Question 1

A crew member falls and has an obviously deformed, swollen, and painful lower leg. What is the correct first aid approach before help arrives?

Accepted Answer

Do not attempt to straighten or realign the limb; immobilise it in the position found using padding and splinting (improvised if necessary), support above and below the suspected fracture site, and monitor for signs of shock while awaiting further help A fracture should be immobilised in the position found, not realigned — attempting to straighten it can cause further tissue, nerve, or blood vessel damage. Splinting and padding above and below the injury site, then keeping the casualty still, is the correct STCW Elementary First Aid response while awaiting further medical care.

Question 2

You find a colleague collapsed on deck. Before anything else, what should you check, in order?

Accepted Answer

Danger (is the scene safe for you to approach?), Response (are they conscious — talk and gently shake), Airway, Breathing, Circulation — the standard DRABC primary survey DRABC is the universally taught primary survey sequence in STCW Elementary First Aid. Checking for danger first protects you from becoming a second casualty — a very real risk in machinery spaces, near live electrics, or in a confined space with bad air. Only after danger and response are checked do you move to airway, breathing, and circulation.

Question 3

A crew member has a deep laceration to the forearm that is bleeding heavily. What is the correct immediate action?

Accepted Answer

Apply firm, direct pressure to the wound with a clean dressing or cloth, and maintain it continuously — elevate the limb above heart level if possible and there is no suspected fracture Direct, continuous pressure stops the vast majority of severe external bleeding. A tourniquet is reserved for catastrophic, life-threatening limb bleeding that direct pressure cannot control — it is a last resort, not a first response, because of the risk to the limb if left on too long. Washing a heavily bleeding wound before controlling the bleeding wastes critical time.