Proficiency in Elementary First Aid, for Seafarers

Proficiency in Elementary First Aid Course complies with the regulation VI/1, in accordance with the Section A-VI/1-3 of the STCW Code. The STCW Convention, also known as the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, is one of the most important regulations for merchant mariners.

The syllabus for this course was derived from the IMO Model Course 1.13.

The STCW Convention requires all personnel engaged on seagoing training complies with mandatory minimum requirements for safety familiarization, basic training.

Course is subdivided into various parts such as:-

1.     General Principles

2.     Body Structure and functions

3.     Positioning of casualty

4.     Unconscious casualty

5.     Resuscitation

6.     Bleeding

7.     Management of Shock

8.    Burns and Scalds and accidents caused by electricity

9.    Rescue and transport of casualty

10.  Various dressings and bandaging videos

11.   Other topics

12.  Assessment

It is of paramount importance that all seafarers learn the Elementary First Aid Course as no one knows when an accident takes place onboard. We all know that for a seafarer to function safely at sea, he or she requires a clean bill of health. Thereafter maintaining your health is your own responsibility. Eating a healthy balanced diet, regular exercises, no smoking and not consuming alcohol can help a seafarer to have a clean bill of health while you are onboard.

However at times by not observing personal safety and being careless anyone can have an injury or accident. While executing your daily activities safely, you can easily have injuries from cuts, burns, falls, lifting weights etc.

For this reason every crew member has to be qualified with a valid First Aid Certificate, so that first aid could be given to anyone who is injured.

Various Video clips have been included with following topics

• Healthy living at sea

• Fractures and fracture management

• Sprains and Strains

• Spinal injury

• 14 differnt types of bandaging

• CPR

• slings and braces

The assessment consists of a question paper with 40 multi Choice Questions.

During my days of sailing I practiced various bandaging techniques with Cadets, deck engine and catering ratings during freetime.

I sincerely hope this course will deliver the required knowledge to the students.