Human Element, Medical First Aid and Survival at Sea
What the exam tests
This domain links fatigue and human performance with medical first aid and survival physiology, testing whether a candidate can manage people, not only equipment.
Core rules
- Fatigue is managed through STCW rest hours, sensible watch rotation, adequate manning and reporting of excessive workload.
- Human performance depends on situational awareness, communication, leadership, teamwork and a just culture that encourages reporting errors.
- Medical first aid follows the ABC approach: airway, breathing and circulation, with CPR and early use of an AED where available.
- Radio medical advice should be sought for serious illness or injury; treatment and advice are recorded.
- Survival at sea requires conserving body heat, avoiding unnecessary movement, assuming the HELP position in water and boarding the survival craft when possible.
- Hypothermia should be rewarmed gradually; suspected spinal injury should not be moved unnecessarily.
Worked example
A crew member collapses in the mess room and is unresponsive. Check danger and response, shout for help, open the airway, check breathing and circulation, and start CPR if absent. Send for the AED and first-aid kit, call the master and request radio medical advice. Do not give fluids to an unconscious person or move a suspected spinal injury unless there is immediate danger. Record times, observations and treatment.
Traps
Ignoring fatigue because the rest-hour form is signed; giving fluids to an unconscious casualty; rewarming hypothermia too quickly; moving a suspected spinal injury; failing to document medical advice and treatment.