply antiseptic and cover with a sterile dressing. Change dressing if it gets wet or dirty.
  5. 5Check tetanus status — if uncertain or wound is dirty, seek medical advice.
  6. 6For severe bleeding that won't stop: maintain pressure, elevate, and call for medical assistance. Consider tourniquet only as a last resort for life-threatening limb bleeding.
  7. 7Watch for infection signs: increasing redness, warmth, swelling, pus, or fever.

Seasickness

Common
  1. 1Move to the centre of the boat where motion is least — lie down, close eyes.
  2. 2Keep busy steering or watching the horizon — having a task can reduce symptoms.
  3. 3Get fresh air. Avoid below-deck, fumes, and strong smells. Stay on deck if safe.
  4. 4Sip water or ginger tea. Eat dry crackers. Avoid heavy, greasy, or spicy meals.
  5. 5Administer anti-seasickness medication early (before onset if possible).
  6. 6If vomiting, ensure the person stays hydrated — small sips of water frequently.
  7. 7Remove from watch duties if symptoms are severe. Rest in a secure berth.

Jellyfish Stings

Moderate
  1. 1Do NOT rub the sting area. Remove the person from the water.
  2. 2Rinse with seawater (NOT fresh water — it can trigger more stinging cells).
  3. 3Carefully remove tentacles with tweezers or a gloved hand. Do NOT scrape with sand.
  4. 4Immerse the sting in hot water (45°C / as hot as tolerated without burning) for 20 minutes.
  5. 5For tropical box jellyfish: pour vinegar on the sting for 30 seconds to neutralise, then hot water.
  6. 6Give paracetamol or antihistamines for pain and itching.
  7. 7Watch for allergic reaction: difficulty breathing, swelling of face/throat — seek urgent help.
  8. 8For major stings (large area, box jellyfish, or severe pain), call for medical evacuation.

Fish Hook Injuries

Common
  1. 1Do NOT pull the hook backward if the barb is embedded — it will tear tissue.
  2. 2If the barb is visible and shallow: push the hook forward until the barb emerges through the skin, cut off the barb with wire cutters, then remove the remaining hook through the entry point.
  3. 3If the barb is deep or near a joint, eye, or blood vessel: do NOT remove. Pad around it, immobilise, and seek medical help.
  4. 4Clean the wound thoroughly after removal. Apply antiseptic.
  5. 5Cover with a sterile dressing.
  6. 6Check tetanus status — if uncertain, seek medical advice.
  7. 7Watch for infection over the following days.

Sprains & Fractures

Variable
  1. 1Follow RICE: Rest, Ice (cold pack wrapped in cloth, 15-20 min), Compression (bandage), Elevation.
  2. 2Immobilise suspected fractures with a splint before moving the person.
  3. 3Do NOT try to realign a deformed limb — splint it in the position found.
  4. 4Give pain relief (paracetamol or ibuprofen).
  5. 5For open fractures (bone visible through skin): cover with sterile dressing, control bleeding, do NOT push bone back in.
  6. 6Seek medical advice for all suspected fractures. Consider evacuation for major bones or if mobility is severely affected.

Head Injury / Concussion

Serious
  1. 1Assess responsiveness: Ask name, date, what happened. Confusion or amnesia = concussion.
  2. 2Check for serious signs: loss of consciousness, repeated vomiting, worsening headache, unequal pupils, seizure, fluid from ears/nose — these need urgent evacuation.
  3. 3If conscious and stable: rest in a quiet, dim cabin. No alcohol or strong painkillers.
  4. 4Monitor closely for 24 hours — wake every 2-3 hours to check responsiveness.
  5. 5Do NOT allow return to active duty until symptom-free for at least 24 hours.
  6. 6Any deterioration or persistent confusion = medical evacuation.

Marine First-Aid Kit Essentials

Sterile gauze and adhesive dressings (assorted sizes)
Crepe bandages and triangular bandages
Medical tape and scissors
Tweezers and splinter probe
Disposable gloves (multiple pairs)
Antiseptic solution and wipes
Saline solution for eye irrigation
Burn gel and non-stick burn dressings
Paracetamol and ibuprofen
Antihistamine tablets
Anti-seasickness medication (Stugeron, Scopoderm)
Hydrocortisone cream
Instant cold packs
Foil survival blanket
Wire cutters (for fish hooks)
Torch / headlamp with spare batteries
First-aid manual (waterproof)
Any crew-specific prescription medications
This reference does not replace formal first-aid training. All crew should complete a recognised marine first-aid course. Ensure your vessel carries a properly stocked and in-date first-aid kit appropriate to your cruising area. In any serious medical situation, seek professional medical advice early — delays at sea can be dangerous.