A new 10 day course providing learners with the knowledge and skills required to take charge of a medical emergency on board a ship was delivered to 11 participants at the Newcastle Campus of TAFE NSW – Hunter Institute recently.
The Shipmasters Medical Care Training Course was developed in response to a need identified by Ian Gray, Head Teacher Maritime Studies Unit.
‘This course is the next step up from a Senior First Aid and Remote First Aid Course and enables participants to perform minor medical procedures that could save someone’s life,’ Mr Gray said.
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Staff require extra training for vital skills? |
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TAFE NSW can tailor the course. |
‘Often the ship is a long way from shore and it could be days before the patient can receive proper medical care. This course teaches participants to administer necessary life saving techniques for injuries or illness.’
Participants are taught various skills including those related to injection techniques, dressing wounds, and taking blood pressure, temperature and pulse readings.
First Aid Co-ordinator Belinda Wall and Teacher Katrina Ostendorf developed the course which Ms Wall said had proved a success.
‘Our evaluation revealed that the students particularly appreciated the emphasis on practical/clinical skills,’ she said.
Matt Bedwell, Second Mate with bulk carrier company INCO Ships, said he has found the training invaluable.
‘The course included lots of practical experiences, including a ‘ride-along’ with the Ambulance Service of NSW. That enabled us to see and experience a wide range of emergency situations in a short space of time, and observe the procedures which were used,’ he said. The course also equipped the participants to seek assistance and carry out medical procedures as directed from shore based medical advisors.
‘The knowledge we gained can also be applied in our day-to-day working lives, for instance being able to identify and treat dehydration,’ Mr Bedwell said.
The course is run by the Maritime Studies Section Hunter Institute for NSW Maritime and other state Authorities. It is also part of national- and international-level training for the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. Features include:
- A 2 day ‘ride-along’ with the Ambulance Service of NSW
- Viewing of an autopsy at John Hunter Hospital
- Life-raft rescue/scenarios at the Lake Macquarie Yacht Club
- A visit to Westpac Rescue Helicopter service.
Hunter Institute is only one of four Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) approved to deliver this course in Australia and is the only RTO delivering the course in NSW.
