Course Overview
This certification course has been developed to meet Transport Canada requirements for Marine Medical Care. Every seafarer who is designated to provide medical care in the event of an accident or illness on board a vessel at sea is required to demonstrate competence to undertake the tasks, duties, and responsibilities as described: basic first aid knowledge encompassed by Marine Advanced First Aid (including patient transport and spinal immobilization procedures and patient packaging), recognizing the need for sutures, basics of nursing; recognition and treatment of diseases, alcohol and drug abuse, psychiatric disorders, dental care and treatment of dental emergencies, gynecology, pregnancy and childbirth, treatment of drowning and decompression illness, death at sea, control of the environment aboard a ship, disease prevention, record keeping and medical regulations, medicine administration, medical equipment including surgical equipment and sterilization, and external assistance through radio and helicopter evacuation.
Prerequisite(s)
- Participants must be 16 years of age or older. Pre-reading and picture ID required.
Credits
4.0
- Not offered this term
- This course is not offered this term. Notify me to receive email notifications when the course opens for registration next term.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
- Describe basic anatomy.
- Demonstrate basic emergency first aid treatment for conscious and unconscious patients who are choking, in respiratory arrest/distress, cardiac chest pain, cardiac arrest, and medical emergencies.
- Care for casualties including: head and spinal injuries; ears, nose, throat, and eye injuries; external and internal bleeding; burns and frostbite; heat and cold emergencies; fractures, dislocations, and muscular injuries; minor wound care and infection control; and pain relief (medicinal and non-medicinal).
- Demonstrate knowledge of suturing and clamping techniques and minor surgical treatment.
- Describe general principles of nursing and apply simple nursing procedures for pain control, giving injections, bathing patients, inserting a catheter, and appropriate record keeping.
- Recognize, obtain medical advice, and treat: medical emergencies, use of oxygen resuscitation equipment, sexually transmitted diseases, and tropical and infectious diseases.
- Describe basic dental care, principles of oral hygiene, and apply emergency treatment.
- Recognize gynaecological and pregnancy emergencies and procedure for childbirth.
- Be aware of resources available for treatment of near drowning incidents and decompression illness.
- Describe care for dying patients and care for the deceased including signs of death, procedures after death, and burial at sea.
- Apply principles for maintaining health through cleanliness and hygiene aboard a ship, including maintenance of a nursing station.
- Understand principles for disease prevention, appropriate cleanup and waste disposal, including vaccinations.
- Ability to record patient assessment, inventory of medicines, and knowledge of national and international regulations for medication storage and administration.
- Knowledge of pharmacology, medication administration, and medical equipment.
- Appropriate communication skills for radio medical advice, transfer to medical professionals, and coordination with port or health authorities.
Effective as of Fall 2011
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice. Find out more about BCIT course cancellations.