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NIMASA STCW EFA study materials
NIMASA STCW EFA study resources

NIMASA STCW EFA: Elementary First Aid (STCW EFA)

NIMASA STCW EFA · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.

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Elementary First Aid (STCW EFA)

Elementary First Aid (EFA) is the STCW basic-safety competence in Regulation VI/1 and Code Table A-VI/1-3. The NIMASA exam tests immediate non-medical action at sea: scene safety, ABC, CPR, bleeding control, recovery position, burns, fractures, shock, hypothermia, drowning, first-aid kit use and radio medical advice. It rewards correct sequence and safe limits.

Core rules

  • Make the scene safe, call for help and send for the first-aid kit and AED.
  • If unresponsive and not breathing normally, start CPR: 30 compressions to 2 breaths, 100–120/min, adult depth 5–6 cm, full recoil.
  • If unconscious but breathing normally and no spinal injury is suspected, use the recovery position and monitor.
  • Control severe bleeding with direct pressure; add dressings rather than removing soaked ones. A tourniquet is only for life-threatening limb bleeding not controlled by pressure.
  • Cool burns with running water for at least 20 minutes; never apply ice, butter or ointments or burst blisters.
  • Immobilise suspected fractures; do not straighten the limb. For shock, lie the casualty flat, raise the legs, keep warm and give nothing by mouth.
  • Handle hypothermia gently, remove wet clothing and insulate; do not rub limbs or give alcohol. For drowning, start rescue breathing/CPR; do not drain water.

Worked example

A deckhand collapses. You make the scene safe, shout for help and confirm he is unresponsive. He gives occasional gasps but is not breathing normally. You send for the AED and kit, give two rescue breaths and start 30:2 CPR at 100–120/min. The AED arrives; attach it and follow prompts. When normal breathing returns, place him in the recovery position, keep him warm and monitor while radio medical advice is obtained. Reasoning: agonal gasps are not normal breathing, so CPR and early AED take priority; recovery position is for a breathing casualty.

Traps that cost marks

  • Do not spend time checking a pulse; agonal gasps are not breathing.
  • Never give food or drink to an unconscious, shocked or seriously injured casualty.
  • Do not remove an impaled object-pad around it.
  • Do not induce vomiting after poisoning; get radio medical advice.