Question 1

A crew member is stung by a jellyfish in UK waters. The sting is painful with visible tentacle fragments. What is the correct treatment?

Accepted Answer

Remove visible tentacles with a card or gloved fingers (do not rub or use bare hands); rinse with seawater (not fresh water — osmotic pressure causes unfired nematocysts to discharge); apply heat (hot water 45°C) if available; apply lidocaine gel for pain; watch for signs of anaphylaxis UK jellyfish sting management: 1) Remove tentacles carefully without rubbing (unfired nematocysts discharge on pressure/friction). 2) Rinse with seawater — fresh water causes osmotic discharge of remaining nematocysts. 3) Hot water immersion (as hot as bearable, ~45°C) denatures the venom protein and provides significant pain relief. 4) Lidocaine topical gel. Note: vinegar is correct for Box jellyfish (tropical) but not for UK species. Watch for anaphylaxis, especially in previously sensitised individuals.

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.