First Aid at Sea

Publisher: Adlard Coles Nautical; £9.99
Publication Date: 2008

Any book that runs to a 5th Edition must have something to recommend it. This new edition includes an update of the initial response to emergency situations including the recent changes in resuscitation techniques. Justin and Berry are well known and experienced ‘yachtie’ doctors and have a profound knowledge of the most likely medical problems encountered at sea and how to deal with them. This is an aide memoire of basic essential first aid afloat and provides the yachtsman with all the necessary information to save lives, prevent further deterioration, promote recovery and evacuate the patient in a stable condition to on going medical care with, hopefully, a provisional diagnosis. The excellent illustrations enhance the clear, understandable text and the robust waterproof ring binding makes it an ideal medical ‘vade mecum’ to have on board and to accompany the medical kit.

A list of essential items to compile a basic medical kit is also included with advice on communication and evacuation. It has quite rightly been adopted as the official medical handbook of the RORC and Mike Golding the ocean racing skipper tells me he would not sail without a copy of this book It is highly recommended for first aid but for extensive voyaging beyond immediate help a more comprehensive handbook would be required also to advise on further medical treatment. - Campbell Mackenzie