Question 1

A crew member gets diesel fuel or salt water splashed directly into their eye. What is the immediate treatment?

Accepted Answer

Irrigate immediately with large amounts of fresh water for at least 10–20 minutes — hold the eye open and flush from the inner corner outward; remove contact lenses if possible before or during irrigation Eye irrigation is the priority for chemical or foreign substance contamination. Fresh water, saline, or even clean drinking water for 10-20 minutes. Tilt head so the contaminated eye is lower — flush from inner corner to outer to avoid washing contaminant into the other eye. After irrigation: cover lightly with a clean pad, seek medical attention. Even mild diesel contamination can cause corneal damage if not irrigated promptly.

Question 2

A crew member recovered from cold water is shivering violently, confused, and pale. What stage of hypothermia is this and what is the correct treatment?

Accepted Answer

Mild to moderate hypothermia (core temp ~32–35°C) — remove wet clothing, insulate from wind and cold, warm with blankets and foil, give warm sweet drinks if conscious and no injury suspected, handle gently and do NOT rub limbs Shivering with confusion = mild-moderate hypothermia. Treatment: protect from environment; remove wet clothing (avoid vigorous movement — cold blood from extremities flushing to core can cause cardiac arrest); insulate; warm externally; do NOT rub limbs; give warm fluids only if conscious and uninjured. Severe hypothermia (rigid, no shivering) — treat as cardiac arrest, CPR may be needed.

Question 3

A near-drowning casualty has been recovered from the water. They are unconscious and not breathing. What is the immediate priority?

Accepted Answer

Start rescue breaths (5 initial breaths) immediately, then begin standard CPR (30 compressions : 2 breaths) — airway and breathing take priority as drowning is a hypoxic event Drowning is a hypoxic (oxygen deprivation) emergency. Unlike cardiac arrest in adults, rescue breaths are critical — give 5 initial rescue breaths, then 30:2 CPR. Continue until breathing resumes or help arrives. If on a vessel with no AED, focus on quality CPR with rescue breaths. Do NOT attempt to drain water from the lungs — it delays oxygenation and is ineffective.