1. Why do I need such a wide range of medications? Can't some of these be left out?

2. Is it safe to have injectable drugs onboard?

3. We only go a short distance off shore; Do we really need this?

4. I have no formal training. How can I use these supplies?

5. Why do we need oxygen?

6. Why do we need a Defibrillator?

7. Why do we need a "Suction Device" or a "CPR Plus" device?

8. Why is a stretcher necessary?

 

 

1. Qu... Why do I need such a wide range of medications? Can't some of these be left out?

Answer - No! The range of emergency drugs have been selected to give a thorough coverage for serious conditions, they are both safe and effective. Omitting non-emergency drugs would leave gaps in treatment potential and may allow a minor condition to escalate to a more serious one, or give the sufferer unnecessary discomfort or pain.
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2. Qu... Is it safe to have injectable drugs onboard?

Answer - Ideally injection techniques should be learnt in an official medical course.
(MCA Medical Courses) But giving an injection can be essential to the survival or future health of a patient and it is often not possible to defer the treatment. Even without formal training injections can be taught over the radio as well as using diagrams and videos. If, for example, the patient has a condition such as anaphylactic shock (allergy shock), meningitis, appendicitis, severe vomiting, heart attack etc., both the facility to give injections and injectable medicines are essential under guidance.
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3. Qu... We only go a short distance off shore; Do we really need this?

Answer - The distance from shore is irrelevant. The important aspect to consider is the time from adequate medical attention. Most serious conditions require treatment of some nature within minutes. (see Question 2 and Question 5)
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4. Qu... I have no formal First Aid or Medical Training. How can I use the supplies?

Answer - In the MCA Courses we teach here, we emphasize the triad of requirement necessary for medical safety at sea.

1. Making an assessment of the situation, this can be learnt, but also it is possible for the untrained using the OMI Patient Stabilization and Assessment Guide.
2. The presence onboard of wide ranging medical supplies and accompanying instructions on their use.
3. Making an assessment of the situation, which should be learned, is also possible for untrained personnel to conduct using the OMI Patient Stabilization and Assessment Guide.

* If one of these parts is omitted from the system, safety and health of the patient may not be helpful or effective.
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5. Qu... Why do we need oxygen?

Answer - Oxygen is one of the most useful emergency treatments available. It is required in many situations, especially to stabilize a patient in a serious situation. Oxygen will nearly always improve the condition of patients with the following conditions: Any cause of Breathlessness, (Asthma, Heart attack, drowning, smoke inhalation etc). Unconsciousness (due to blood loss, severe allergy, asphyxiation, head injury, stroke, hypothermia etc). Severe illness (peritonitis, appendicitis, meningitis, severe infection, blood loss). Convulsions (diabetes, epilepsy etc). Diving problems (essential). See Oxygen Oxygen buys you time, it is essential!
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6. Why do we need a Defibrillator?

Answer - Automatic Defibrillators are safe and very effective. If someone suffers a 'Cardiac Arrest' (1000 cases per day in the US); no amount of CPR resuscitation will save the life of the patient. This will only conserve the oxygenation of the vital areas for up to 20 minutes (unless the patient is hypothermic). The only way to save the life is a controlled defibrillation. These units are being installed in aircraft, shopping centres etc and are saving lives every day. When are you ever within 20 minutes of a defibrillator? Each 1 minute that passes without defibrillation reduces the patients chance of survival by 10%. See defibrillators
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7. Why do we need a "Suction Device" or a "CPR Plus" device?

Answer - To deal with an unconscious patient properly, the ability to clear the airway is necessary. A blocked airway may occur if the patient suffers a cardiac arrest, convulsion, drowning etc . The CPR plus device allows the patient to receive CPR at the correct rate and the correct depth of chest compression, optimizing the chances of response to defibrillation and avoiding injury.
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8. Why is a stretcher necessary?

Answer - To remove an injured, immobile or unconscious patient from most vessels is impossible safely without a rescue stretcher. The narrowness of passageways and hatches require a rescue stretcher or the patient may be injured further.
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