First Aid appears to be a low priority for most holidaymakers. A survey for St John Ambulance found that only 16% of all those packing for their fortnight in the sun put in a First Aid kit, and only 3% considered it their most important item.

Those who did take one were confused about how it might come in useful - 21% thought that rubber gloves were more important than taking headache, diarrhoea and travel sickness remedies.

In a bid to restore travellers' perspectives, St John Ambulance has produced a handy leaflet, First Aid on Holiday, which would fit in the kit - with or without the rubber gloves.

The leaflet runs through the resuscitation sequence for adults and for children - ensuring there is no further danger, for instance from traffic after a pedestrian has been knocked down; checking for a response by calling to the casualty; and then the ABC of freeing the airway, easing breathing and giving mouth to mouth if necessary; and monitoring the circulation.

It explains the recovery position and what to do in the event of heart attack - aspirins in the First Aid kit come in useful for quick thinning of the blood. And it gives some useful tips on the more likely holiday hazards, such as diarrhoea, vomiting and bites and stings. A useful hint for somebody stung in the mouth or throat which could cause a swelling that blocks the airway - give the casualty ice to suck while you phone an ambulance.

In case of punctures by spiny sea creatures - put the injured part in water that is as hot as the patient can bear for at least 30 minutes, and then go to hospital for the removal of any remaining spikes. And after snake bites, do not apply a tourniquet, slash the wound with a knife or try to suck out the venom. Keep the casualty secure and warm and call for an ambulance.

• Copies of the guide are available free to all who send a stamped addressed envelope to First Aid on Holiday, St John Ambulance, 1 Grosvenor Crescent, London SW1X 7EF.