Seafarers
FIRST AID ON BOARD
First aid is treatment aimed at preventing the death or further damage to health of an ill or
injured person perceived to be in a life-threatening condition. All crew members should receive
training in fi rst aid.
Step 1 Assess the situation: what do think happened and is there still danger?
(a) If giving fi rst aid will expose you to danger, do not do it: call or go for help.
(b) If a person is still in danger, remove the danger or the person before giving fi rst aid.
(c) If bystanders are in danger, warn them.
Step 2 If you are alone, shout for help.
Step 3 Choose the best place for fi rst aid.
(a) On the spot?
■ Not if fi re is present.
■ Not if there are potentially dangerous gases in the atmosphere.
■ Not if there are other risks at the site of the accident.
(b) In the ship’s infi rmary (sick-bay) or in a cabin?
■ Not if the delay in moving the person is dangerous.
Step 4 If there are several injured people, prioritize.
(a) Attend fi rst to any unconscious person.
(b) If there is more than one unconscious person:
■ check each for pulse and breathing;
■ begin resuscitation of a person who is not breathing or has no detectable
heart beat (see below, C ardio- pulmonary resuscitation).
(c) Attend to conscious patients:
■ treat bleeding by applying pressure to the wound;
■ wait until the patient has been moved to the sick bay before dealing with
other injuries, UNLESS you suspect spinal injury (see below, What to do in
the case of spinal injury).
What not to do when giving fi rst aid
■ DO NOT GIVE FIRST AID if you have doubts about your ability to do so c orrectly.
■ DO NOT ENTER AN ENCLOSED SPACE unless you are sure it is safe.
■ DO NOT MOVE THE PERSON without checking for:
● spinal injuries
● fractured long bones.
■ DO NOT GIVE THE PATIENT ANYTHING TO EAT OR DRINK (especially al cohol).
THE ABC SEQUENCE OF BASIC LIFE SUPPORT
Note
■ Basic life support is a sequence of actions aimed at resuscitating a person whose
life is in danger.
For further information
Dr.Ashok Kapoor 00971504505865 www.getwelluae.com