⚠️ 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.
🚨 Need urgent help?
What should I do first?MED-001
First Aid Basics
Core first-aid awareness for seafarers — safety, help, and escalation.
What should I do now?
- Ensure scene safety for yourself and others
- Obtain help and assess whether an emergency pathway applies
- Provide care within your training and vessel procedures
- Monitor the person and avoid actions that may cause additional harm
What is it?
- First aid is immediate care given after injury or sudden illness before professional help is available
Why it matters onboard
- Ships may be hours or days from shore medical facilities
- Trained responders and clear escalation protect crew and reduce harm
Common signs / things you may notice
- An incident has occurred — injury, illness, or a person appears seriously unwell
Common contributing factors
- Unfamiliar tasks, fatigue, motion, heat, tools, and confined spaces increase incident risk at sea
Prevention / risk reduction
- Know vessel emergency procedures and how to call for help
- Maintain basic first-aid training appropriate to your role
- Keep work areas orderly and use PPE as required
When should I seek medical assistance?
- Use 🚨 WHAT SHOULD I DO FIRST? when life-threatening signs are present
- Seek appropriate medical assistance if symptoms are severe, worsening, persistent, unusual, or associated with concerning signs
- Contact your vessel's designated medical assistance/TMAS service according to vessel procedures
What information should I prepare?
- When symptoms began and how they have changed
- Relevant injury, exposure, heat, cold, or motion if applicable
- Other symptoms present at the same time
- Actions taken so far and current overall condition
- Relevant medical history volunteered by the person
Related symptoms
Related emergency pathways
Related learning
Important safety note
- This is practical reference information — not a substitute for professional medical advice
- Many conditions can look similar; professional assessment may be needed
- Detailed resuscitation steps belong in emergency pathway records, not this overview
⚠️ 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.