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The experience of a bareboat yacht charter is a magical way to enjoy Australia's unique environment, however without proper preparation, education and precautions, accidents can occur.
As Australian travel agents we regularly advise all those booking charter boats, before they hit the waterways, that the trip is properly planned, and those onboard are fully prepared for the adventure - and that everyone is up-to-date on basic CPR.
Giving Expired Air Resuscitation (EAR)
Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation is the easiest, most
successful method of EAR. Mouth-to-nose resuscitation
is used when there is serious jaw injury or if the casualty
has to be revived in deep water. Mouth-and-nose resuscitation
is used for babies and small children when your mouth can
cover both the mouth and the nose.
Mouth-to-mask resuscitation used by a
person trained in this technique avoids mouth-to-mouth contact
if the casualty is thought to be suffering from a communicable
disease, such as a hepatitis virus... HIV (human immunodeficiency
virus)... herpes or even a cold, that can be transmitted to
another person by blood or other body fluids... However, because
the risk of catching such a disease is low for the person
giving first aid, EAR should not be withheld in the absence
of a mask.
Motor cruisers are ideal for ocean cruising or navigating large rivers. Two engines, usually fuelled with diesel, and a generator for electricity make them self sufficient in terms of living accommodations. Motor yachts have well appointed living accommodations and are ideal for bareboat charter.

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Mouth-to-mouth
resuscitation
- Kneel beside the casualty
- Place the casualty on their back
- Tilt the head back gently, supporting the jaw with
your fingers. Do not press on the throat. The
person's mouth should be only partly open.
- Seal the casualty's nose with your cheek or use
finger and thumb to pinch the nostrils closed. Take
a deep breath and place your mouth over the casualty's,
sealing off any opening.
- Keeping the casualty's head tilted, give 5 full
breaths in 10 seconds.
- Check the carotid pulse. See Checking
pulse
If there is no pulse begin CPR. See CPR
- If there is a pulse, check the casualty's breathing.
Put your face close to his or her mouth and listen
and feel for air being exhaled.
- If there is no apparent breathing, continue EAR,
first checking that the head is tilted back far enough
that the mouth and nose are sealed off so that no
air escapes and that the airway is clear. (If the
stomach is distended, this may indicate a blacked
airway.) Give 1 breath every 4 seconds.
- After 1 minute check the pulse and breathing again
and continue to do so every 2 minutes.
- When the casualty is breathing again, place him
or her in the lateral position and check the airway,
breathing and pulse frequently.
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Mouth-to-nose
resuscitation
- Kneel beside the casualty.
- Place the casualty on his or her back, with the
head tilted back.
- Supporting the jaw with your fingers, close the
casualty's mouth, and keep it closed, using your thumb
on the lower lip.
- Take a deep breath. Open your mouth wide and place
it over the casualty's nose, without compressing the
soft nostrils.
- Breathe into the casualty's nose.
- Move your mouth away. Open the casualty's lower
lip with your thumb to allow exhalation.
- Continue as for mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, steps
5-10 (see above.)
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Mouth-to-mask
resuscitation
- Kneel either beside the casualty's head or at the
top of the head, facing the feet.
- Place the narrow end of the mask on the bridge of
the casualty's nose. Use both of your hands, place
on either side of the jaw, to keep the airway open
and to hold the mask firmly in place, creating an
airtight seal.
- Take a deep breath and blow through the mouthpiece
of the mask.
- Remove your moth to allow exhalation.
- Continue as for mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, steps
5-10 (see above.)
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Mouth-and-nose
resuscitation
(for babies and children under 8)
- After clearing the airway, lay the child on his
or her back, with the head horizontal, not tilted,
and the jaw supported by your hand.
- Place your mouth over the child's nose and slightly
opened mouth. Puff gently, providing just enough air
to make the child's chest rise.
- Continue as for mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, steps
5-10 (see above), but giving 1 shallow breath every
3 seconds.
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| Checking
for Pulse |
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The pulse rate is the rate
of the heartbeat: 60-90 strong, regular beats per minute
is the normal for adults; up to 100 for a child; and up
to 140 for a baby. When the heart stops beating, the blood
in the body stops circulating. Breathing will stop and
the casualty will be unconscious. The carotid pulse should
always be checked if the casualty is unconscious, or seriously
ill or injured.
- Lightly place the tips of your middle two or three
fingers on the casualty's Adam's apple, then slide
them into the groove between it and the large neck
muscle. Feel only one side when taking the pulse;
it is easier to feel the pulse on the far side of
the neck.
- Feel for the pulse for 5 seconds.
- If no pulse is present, begin CPR immediately.
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Cardiopulmonary
Resuscitation (CPR)
CPR is a combination of EAR and external cardiac compression
(ECC), or chest compression...It maintains an artificial
circulation until expert help arrives. CPR is very
tiring and ideally should be carried out by two people
to maintain the correct rhythm. |
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Extend the thumbs of both your hands to meet in the middle
of the breastbone. (see below) 
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CPR
for adults
- Kneel beside the upper body and head of the casualty.
- Leave the casualty on his or her back.
- Locate the middle point of the breastbone: run the
fingers of both your hands along the lowest rib on
both sides, starting on the outside and moving inwards
until they meet in the middle. Leave the index finger
of one of your hands on this point. Place the index
finger of your other hand in the groove between the
collar bones (that is, the top of the breastbone.)
- Keep your hand that is nearer the casualty's head
in this position. Place the heel of your other hand
just below it, on the lower half of the breastbone:
your fingers should be relaxed, slightly raised and
pointing across the chest.
- Place your hand that is nearer the casualty's head
on top of your other hand, interlocking its fingers
with those of the lower one or locking its thumb around
the wrist of the lower one.
- Keep your arms straight and, using the heel of your
lower hand, depress the breastbone about 4-5cm, without
exerting any pressure on the ribs. Release the pressure,
allowing the chest to expand, but do not remove
your hands. Continue the compressions, rhythmically
depressing then releasing.
If you are alone: depress the breastbone 15
times in 10-12 seconds, then apply EAR, giving 2 breaths
in 3-5 seconds.
If you have help: one person should do the
chest compressions, then allow the other person to
give EAR. Give 5 compressions then 1 breath, in 5
seconds. The person applying compression needs to
count out loud so that, at the end of the fifth one,
EAR is given by the other helper without any pause.
- Check the pulse after 1 minute, then every 2 minutes.
If there is no pulse, continue CPR. If there is a
pulse but breathing has not returned, stop CPR and
continue EAR only.
- When both pulse and breathing resume, place the
person in the lateral position and wait with him or
her until medical help arrives.
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CPR
for children 1-8 years
- Find the middle of the breastbone (see above CPR
for adults, steps 1-3.)
- Place the heel of your hand that is nearer the child's
abdomen just below the middle point of the breastbone,
with your fingers relaxed, slightly raised and pointing
across the chest.
- Using only this heel, and not the other hand as
well, depress the chest about 2-3cm, working gently
and rhythmically.
If you are alone: give 15 compressions, then
2 quick, shallow breaths, in 10 seconds.
If you have help: give 5 compressions, then
1 quick, shallow breath, in 3 seconds. |
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CPR
for Babies
- Find the middle of the breastbone (see above CPR
for adults, steps 1-3.)
- To apply compression use only the index and
middle fingers of your hand on the lower half
of the breastbone. Depress the chest lightly about
1.5cm.
If you are alone: give 15 compressions, then
2 quick, shallow breaths, in 10 seconds.
If you have help: give 5 compressions, then
1 quick shallow breath in 3 second. |
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