Standard dressing: This consists of a pad of sterilized gauze attached to a bandage. The pad is near one end of the bandage. It is sterile, i.e., free from germs, so do not allow it to touch anything (including your own fingers) before placing it on the wound.

Transporting a casualty: The removal of a sick or injured person either from the site of an accident or ashore is a matter of importance, since his life may depend on the arrangements made.

First aid satchels or boxes: These should contain iodine solution, a large standard dressing, 2 medium standard dressings, 4 small standard dressings, 8 triangular bandages, some cotton wool, safety pins, sticking plaster, scissors, and a pencil and paper.

Oxygen administration (oxygen therapy): Oxygen is essential to life. It is given for treatment when the body is unable to get enough oxygen from the air because of damage to the lungs or for other reasons, such as suffocation or carbon monoxide poisoning.

During rescue from the place of an accident: During this time the patient should be connected to the portable oxygen apparatus through a mask placed over his face.

When the patient is in the ship’s sick-bay: The unconscious patient: Ensure that a clear airway has been established. Place over the nose and mouth a disposable mask designed to give 35% oxygen to the patient.

The conscious patient: Ask the patient whether he usually suffers from severe difficulty in breathing and a chronic cough, i.e., chronic bronchitis. If the patient has severe chronic bronchitis, then he should be given only 24% oxygen.

WARNING. Smoking, naked lights, or fires must not be allowed in a room where oxygen is being administered, because of the risk of fire.