Immediate medical problems aboard survival craft

In many cases, proper medical survival kits may not be available, so rescuers must rely on improvisation. The first priority in caring for injured individuals is to provide life-saving treatment. Bleeding should be controlled using direct pressure. If a person is not breathing, mouth-to-mouth artificial respiration should be given. If there is no pulse or if the heart has stopped, heart compression must be performed. Shock should be treated by positioning the casualty with the head lower than the rest of the body and by keeping the person warm.

Fractures should be managed by using improvised methods such as strapping the injured limb to another part of the body—for example, tying one leg to the other, one arm to the chest, or one forearm to the other. Pain can be reduced through reassurance and by giving medicines if they are available.

People who are rescued from drowning usually recover on their own if they are rescued quickly, have not been exposed to cold water for a long time, and if their body temperature has not dropped significantly.