⚠️ MedDeck is an educational and reference tool for seafarers. It does not replace professional medical advice, TMAS, a company doctor, or emergency services. In an emergency, seek appropriate medical assistance and follow your vessel's procedures.
EM-001
Unresponsive or abnormal breathing
Immediate life-threatening situation — activate assistance and follow vessel resuscitation procedures.
What should I do first?
- Ensure the scene is safe for you and others
- Check responsiveness — speak to the person and gently tap the shoulders
- If unresponsive, shout for help and activate emergency assistance per vessel procedures
- Check for normal breathing with a brief look, listen, and feel
- If not breathing normally, follow your vessel's CPR/AED procedure and current trained first-aid/resuscitation guidance
- Use an AED when available and when you are trained and authorized to use it
- Do not delay calling for emergency assistance while searching for a cause
What this may look like
- The person does not respond when spoken to or gently touched
- Breathing may be absent, very slow, irregular, or gasping
- May follow collapse, injury, illness, or an unknown cause
What should I check?
- Scene safety
- Responsiveness
- Normal versus abnormal breathing
- Obvious hazards or injuries
- Whether AED support and trained help are available
What should I avoid?
- Leaving the person alone if help is not yet on the way
- Delaying emergency assistance to look for a cause
- Moving the person unless necessary for immediate safety
When should I get medical assistance?
- Always — unresponsiveness or abnormal breathing is a medical emergency
- Contact your vessel's designated medical assistance/TMAS service according to vessel procedures
- Follow your vessel's emergency procedures
What information should I prepare for TMAS / medical assistance?
- What happened and when it started
- Responsiveness and breathing status
- Any visible injury or known medical history if available
- Actions taken so far
- Vessel position and communications details required by procedure
Related symptoms
Related equipment
Important safety note
- Reference guidance only — follow your vessel's approved procedures and trained resuscitation guidance
- Seek appropriate medical assistance immediately
⚠️ MedDeck is an educational and reference tool for seafarers. It does not replace professional medical advice, TMAS, a company doctor, or emergency services. In an emergency, seek appropriate medical assistance and follow your vessel's procedures.
MEDDECK
Before you continue
⚠️ MedDeck is an educational and reference tool for seafarers. It does not replace professional medical advice, TMAS, a company doctor, or emergency services. In an emergency, seek appropriate medical assistance and follow your vessel's procedures.