⚠️ 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?🎓 LRN-001 · 5-minute lesson · ~5 min read
First Aid Awareness
Core first-aid mindset for seafarers — safety, help, and when to escalate.
WHY THIS MATTERS
- On a ship, professional help may be far away and the first person on scene is often a crewmate.
- Basic first-aid awareness helps you protect yourself and others without turning a situation into something worse.
KNOW THIS
- First aid means immediate, practical help before qualified medical care is available.
- Scene safety comes first — you cannot help if you become injured too.
- Calling for help early is part of good first aid, not a last resort.
- Your role is to support and monitor — not to replace vessel procedures or professional care.
RECOGNIZE IT
- A person may need first-aid awareness when someone is injured, suddenly unwell, or in distress.
- Common situations include falls, cuts, burns, chest discomfort, breathing difficulty, or collapse.
- These signs can have many causes — stay calm and follow vessel procedures.
AT SEA
- Incidents may happen on deck, in the engine room, galley, or accommodation during routine work or watches.
- Noise, motion, heat, and fatigue can make assessment harder — get a clear handover from witnesses.
- Know how your vessel raises the alarm and contacts medical assistance.
REMEMBER
- 🛡️ Check the scene is safe before you approach.
- 📞 Raise the alarm and get help according to vessel procedures.
- 👀 Support the person and watch for changes — do not guess what is wrong.
- 🚨 Use WHAT SHOULD I DO FIRST? when a situation may be urgent.
EXPLORE MEDDECK
- Open First Aid Basics (MED-001) for reference detail.
- Browse emergency categories if someone may need urgent help.
- Review Preparing Information for Medical Assistance (MED-035) before calling for support.
Related emergency pathways
Related medical knowledge
⚠️ 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.