Question 1

A crew member has a tonic-clonic seizure on deck. What are the priorities during and after the seizure?

Accepted Answer

During: protect from injury (move hard objects, cushion head, do NOT restrain, do NOT put anything in mouth); after: place in recovery position when convulsions stop; time the seizure; if no prior epilepsy diagnosis or seizure lasts >5 minutes or repeats: transmit Pan Pan Seizure first aid: protect, do not restrain, do not put anything in the mouth (tongue-swallowing is a myth — the risk is from forced objects causing dental/jaw injuries). After: recovery position, check airway, monitor. Time the seizure. If the person is a known epileptic, has a rapid recovery, and has had this before: may not need emergency evacuation. If first-ever seizure, seizure >5 min, or repeated seizures without recovery (status epilepticus): Mayday and urgent evacuation.

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.