RED CRESCENT FIRST AID TIPS

Cramp
Cramp when swimming

1. Stop swimming, flip

onto your back and
float, paddling with
your hands and other
foot.

2. If the cramped muscle is at the front of your leg, point your toes and
straighten your leg. If the cramp is in your calf or the back of your
thigh, then turn your toes upwards and straighten your leg. If possible,
use your hands to pull your foot up.
3. When the cramp disappears, swim to shore using a different stroke
to prevent the cramp from recurring. Vary your strokes if you can.
Helping a cramp sufferer
1. Cramp in the foot

Holding the victim, get him to stand with

his weight to the front of the affected
foot, pivoting on the ball to stretch the
toes. Once the cramp has passed,
massage the affected foot.

2. Cramp in the thigh

Tell the victim to lie on his back.

For a cramp in the back of the
thigh, raise the leg and straighten
the knee. If the cramp is at the
front of the thigh, bend the knee
and massage the muscles on top
of the thigh.

3. Cramp in the calf

Tell the victim to lie on his back. Press

the foot steadily towards the shin,
massaging the muscles at the back of
the calf as you do so.

Presented jointly by Malaysian Red Crescent Society and the Malaysian media in
conjunction with the "First Aider in Every Home" campaign. Call 03-4578122