FIRST AID STEPSON BOARDBased from the International Medical Guide for Ships, 3rd Edition by the World Health Organization (2007)Prepared by: Raphael Fernandez, MD

04/12/2023FIRST AID STEPS ON BOARD 2

WHAT IS FIRST AID? First Aid is the provision

of initial care for an injury or an illness.

It is usually performed by a non-medical individual until medical treatment can be accessed.

Cropped image from http://thedkblog.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/first-aid-manual.jpg

04/12/2023FIRST AID STEPS ON BOARD 3

STEPSSTEP ONE: Assess the situation: what happened and is there still danger?

1. If giving first aid will expose you to danger, do not do it but call and go for help.

2. If a person is still in danger, remove either the person from the danger or the danger from the person before giving first aid

3. If bystanders are in danger, warn them.

Image: http://www.ffa.int/mcs/system/files/%252Fhome/ffaadmin/%252Ffiles/mcs/images/First%20Aid%20to%20Casualties.preview.jpg

04/12/2023FIRST AID STEPS ON BOARD 4

STEPSSTEP TWO: If you are alone, shout for help.

STEP THREE: Choose the best place for first aid.

1. On the spot?

1. No, if fire is present.

2. No, if dangerous gases are present

3. No, if there are hazards in the site of accident

2. In the ship’s infirmary or cabin?

1. No, if delay in moving the patient is dangerous. Image: http://

www.cybercruises.com/images/infirmary.jpg

04/12/2023FIRST AID STEPS ON BOARD 5

STEPSSTEP FOUR: If there are several injured people, prioritize

1. Attend first to any unconscious person

2. If there is more than one unconscious person:

1. Check each for pulse and breathing

2. Begin resuscitation of a person who is not breathing or has no detectable heart beat.

3. Attend to conscious patients

1. Apply direct pressure on bleeding wound.

2. Wait until patient has been moved to sick bay before dealing with other injuries. UNLESS you suspect spinal injury.

Tokyo Terrorist Attack 1995

http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/obj/nrc-cnrc/images/photos/200606triage-9.jpg

04/12/2023FIRST AID STEPS ON BOARD 6

STEPS What NOT to do when giving first

aid: DO NOT GIVE FIRST AID if you have

doubts about your ability to do first aid correctly.

DO NOT ENTER AN ENCLOSED SPACE unless you are sure it’s safe.

DO NOT MOVE THE PERSON without checking for:

Spinal injuries

Fractured long bones

DO NOT GIVE ANYTHING TO EAT OR DRINK (especially alcohol)

http://www.healthpm.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/first-aid-incident.jpg

04/12/2023FIRST AID STEPS ON BOARD 7

Thank You