Apply resuscitation techniques
Governing: STCW Table A-VI/1-3; Resuscitation Council UK 2025 Adult Basic Life Support guidelines (27 October 2025). Builds on: L1.2.
Recognising cardiac arrest
RCUK 2025: if a person is unresponsive with abnormal breathing, assume cardiac arrest. Abnormal breathing includes slow, laboured breathing, agonal gasping and panting. Brief seizure-like movements can occur at collapse. Do not waste time searching for a pulse.
The sequence
- Safety: approach safely.
- Response: unresponsive?
- Call: RCUK 2025 moved this forward. Call 999 first for any unresponsive person, on speaker, then assess breathing while the call connects. On board: alert the bridge by radio immediately and send for the AED.
- Breathing: open the airway (head tilt, chin lift) and look, listen and feel. If not breathing normally, start CPR.
- CPR until the AED arrives.
- AED: switch on and follow the prompts.
- Continue until professional help takes over, the person shows signs of life (speaks, opens eyes, moves purposefully or breathes normally), or you are exhausted.
Chest compressions
| Element | RCUK 2025 adult standard |
|---|---|
| Hand position | Heel of one hand on the lower half of the sternum, other hand on top |
| Posture | Arms straight, shoulders vertically above the chest |
| Depth | At least 5 cm, not more than 6 cm |
| Rate | 100-120 per minute |
| Recoil | Let the chest come fully back up between compressions |
| Surface | Firm is best; do not move someone off a bed, compress deeper instead |
Rescue breaths
If trained and willing: 30 compressions, then 2 breaths. Give just enough air to make the chest start to rise; avoid over-ventilating. If you are not trained or not willing, give continuous compressions without interruption.
Use a pocket mask or face shield from the first aid kit if one is to hand, but do not delay compressions to find one.
TIP — Swap every two minutes Compressions done well are exhausting. With two or more rescuers, change over when the AED pauses for analysis, with minimal interruption.
The AED
- Anyone can use an AED. It will not shock unless a shockable rhythm is detected.
- Switch it on and follow the audio and visual prompts.
- Bare the chest. RCUK 2025: if a bra prevents correct pad placement, remove it. Dignity does not outweigh life.
- Pads: one below the right collarbone, one on the left side, with the lateral pad mid-axillary, directly below the armpit, as the pad diagrams show.
- Stand clear for analysis and shock.
- Resume CPR immediately after the shock or when told.
RCUK notes the risk of harm to rescuers from AED use is low, and the risk of harm to the casualty from CPR is low. Do not hesitate.
CAUTION — Wet decks Move the casualty out of standing water if you can, and dry the chest before applying pads. A wet deck does not stop you using an AED, but water pooling across the chest does affect it.
Children
Paediatric BLS differs, notably five initial rescue breaths. RCUK 2025 also advises front-and-back pad placement for children under 25 kg. If a yacht carries children regularly, ask whether the course covers paediatric BLS.
After a resuscitation
Resuscitation is traumatic for rescuers. RCUK 2025 recognises that lay rescuers may need support afterwards. Talk to someone.
WARNING — Drowning is different A drowned person's arrest is caused by lack of oxygen. After recovery from the water, RCUK 2025 advises five rescue breaths first, then standard CPR (L4.1).