Seasickness, dehydration, chest pain, seizure and allergy

Seasickness is dizziness, nausea, vomiting, headache, looking pale, and sweating, brought on by the boat's motion. Sit nearer the middle of the boat, look at the horizon, get fresh air, and breathe slowly. Avoid heavy meals and alcohol. Ginger as a biscuit or tea is one option the NHS describes. Do not read or watch a screen.

Source: NHS, Motion sickness

Dehydration is losing more fluid than you take in. Thirst, headache, dark strong urine, a dry mouth, and tiredness are clues. Drink fluids. If they are vomiting, use small sips and build up. Avoid alcohol and caffeine. Serious dehydration can look like shock: cold or blotchy skin, fast breathing, confusion, or being hard to wake. That needs an emergency call.

Source: NHS, Dehydration

For chest pain that could be cardiac, reassure the person, sit or lie them comfortably, call for emergency help, and stay with them. UK first aid guidance includes helping an adult who is not allergic to aspirin to take aspirin, and helping someone with known angina use their own spray or tablets. This course does not state a dose. Ask the coastguard doctor or the ambulance call handler to confirm any medicine before you give it.

Source: Resuscitation Council UK, First Aid Guidelines (2025)

If someone with diabetes is awake, able to swallow, and suddenly confused or behaving oddly, give 15 to 20 grams of glucose tablets if you have them. If not, use a handful of sugary sweets or about 50 to 100 ml of fruit juice. Repeat if they are no better after 15 minutes. After they recover, a small snack helps. If they are unresponsive, do not put anything in the mouth. Call for help and use the recovery position if they are breathing and it is otherwise appropriate.

Source: Resuscitation Council UK, First Aid Guidelines (2025)

During a seizure, move them only if they are in danger, such as against the galley stove. Cushion the head, loosen tight clothing at the neck, and time the seizure. When the jerking stops, put them on their side. Do not put anything in the mouth. Call for emergency help if it is their first seizure, if it lasts more than 5 minutes and you do not know their usual length, if they do not wake between seizures, if they are badly injured, or if breathing is difficult afterwards. Give emergency epilepsy medicine only if you have been trained on that person's plan.

Source: NHS, What to do if someone has a seizure (fit)

Suspect anaphylaxis with breathing difficulty, wheeze or noisy breathing, a rash or faintness, tummy pain, vomiting or diarrhoea, especially after a food or a sting. Call for help. Lie them down unless breathing is easier sitting up with the legs out straight. Help them use their own adrenaline auto-injector in the outer thigh. If serious symptoms are still there after 5 minutes, a second injector can go in the other leg. Do not state or invent a milligram dose.

Source: Resuscitation Council UK, First Aid Guidelines (2025)