International Medical Guide for Seafarers and Fishers - First Edition

When a seafarer or fisher becomes sick or is injured at sea, it is up to one of their fellow crew members to provide medical relief until professional medical services can be reached. This person will have had limited medical training on shore, as required under the STCW Convention, but is not a fully-trained doctor. When confronted with a medical emergency far from land, the person responsible for medical care relies on telemedical assistance services (TMAS), the medicines and equipment available in the on board medicine chest, and the on board medical guide for support.

This modern and practical medical guide from ICS has been written and reviewed by an international group of maritime medical practitioners and experts with many years' experience of working with and training seafarers and fishers. It can be used on board all ships and fishing vessels, anywhere in the world, and in onshore safety departments, medical assistance centres and training institutions who support seafarers and fishers.

The International Medical Guide for Seafarers and Fishers is:

1. International

• Terminology and medical guidance is recognised and applicable globally
• Medicines and equipment are available globally, right now
• Reviewed and approved by international organisations representing shipowners, seafarer unions and maritime health professionals
• Latest medical knowledge from maritime medical practitioners from every continent available in one guide

2. Comprehensive and up-to-date

• Guidance on all injuries, illnesses and health issues experienced on ships and fishing vessels
• Brand new chapters not available in existing international guides, including a chapter on assessing and treating mental health
• Action cards address emergency situations and can be carried in the medical bag for quick access
• Updated Ship’s Medicine Chest includes medicines and equipment that are easy to source anywhere in the world, right now

3. Practical and user-friendly

• Easy-to-use format for a non-medical professional to navigate and apply in a medical situation
• 3D visual aids, tables, charts and assessment forms to help crew follow procedures correctly and find the most important information quickly
• Print and digital ebook formats available to give shipping companies flexibility and confidence that a guide will always be available in a way that suits crews and voyages
• Comprehensive index includes symptoms to help readers find what they need quickly

Featuring a foreword from Kitack Lim, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and written in collaboration with the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and International Maritime Health Association (IMHA).

[The £225 RRP includes:

• The International Medical Guide for Seafarers and Fishers, 608pp, full colour, A4 half-Canadian. Includes 10 A5 laminated action cards, full colour; and
• The Ship’s Medicine Chest to accompany the International Medical Guide for Seafarers and Fishers, 60pp, full colour, A4 paperback.]

Carriage of a medical guide on board is mandatory under the International Labour Organization’s Maritime Labour Convention (ILO MLC). The International Maritime Organization’s International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (IMO STCW) outlines the mandatory minimum standards of training for officers responsible for medical care and requires seafarers to be trained in the treatment of injuries or conditions in accordance with national and international medical guides. The fishing industry requires proper medical care to be provided on board under the ILO Work in Fishing Convention, and medical training for those providing first aid care under the IMO STW-F 1995 Convention.

Foreword

The International Medical Guide for Seafarers and Fishers is a guide designed for non-medical professionals to help prepare them to handle medical emergencies when working at sea. This practical guide provides a useful complement to the International Medical Guide for Ships, produced by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Training and carriage requirements on medical guides are provided in relevant instruments of IMO and ILO, respectively. The importance of having access to medical care on board ships cannot be emphasised enough and medical guidelines are vital for ensuring proper knowledge and rapid response in medical emergencies.

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and International Maritime Organization (IMO) enjoy a close working relationship. ICS contributes significantly to IMO’s work through active participation at IMO meetings and publishing guidance in support of international regulations is evidence of that.

This guide has been produced in collaboration with maritime medical professionals from leading organisations to address an industry need in a practical manner by means of an up-to-date medical guide to help improve the standards of medical care on board.

As a former seafarer, I know first-hand how important it is that good medical care is available should any seafarers fall unwell on board a ship. In all situations that require medical attention, it is vital that the appropriate treatments, medicines and equipment are accessible, combined with the knowledge to handle any medical emergencies that may arise.

In this guide, advice is presented in a user-friendly way so that the information is straightforward and easy to understand for those with limited medical training. The Medicine Chest section of the guide includes the latest and internationally available medicines and recommended contents for a ship’s medical bag, and portable action cards have been included for crew to carry and use in a medical situation.

Seafarer welfare is of the utmost importance. Although it is always the hope that no one will require urgent medical care, we must ensure that seafarers are equipped with resources to aid them in tackling medical emergencies should they arise.

Kitack Lim

Secretary-General

International Maritime Organization

Foreword

Introduction: How to use this book

Abbreviations

Illnesses and medical problems

1 ABCDE: assess a sick patient

2 CPR and defibrillators

3 Choking

4 Breathing problems

5 Shock (circulatory collapse)

6 Major bleeding (haemorrhage)

7 Chest pain

8 Anaphylaxis and allergy

9 Seizures (fits) and convulsions

10 Headache

11 Loss of consciousness

12 Stroke (cerebrovascular accident)

13 Diabetes

14 Sepsis and infectious diseases

15 Acute abdominal pain

16 Heat-related illnesses

17 Drowning

18 Hypothermia and cold injuries

19 Poisoning

20 Acute eye problems

21 Acute ear, nose and throat (ENT) problems

22 Acute dental problems

23 Back pain

24 Joint pain

25 Urinary tract and male genital problems

26 Sexually transmitted infections

27 Gynaecological problems

28 Menstruation, pregnancy, miscarriage and childbirth

29 Common skin problems

30 Seasickness

31 Mental health issues

32 Alcohol, tobacco and drug misuse

Injuries and trauma

33 ABCDE: assess an injured patient

34 Head, face and eye injuries

35 Neck and spinal injuries

36 Chest injuries

37 Abdominal injuries

38 Pelvic and hip injuries

39 Injuries to bones, joints, muscles and other soft tissues

40 Wounds and bleeding

41 Burns

42 Bites and stings

Additional information

43 Assessing and managing pain

44 Practical procedures

45 Communicating with TMAS, and documentation

46 Moving a sick or injured patient

47 Medical assessment ashore

48 Medical evacuation

49 Continuing care

50 Care of others on board

51 Death on board

52 Officer responsible for medical care

53 Health risks on board

54 Anatomy and physiology

55 The International Health Regulations

Assessment forms and charts

Fluid balance chart

Medical assessment form

Medication chart

Observation chart

Index

ICS

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) is the principal international trade association for the shipping industry, representing shipowners and operators in all sectors and trades. ICS membership comprises national shipowners' associations in Asia, Europe and the Americas whose member shipping companies operate over 80% of the world's merchant tonnage.

Established in 1921, ICS is concerned with all technical, legal, employment affairs and policy issues that may affect international shipping.

ICS represents shipowners with the various intergovernmental regulatory bodies that impact on shipping, including the International Maritime Organization.

ICS also develops best practices and guidance, including a wide range of publications and free resources that are used by ship operators globally.

https://www.ics-shipping.org/about-ics/