What should you do if someone on board becomes unresponsive?

What should you do if someone on board becomes unresponsive?

• A. Shake them vigorously to wake them up.
• B. Move them to the aft deck immediately.
• C. Check for responsiveness and signs of breathing, call for help, start CPR if trained, and use an AED if available.
• D. Wait for medical professionals to arrive without providing care.

Answer: (C)

When someone becomes unresponsive on a boat, the priority is to check for responsiveness and breathing, then get help and start CPR with an AED if available. Begin by attempting to wake them with a firm shake and a shout. Quickly check for normal breathing for no more than about 10 seconds. If there’s no response and no normal breathing, call for help immediately—notify the crew and contact medical support via the ship’s radio or distress channel as needed. If you’re trained, start CPR right away with standard compressions and rescue breaths; if you’re not trained, perform hands-only CPR. Attach and use the AED as soon as it’s available, following its prompts to deliver a shock if advised, then resume CPR. Keep going until professional help arrives or the person resumes breathing or shows a pulse. Shaking them vigorously to wake them up isn’t a proper step and can cause injury, and waiting for others to act without initiating care wastes vital time.

When someone becomes unresponsive on a boat, the priority is to check for responsiveness and breathing, then get help and start CPR with an AED if available. Begin by attempting to wake them with a firm shake and a shout. Quickly check for normal breathing for no more than about 10 seconds. If there’s no response and no normal breathing, call for help immediately—notify the crew and contact medical support via the ship’s radio or distress channel as needed. If you’re trained, start CPR right away with standard compressions and rescue breaths; if you’re not trained, perform hands-only CPR. Attach and use the AED as soon as it’s available, following its prompts to deliver a shock if advised, then resume CPR. Keep going until professional help arrives or the person resumes breathing or shows a pulse. Shaking them vigorously to wake them up isn’t a proper step and can cause injury, and waiting for others to act without initiating care wastes vital time.