Elements and Performance Criteria

General context
Work must be carried out in compliance with relevant maritime regulations and established first aid procedures.

First aid is administered in accordance with established procedures pending the arrival of qualified medical assistance, with limited accountability and responsibility for self and others in achieving the prescribed outcomes. It involves the application of a knowledge of the basic techniques required to provide first aid to crew and/or passengers during a real or simulated first aid situation on board a vessel.

Work requires appropriate skill in recognising and confirming the nature and extent of injury or illness and the provision of first aid within the limits of responsibility of the person concerned. First aid may need to be provided in remote situations.

Worksite environment
Vessel may include any Australian or international commercial vessel.

First aid procedures may be carried out:
by day or night in both normal and emergency situations
under any possible conditions of weather and sea
while underway
when at anchor
when moored.

First aid on board a vessel may need to be provided in situations involving:
acute illness and/or injury
laceration, abrasion and a deep puncture wounds
respiratory failure and breathing difficulty
shock as a result of severe injury
abdominal, pelvic and chest injuries
fractures of limbs
poisoning, bites and stings
sprains, strains and dislocations
facial, ear and eye injuries
suspected head, neck and back injuries.

Conditions requiring special first aid procedures may include:
explosion injuries
burns
poisons and envenomation
hypothermia and hyperthermia.

First aid resources may include:
vessel's medicine cabinet
first aid boxes
emergency first aid carry bags
specific first aid resources such as:
roller bandages
triangular bandages
splints (improvisable)
face shields
face masks
cleaning swabs
cleaning brush
cleaning solution
non adhesive dressings.

Sources of information/documents
Documentation/records may include:
relevant sections of maritime regulations dealing with the administration of l first aid on board a vessel
'Australian First Aid', The Authorised Manual of St John Ambulance Australia,( Melbourne) Australia .Latest Edition (or equivalent)
company and vessel safety and first aid policy and procedures
instructions of relevant maritime and health authorities related to the administration of first aid of crew and passengers on board a vessel.

Applicable International, Australian and State/Territory regulations and legislation
Applicable procedures and codes may include:
relevant sections of IMO STCW 95 Code and Convention concerning first aid requirements
relevant sections of AMSA Marine Orders concerning first aid requirements
relevant sections of the Australian USL Code concerning first aid requirements
relevant regulations of State/Territory marine authorities dealing with first aid
Australian and State/Territory OHS legislation.

Critical aspects of evidence to be considered
Assessment must confirm appropriate knowledge and skills to:
Perform immediate life saving first aid
Recognise the symptoms and signs of acute illness and/or injury and take appropriate action
Manage wounds and bleeding
Manage burns
Manage bone, joint and muscle injuries
Adapt First Aid procedures for remote situations
Communicate effectively with others during provision of first aid
Report on first aid situations and activities in accordance with company and regulatory requirements.

Interdependent assessment of units
This unit of competency may be assessed in conjunction with other units that form part of a job role of any seafarer. (It is a mandatory requirement for all seagoing personnel)

Required knowledge and skills
Sections of relevant maritime regulations dealing with first aid at sea
ISM Safety Management System procedures (where applicable) dealing with first aid
First aid situations that may occur on board a vessel and appropriate first aid action, treatments and solutions
Relevant OH&S and health legislation and procedures
The priorities of First Aid Care
First aid duties and responsibilities of personnel on board a vessel
Established first aid procedures consistent with 'St John Ambulance National Senior Level First Aid Certificate' or 'Level 2 First Aid Certificate'
Shipboard first aid procedures for:
conducting an initial patient first aid assessment
managing injuries
carrying out resuscitation techniques
reporting on first aid situations and action taken
Techniques for management and care of casualties in various first aid situations including:
acute illness and/or injury
wounds and bleeding
burns
bone, joint and muscle injuries
Causes of respiratory failure and breathing difficulty
The DRABC action plan for the identification and control of danger, loss of consciousness, loss of airway, breathing and circulation
Correct methods of Expired Air Resuscitation (EAR), External Cardiac Compression (ECC)and Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation(CPR)
The symptoms and signs of:
the most common causes of unconsciousness
poisoning, bites and stings
sprains and strains
fractures (simple and complicated)
dislocated joints
head, neck and back injuries
severe internal bleeding
abdominal, pelvic and chest injuries
shock as a result of severe injury
angina pain, heart attack and heart failure
burns and associated shock
The safety precautions needed to prevent accidents, illness and injuries and infection in remote area situations
Knowledge of body structures and functions relevant to possible injury and illnesses that may be encountered on board a vessel
Communication techniques related to the provision of first aid
Marine publications containing information on first aid treatment on board a vessel.

Resource implications
Access is required to opportunities to either:
participate in a range of role plays, case studies and other simulated practical and knowledge assessments that demonstrate the skills and knowledge to provide first aid to injured or ill crew and passengers, and/or
assist in the real or simulated first aid procedures on board an operational vessel.

Note: Simulated first aid situations and assessments may require access to resuscitation manikins, auxiliary resuscitation items, disposable gloves, slings, water squeeze bottle or tap, roller bandages, triangular bandages, splints (improvisable), face shields, face masks, cleaning swabs, cleaning brush, cleaning solution, disposable lungs and airways, samples of non adhesive dressings, pictures of venomous animals/insects or preserved specimens, and blankets pillows and towels.

Consistency in performance
Applies underpinning knowledge and skills when:
performing immediate life saving first aid
recognising the symptoms and signs of acute illness and/or injury and taking appropriate action
managing wounds and bleeding
managing burns
managing bone, joint and muscle injuries
adapting first aid procedures for remote situations.

Shows evidence of application of relevant workplace procedures including:
relevant sections of maritime regulations dealing with first aid
OHS regulations and first aid instructions and procedures
vessel safety procedures.

Action taken promptly to report and/or manage injuries and first aid in accordance with statutory requirements and company procedures.

Work is completed systematically with required attention to detail.

Context for assessment
Assessment of competence must comply with the assessment requirements of the relevant maritime regulations.

Assessment of this unit must be undertaken within relevant marine authority approved and audited arrangements by a registered training organisation:
As a minimum, assessment of knowledge must be conducted through appropriate written/oral examinations
Appropriate practical assessment must occur:
at the registered training organisation, and/or
on an appropriate working or training vessel.