Personal Injuries, Hypothermia, and Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Proper response to accidents results from good training and common sense. If an injury is minor, treat it immediately. If an injury is major, make the victim as comfortable and safe as possible until medical personnel arrive, assuming you have a way to call for help.

Cold water immersion or hypothermia kills in several ways. The colder the water, the greater the chance of death. However, the initial reaction to cold water immersion can occur in water as warm as 77° Fahrenheit. Your chance of surviving cold water immersion depends on having sufficient flotation to keep your head above water, controlling your breathing, having timely rescue by yourself or others, and retaining body heat.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible, odorless, tasteless gas that is produced when a carbon-based fuel burns. CO can make you sick in seconds. In high enough concentrations, even a few breaths can be fatal. Sources of CO on your boat may include gasoline engines, gas generators, cooking ranges, and heaters. Early symptoms of CO poisoning include irritated eyes, headache, nausea, weakness, and dizziness. They often are confused with seasickness or intoxication. Move anyone with these symptoms to fresh air immediately. Seek medical attention—unless you're sure it's not CO.

Other serious injuries include shock, bleeding, burns, broken bones, head, neck, or spinal injuries. A responsible vessel operator takes a certified course in first 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.