First Aid - is an immediate and temporary care given to a victim of all injury or sudden illness before the

services of a physician can be obtained.

- is the prompt efficient care of an individual whether injured or ill until medical assistance becomes
available.
- It is an art based on skills, knowledge, ability and experience to do any treatment to a victim of all injury
and illness before the presence of any responsible medical crew on board ships.
Rules of First Aid:
1. First aid bridges the gap between the victim and the physician.
2. First aid does not compete with the physician.
3. The service of the first aider ends when the service of the physician begins.
Objectives of First Aid:
1. To alleviate pain and human suffering.
2. To prolong life.
3. To prevent further injury or danger.
Characteristics of a Good First Aider:
1. Observant - should make notice all signs and symptoms
2. Resoureceful - should make the best use of thing at hand
3. Gentle - should not cause pain
4. Tactful - systematic and correct in giving first aid treatment, saying the right word, at the right time and
the right person.
5. Sympathetic - should be comforting
6. Cheerful - a happy expression inspires confidence
RULES FOR GIVING EMERGENCY CARE
Some Do's.
1. Be calm and deliberate.
2. Keep lookers or bystanders away from the victim or vice versa in order to provide adequate
ventilation to the victim, and to avoid confusion from wrong suggestions of bystanders.
3. Talk to the victim to comfort and reassure him. Tell him what first steps you are going to take and
how they can help him.
4. Loosen any tight or constricting clothing.
5. Protect the victim from unnecessary movement and disturbance.
6. Remain in-charge until the injured individual can be turned over to qualified persons namely, the
police, the rescue squad and the physician.
Some Dont's.
1. Don't try to arouse an unconscious person.
2. Don't give food and drink to an unconscious or partly conscious person because these may enter

the windpipe. Remove false teeth, tobacco or any foreign objects in the mouth.
3. Don't let the victim see his own injury.
4. Don't talk to bystanders about the condition of the victim.
5. Don't attempt to diagnose or judge the injuries or illness. Just care for what first aid the victim may
need.
Emergency Action Plan (E.A.P.)
1. Survey the Scene.
a. Plan
b. Gather needed materials
c. Instruct helpers
d. Carry out First Aid Procedures
2. Do the Primary Survey to the victim.
A. Respiratory Arrest
a. Airway open (maximum head tilt/chin lift maneuver)
b. Breathing restored (A.R. 5 seconds)
c. Circulation restored (CPR 10 seconds)
B. Severe Bleeding
B. 1. External Bleeding
B. 1.1. Direct Pressure
B. 1.2. Indirect Pressure
B. 1.3. Elevate
B. 1.4. Tourniquet
B. 2. Internal Bleeding
B. 2.1. I - ice application
B. 2.2. C - compression
B. 2.3. E - elevate
B. 2.4. S - splinting
C. Poisoning
3. A.M.A. (Active Medical Assistance)
- (short range) VHF channel 16 above 20 nautical miles offshore
- (medium range) SSB 2182 kHz above 20 nautical miles offshore
- (long range) GMDSS (Global Maritime Distress & Safety System)
- PAN-PAN CALL (Urgency Call) - for medical emergency and medical advice
4. Do a secondary survey to the victim (Conscious/Unconscious)
A. Interview the victim

Introduce yourself
Ask the victim's, address and person to contact
Ask for any pain or discomfort
Ask for any medication taken/allergies

B. Check for vital signs & symptoms:

Radial pulse
Respiration (1 minute)
Skin appearance
State of unconsciousness
Ability to move
Reaction to pain
C. Check for injuries (Head to toe examination)
Head (look and feel for cuts and bruises as well as other injuries
Check and compare pupil
Check for fluids or blood in ears, in nose, nose and mouth
Gently feel the side of the neck
Check and compare collar bone and shoulders
Press firmly on the hips
Check rib cage for pain
Press the abdomen
Check one arm/leg at a time
BODY STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONS
Definition of Terms:
Anatomy
Physiology

- is the science or study, which deals with the structure of the body
- is the science, which deals with function of the body

MUSCULO-SKELETAL SYSTEM
Skeleton
- composed of about 206 bones joined to each other loosely or firmly by means of
ligament and muscle.
Skull
- the largest bone of the skeletal system which protects the brain.
Femur
- the longest bone of the human skeleton.
Stirrups
- the smallest bone of all 206 bones of the skeletal system. It can be found at the
inner ear.
Functions of the Skeleton:
- Gives form to the body.
- Allows bodily movement.
- Provides protection of vital internal organs.
- Produces red blood cells.
- Serves as a reservoir for calcium, phosphorous and other important body chemical.

Joints
Ligaments
joint.
Tendon

- the place where the two cones come in contact.

- a band of fibrous tissues that connect bones to bones. It supports and strenghthens a
- a tough, ropelike cord of fibrous tissue that attached a skeletal muscle to the bone.

CIRCULATORY SYSTEM
- deals with the flow of blood. Its function is the circulation of the blood, which brings
nutrients to the body and eliminates waste products.
Components of the Circulatory System:
1. Heart - a hollow muscular organ about the size of man's fist. It is the central pump of the
circulatory system.
2. Lungs - most important organ of respiration wherein oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange places.
3. Blood - a red risky fluid having a faint odor and a salty taste.
4. Blood vessels
Two Types of Blood Systems:
1. ABO System
2. RH System
Types of Blood (ABO system):
a. "O" Universal donor ------"O"
b. "A" --------------------------"A","O"
c. "B" ---------------------------"B","O"
d. "AB" -------------------------"A","B","O","AB"
Four Components of Blood.
a. Red Blood Cell (RBC) or Erythrocytes
- carry oxygen to all parts of the body
b. White Blood Cells (WBC) or leukocytes
- soldiers of the body, fight infections
c. Plasma - liquid parts of the red blood, carry nutrients to the body.
d. Plateletes - aids in the blood clotting; help prevents hemorrhage.
Three Types of Bood Vessels:
a. Artery - carry oxygenated blood from the heart to all parts of the body.
b. Capillary - smallest blood vessel found at the junction of the artery and veins.
c. Veins - carry deoxygenated blood from all parts of the body going back to the heart for
oxygenation.