STCW First Aid at Sea 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A casualty has suffered burns to both arms after a steam pipe rupture. Using the Rule of Nines, what percentage of the body surface area (BSA) is affected?
- 9%
- 18% (Correct answer)
- 27%
- 36%
Correct answer: 18%
Each arm represents 9% BSA, so both arms together account for 18% BSA under the Rule of Nines.
Question 2: What is the correct initial management of a minor thermal burn at sea?
- Apply butter or oil to soothe the burn
- Cool the burn with running cool water for at least 10–20 minutes (Correct answer)
- Break any blisters to prevent infection
- Cover immediately with a dry pressure bandage
Correct answer: Cool the burn with running cool water for at least 10–20 minutes
Cooling with running cool water for 10–20 minutes reduces tissue damage and pain without the risks of butter/oil or blister rupture.
Question 3: When documenting a casualty's neurological status, the AVPU scale is used. What does the letter 'P' represent?
- Pain — responds only to painful stimuli (Correct answer)
- Pulse — peripheral pulse is present
- Position — casualty is postured
- Pupils — pupillary response is normal
Correct answer: Pain — responds only to painful stimuli
In the AVPU scale, 'P' means the casualty responds to Pain but not to voice, indicating a reduced level of consciousness.
Question 4: A crew member has inhaled toxic fumes in the engine room. He is conscious but coughing severely. What is the FIRST action?
- Administer oxygen at 15 L/min via non-rebreather mask
- Remove the casualty to fresh air immediately (Correct answer)
- Give water to drink to dilute the inhaled toxin
- Place in the recovery position and monitor
Correct answer: Remove the casualty to fresh air immediately
Removing the casualty from the toxic atmosphere to fresh air is the immediate priority before any other treatment.
Question 5: A casualty is drowning and is brought aboard unresponsive but with a pulse. What is the immediate priority?
- Start full CPR with compressions and ventilations
- Provide rescue breaths only while maintaining a pulse (Correct answer)
- Place in recovery position and monitor closely
- Administer high-flow oxygen via bag-valve-mask only
Correct answer: Provide rescue breaths only while maintaining a pulse
In drowning victims with a pulse but no breathing, rescue breaths (ventilation only) are the priority without the need for compressions.
Question 6: Which sign best indicates that a casualty is going into hypovolemic shock following blood loss?
- Slow, bounding pulse with flushed warm skin
- Rapid weak pulse, pale cool clammy skin, and falling blood pressure (Correct answer)
- High blood pressure with a strong regular pulse
- Bradycardia with warm dry skin
Correct answer: Rapid weak pulse, pale cool clammy skin, and falling blood pressure
Hypovolemic shock is characterized by a rapid weak pulse, pallor, cool clammy skin, and progressive hypotension as blood volume falls.
Question 7: What is the maximum safe depth of chest compressions for an adult casualty during CPR?
- 2–3 cm (1 inch)
- 3–4 cm (1.5 inches)
- 5–6 cm (2–2.4 inches) (Correct answer)
- 7–8 cm (3 inches)
Correct answer: 5–6 cm (2–2.4 inches)
Guidelines recommend compressing the adult chest 5–6 cm (approximately 2–2.4 inches) — deeper than 6 cm increases injury risk without added benefit.
STCW First Aid at Sea 4
A casualty has suffered burns to both arms after a steam pipe rupture.
Using the Rule of Nines, what percentage of the body surface area (BSA) is affected?