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When a seafarer or fisher becomes sick or is injured at sea, it is up to one of their fellow crew members – known on merchant ships as the ‘person responsible for medical care’ – to provide medical relief until professional medical services can be reached. This person will have had limited medical training on shore, as required under the STCW Convention, but is not a fully-trained doctor. When confronted with a medical emergency far from land, the medical officer relies on Telemedical Assistance Services (TMAS), the medicines available in the on board medicine chest and the on board medical guide for support.
The International Medical Guide for Seafarers and Fishers has been written and reviewed by an international group of maritime medical practitioners and experts with many years' experience of working with seafarers and fishers and who understand what crew members need to know and when they need to know it.
This medical guide includes:
This flagship title features a foreword from Kitack Lim, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
Carriage of a medical guide on board is mandatory under the International Labour Organization’s Maritime Labour Convention (ILO MLC) and the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Seafarer Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Convention. The fishing industry requires proper medical care to be provided on board under the ILO Work in Fishing Convention, and medical training for those providing first aid care under the IMO STW-F 1995 Convention.
The International Medical Guide for Seafarers and Fishers has been designed to be used and kept: on board all ships, in onshore safety departments, in medical assistance centres and in training institutions who support seafarers and fishers.
Author | International Chamber of Shipping |
Publisher | Marisec |
Edition | First Edition |
Publication month | 2023 - March |
ISBN | 978-1-913997-13-7 |
Shipping Weight | g |
Foreword Introduction: How to use this book Abbreviations Section 1: Illnesses and medical problems 1 ABCDE: assess a sick patient 2 CPR and defibrillators 3 Choking 4 Breathing problems 5 Shock (circulatory collapse) 6 Major bleeding (haemorrhage) 7 Chest pain 8 Anaphylaxis and allergy 9 Seizures (fits) and convulsions 10 Headache 11 Loss of consciousness 12 Stroke (cerebrovascular accident) 13 Diabetes 14 Sepsis and infectious diseases 15 Acute abdominal pain 16 Heat-related illnesses 17 Drowning 18 Hypothermia and cold injuries 19 Poisoning 20 Acute eye problems 21 Acute ear, nose and throat (ENT) problems 22 Acute dental problems 23 Back pain 24 Joint pain 25 Urinary tract and male genital problems 26 Sexually transmitted infections 27 Gynaecological problems 28 Menstruation, pregnancy, miscarriage and childbirth 29 Common skin problems 30 Seasickness 31 Mental health issues 32 Alcohol, tobacco and drug misuse Section 2: Injuries and trauma 33 ABCDE: assess an injured patient 34 Head, face and eye injuries 35 Neck and spinal injuries 36 Chest injuries 37 Abdominal injuries 38 Pelvic and hip injuries 39 Injuries to bones, joints, muscles and other soft tissues 40 Wounds and bleeding 41 Burns 42 Bites and stings Section 3: Additional information 43 Assessing and managing pain 44 Practical procedures 45 Communicating with TMAS, and documentation 46 Moving a sick or injured patient 47 Medical assessment ashore 48 Medical evacuation 49 Continuing care 50 Care of others on board 51 Death on board 52 Officer responsible for medical care 53 Health risks on board 54 Anatomy and physiology 55 The International Health Regulations Section 4: Assessment forms and charts Fluid balance chart Medical assessment form Medication chart Observation chart Index |
The International Medical Guide for Seafarers and Fishers is a guide designed for non-medical professionals to help prepare them to handle medical emergencies when working at sea. This practical guide provides a useful complement to the International Medical Guide for Ships, produced by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Training and carriage requirements on medical guides are provided in relevant instruments of IMO and ILO, respectively. The importance of having access to medical care on board ships cannot be emphasised enough and medical guidelines are vital for ensuring proper knowledge and rapid response in medical emergencies. The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and International Maritime Organization (IMO) enjoy a close working relationship. ICS contributes significantly to IMO’s work through active participation at IMO meetings and publishing guidance in support of international regulations is evidence of that. This guide has been produced in collaboration with maritime medical professionals from leading organisations to address an industry need in a practical manner by means of an up-to-date medical guide to help improve the standards of medical care on board. As a former seafarer, I know first-hand how important it is that good medical care is available should any seafarers fall unwell on board a ship. In all situations that require medical attention, it is vital that the appropriate treatments, medicines and equipment are accessible, combined with the knowledge to handle any medical emergencies that may arise. In this guide, advice is presented in a user-friendly way so that the information is straightforward and easy to understand for those with limited medical training. The Medicine Chest section of the guide includes the latest and internationally available medicines and recommended contents for a ship’s medical bag, and portable action cards have been included for crew to carry and use in a medical situation. Seafarer welfare is of the utmost importance. Although it is always the hope that no one will require urgent medical care, we must ensure that seafarers are equipped with resources to aid them in tackling medical emergencies should they arise. Kitack Lim Secretary-General International Maritime Organization |