Question 1

Two crew members below decks both develop headache, dizziness, and nausea simultaneously. The engine and cabin heater are running. What should you suspect?

Accepted Answer

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning — multiple casualties with similar symptoms is a key indicator. Immediately ventilate the vessel (open all hatches), move all persons to fresh air on deck, stop all combustion sources, transmit Pan Pan, and seek medical advice; CO is odourless and colourless CO poisoning: "the silent killer" — odourless, colourless, rapidly incapacitating. Classic pattern: multiple people simultaneously unwell, especially below decks with combustion sources running. Symptoms: headache, dizziness, nausea (early); confusion, vomiting (moderate); unconsciousness, cardiac arrest (severe). Action: fresh air immediately, stop combustion sources, Mayday. CO binds haemoglobin 200x more tightly than oxygen — even recovered-looking casualties need medical assessment. Fit a CO alarm in the accommodation.

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.