Injury, illness, and getting help
Head injury, the boom, and the neck
A gybe and a low boom are a common way to injure a head. Treat the mechanism as both a head injury and a possible neck injury.
Call emergency help after a head injury if the person does not wake, cannot stay awake, has a seizure, fell more than 1 metre, has new problems with vision, hearing, walking, balance, or speech, has clear fluid or blood from the ears, bruising behind the ears, weakness or numbness, a dent in the head, or a change in behaviour.
Source: NHS, Head injury and concussion
Get urgent medical advice, at sea through the coastguard, if they vomit, feel dizzy, take blood-thinning medicine, had alcohol, or you are worried. A minor head injury that you have been told does not need hospital still needs an adult nearby for the first 24 hours. Do not give alcohol. Do not give sleeping pills unless a doctor has advised them.
Source: NHS, Head injury and concussion
Suspect concussion if thinking or memory is off, or there is headache, visual change, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, seizure, sensitivity to light or noise, unusual emotion, sleepiness, or confusion. Stop them doing physical work on deck and get a health professional's advice.
Source: Resuscitation Council UK, First Aid Guidelines (2025)
Suspect a neck injury if they fell or dived from a height, were crushed by something heavy, or were in a sporting accident. A boom strike is that kind of blow. If they are awake, ask them to keep their own neck still in a comfortable position. Do not force the neck. If they are unresponsive and not breathing normally, airway and CPR come before immobilising the neck.
Source: Resuscitation Council UK, First Aid Guidelines (2025)
Get certified
A certificate used for commercial work or offshore racing comes from hands-on training with a recognised provider, for example an RYA First Aid course or STCW Elementary First Aid. This online course does not award that certificate, and it does not name or recommend a training centre.
Check your understanding
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1. After a boom hits a crew member, they will not wake up. What do you do?
2. They are awake after a minor bang and you have been told they can stay on board. What is still required?
3. They are confused and dizzy after the blow but breathing. What do you stop them doing?
4. They are unresponsive and not breathing after the boom strike. What comes first?