Once in a while, though, something goes awry and you need to be ready and able to handle the situation. You don't need to be a doctor, nurse or paramedic - and no matter how much you watch "ER," you're not a doctor, nurse or paramedic - but you do need to know basic first aid and what the next steps should be if the situation is beyond your capabilities.  

Be Prepared
You're giving first aid because you're the first one able to render aid. And to be able to render aid, you're going to need some basic supplies - supplies that should be in the first-aid kit you keep on board at all times. You can buy a first-aid kit from any number of boating supply dealers. Your first-aid kit doesn't have to be extravagant. Just make sure the kit has the supplies you'll need to deal with common ailments such as sunburn, seasickness, scrapes, bruises, burns and insect bites. A good starter list would include a first-aid manual, adhesive bandages of various sizes, sterile pads, tweezers, blunt scissors, calamine lotion, motion sickness pills or patches, and aspirin. Also, you should have a cell phone, VHF radio or other signaling device on board to call for help in case the situation is beyond your abilities.

Assess The Situation
"First, do no harm." That's part of the Hippocratic Oath that all doctors swear, and it should be your number-one guiding rule when it comes to first aid. If you're not sure what to do, don't do anything other than head for shore and for help. When someone is injured, doing the wrong thing is often much worse than doing nothing at all. Visit the American Red Cross' website (www.redcross.org) and download its Guidelines for First Aid. Print it and keep it on board to help you identify and properly treat injuries and ailments. As a general rule, keep the injured person as still and calm as possible, and keep a sharp eye out for any signs of shock - clammy skin, profuse sweating or labored breathing, for example - that indicate you need to get help as quickly and as safely as possible.

Head For Home
When somebody's injured or sick, it's time to call it a day, even if it's not a crisis situation. Bad sunburn, dehydration and seasickness are all maladies that can make a day on the water less pleasant, and in these situations it's best to head for home. If it's a more serious situation, make for the nearest port. However, don't hammer the throttle and see how quickly you can make it to shore. Make sure the ailing person is as low and secure as possible, and then make your way to port at a judicious pace. You want the ride to be as smooth and dry as possible, so keep it (relatively) slow and easy. Lay the victim on their back and cover them with blankets or towels to keep them warm. Elevate their feet 8 to 12 inches above the head and don't give them anything to eat or drink. 

Call For Help
In the event of a serious incident, don't hesitate to call for help. A serious event is one in which the ailing person loses consciousness, exhibits multiple symptoms of shock, has uncontrollable bleeding, has difficulty breathing, or displays any symptoms you can't identify or readily handle. In this situation, act quickly and decisively. Remember to lay the injured person on his or her back, cover to keep warm and elevate the feet. Use a GPS or visual landmarks to fix your location. Call 9-1-1 on your cell phone and report your position and your emergency, or use Channel 16 on your VHF radio to issue a Mayday call. Speak slowly and clearly. Announce your position; describe your boat and your emergency. Maintain emergency contact until help arrives.