First Aid and Firefighting
First aid fundamentals
Know the primary survey: danger, response, airway, breathing, circulation. Understand CPR ratios and the use of an AED. Learn how to manage bleeding, burns, fractures, hypothermia and drowning. Understand the recovery position and when not to use it. Know how to treat a head injury, suspected spinal injury and shock. Understand the contents of a marine first aid kit and how to call for medical advice by radio.
Firefighting
Understand the fire triangle and the classes of fire. Know which extinguisher applies to each class: water for solids, foam for liquids, CO2 for electrical and liquids, dry powder as a multi-purpose option. Learn the pass technique: pull, aim, squeeze, sweep. Understand the difference between smothering, cooling and starving a fire. Know the procedure for an engine room fire and for a galley fire.
Traps
- Using water on a fuel or electrical fire.
- Forgetting to check breathing before starting compressions.
- Moving a casualty with a suspected spinal injury unnecessarily.
- Opening an engine compartment that is on fire, which feeds oxygen.
Worked rule of thumb
For any fire question, first identify the fuel class, then choose the agent, then apply the technique. For any casualty question, follow danger, response, airway, breathing, circulation before treating injuries.