First Aid and Medical Courses Criteria - Second Edition

This aim of this publication is to help create training courses that provide seafarers with the necessary knowledge, understanding and proficiency to carry out first aid and medical duties in accordance with international regulations. Training courses developed in line with these criteria will cover:

• Elementary first aid
• medical first aid
• medical care
• medical care updating training

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The specifications described in this document have been developed by the Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB) in conjunction with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and satisfy MCA requirements for approved training.

What this document is about

This document provides the criteria for the development of courses to deliver training in elementary first aid, medical first aid and medical care on board ship.

Training courses developed in line with these criteria, delivered at centres approved by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), will cover:

• Elementary first aid (section 2);
• Medical first aid (section 3);
• Medical care (section 4);
• Medical care updating training (section 5) – an EU-specific requirement for service on EU registered vessels.

The specifications described in this document have been developed by the Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB) in conjunction with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).

The MCA has agreed with the MNTB that the specifications described in this document will satisfy the requirements for approved training. Conditions for MCA approval of short courses are contained in Annex A, which should be used in conjunction with the MCA guide to approval of regulatory training requirements.

The national occupational standards relating to this training are:

A16 – Provide medical services on board a vessel.

There is also a suite of Maritime Studies Qualifications which contain units relevant to this training; the specific units are:

• Emergency first aid in response to maritime accidents or medical emergencies;
• Take charge of medical care on board a vessel;
• Provide medical first aid on board a vessel.

Why these criteria have been developed

These criteria have been developed to deliver education and training covering first aid and medical care to meet specific parts of the regulatory requirements of Tables A-VI/1-3, A-VI/4-1 and A-VI/4-2 of the Annex to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, hereafter referred to as STCW. It also covers the medical care updating training specific to the EU and as identified in EC Directive 92/29 EEC and part 6 of the MCA Training and Certification Guidance – MGN 96 (M).

Who the training is aimed at

This training is required by seafarers seeking certification under:

a. STCW Regulation VI/I – basic training or instruction for seafarers employed or engaged in any capacity on board ship on the business of that ship as part of the ship’s complement as appropriate;

b. STCW Regulation VI/4 – training for seafarers who are designated to provide medical first aid on board ship;

c. STCW Regulation VI/4 – training for seafarers who are designated to take charge of medical care on board ship;

d. EU Council Directive 92/29 EEC as interpreted by the MCA – training required for masters and other persons in charge of medical care on UK or EU-flag vessels who are required to undertake refresher training every five years.

Aims of the training

The overall aim is to provide seafarers with the necessary knowledge, understanding and proficiency to carry out designated first aid and medical duties in accordance with international regulations.

Section One: Introduction

Section Two: Proficiency in elementary first aid course criteria

Section Three: Proficiency in medical first aid course criteria

Section Four: Proficiency in medical care course criteria

Section Five: Medical care updating training course criteria

Annex A: MCA approval of short courses

Annex B: STCW Code

Annex C: Instructor/assessor qualification and experience requirements

Annex D: Specimen certificates

(i) Proficiency in elementary first aid

(ii) Proficiency in medical first aid

(iii) Proficiency in medical care

(iv) Proficiency in medical care updating training

The Merchant Navy Training Board is the shipping industry’s central body for promoting and developing sector specific education, training and skills.

https://mntb.org.uk/