STCW First Aid at Sea 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A crew member is found unconscious with a suspected drug overdose. He is breathing shallowly. What position should he be placed in?
- Supine with legs elevated
- Recovery (lateral) position (Correct answer)
- Sitting upright
- Prone position
Correct answer: Recovery (lateral) position
The recovery position maintains the airway, prevents aspiration of vomit, and allows ongoing monitoring of breathing in an unconscious patient.
Question 2: When treating a casualty for hypothermia, which action should be AVOIDED?
- Removing wet clothing carefully
- Insulating with blankets
- Vigorously rubbing the extremities to generate warmth (Correct answer)
- Moving the casualty gently to a warm environment
Correct answer: Vigorously rubbing the extremities to generate warmth
Vigorous rubbing causes peripheral vasodilation and can trigger a rush of cold blood to the core (afterdrop), worsening hypothermia or causing cardiac arrest.
Question 3: A casualty has a penetrating abdominal wound with protruding intestines (evisceration). What is the correct first aid?
- Push the organs back into the abdominal cavity gently
- Cover organs with a moist sterile dressing and do not attempt to replace them (Correct answer)
- Apply a tight abdominal bandage over the wound
- Leave the wound exposed to avoid contaminating the organs
Correct answer: Cover organs with a moist sterile dressing and do not attempt to replace them
Protruding organs must be covered with a moist sterile dressing to prevent drying and contamination, but must never be pushed back.
Question 4: A casualty has a fishhook deeply embedded in the palm. Which statement about first aid management is correct?
- Remove the hook by pulling it out the way it entered
- Leave the hook in place, immobilize, cover, and seek medical advice (Correct answer)
- Cut the hook with wire cutters and push the barb through for removal
- Apply antiseptic and wrap tightly to compress the hook flush
Correct answer: Leave the hook in place, immobilize, cover, and seek medical advice
An embedded fishhook with a barb should be left in place, the limb immobilized, and professional removal sought to avoid further tissue damage.
Question 5: Which of the following is a sign of a basilar skull fracture that a first aider should recognize?
- Bilateral arm weakness and confusion only
- Battle's sign (bruising behind the ear) and raccoon eyes (periorbital bruising) (Correct answer)
- Localized scalp swelling without other findings
- Ringing in the ears without any visible injury
Correct answer: Battle's sign (bruising behind the ear) and raccoon eyes (periorbital bruising)
Battle's sign (mastoid bruising) and raccoon eyes (periorbital ecchymosis) are classic delayed signs of a basilar skull fracture.
Question 6: When should CPR be stopped by a first aider at sea?
- After exactly 30 minutes regardless of outcome
- When a trained medical responder takes over, the casualty shows signs of life, or the rescuer is too exhausted to continue (Correct answer)
- After 10 unsuccessful shocks with an AED
- When the casualty's skin becomes cold
Correct answer: When a trained medical responder takes over, the casualty shows signs of life, or the rescuer is too exhausted to continue
CPR may be stopped when a more qualified person takes over, the patient recovers, the rescuer is physically unable to continue, or a medical officer advises cessation.
Question 7: A crew member suffers electric shock from shipboard equipment and is flung clear. He is now unresponsive. What is the safest first step?
- Touch him immediately to check for pulse before calling for help
- Ensure power to the equipment is isolated before approaching (Correct answer)
- Begin chest compressions from a distance using a long pole
- Call for help only and do not approach until a doctor arrives
Correct answer: Ensure power to the equipment is isolated before approaching
The electrical supply must be isolated before approaching an electrocution victim to prevent the rescuer from also receiving a shock.
STCW First Aid at Sea 5
A crew member is found unconscious with a suspected drug overdose.
He is breathing shallowly.
What position should he be placed in?