Draft:STCW Medical First Aid

STCW Proficiency in Medical First Aid is an internationally valid certificate issued to first aiders onboard ships. Under the STCW Convention, this certificate is required by Chief Mate and Master candidates. It is also required under MCA Codes of Practice for commercial yachtmaster offshore and ocean skippers operating beyond 60 nautical miles from a safe haven. The GUEST scheme has adopted it as a requirement for GUEST Senior Stewardess Certificate of Competence candidates. World Sailing have also adopted the course as a requirement for at least one crew member onboard a World Sailing race yacht competing in a Category 0 (Round the World) race.

Anyone responsible for Category B Medical supplies on board a commercial vessel should hold this or a higher level certificate. STCW and RYA First Aid Instructors are also required to hold Medical First Aid

The certificate is consistent with table A-VI/4-1 of the STCW Code, which is where it derives its international authority

STCW Medical First Aid is a pre requisite to the higher level STCW Proficiency in Medical Care Course.

History
The Predecessor to the STCW Proficiency in Medical First Aid was the First Aid at Sea Course. In the late 1990s the new course was launched and a 5 years transitional period ended in 2002. At its launch in the 1990s the new course was named STCW Proficiency in Medical First Aid Aboard Ship. The minimum course duration was then 21 hours.

Following the 2015 amendments to the STCW regulations the course name was shortened to STCW Proficiency in Medical First Aid and the Merchant Navy Training Board set the minimum duration of the course to 28 contact hours.

Course Outcome
The MNTB have set one outcome for this course.

1/.The Learner is able to apply immediate First Aid to an injured casualty and a person suffering illness on board.

Issuing Authorities
The STCW Convention allows the National Marine Authority of each individual member state to manage how this training in delivered in their own country.

Course and Exam (UK)
In the UK the Maritime and Coastguard Agency is the issuing authority and they approve training centres. The MCA STCW Medical First Aid Course takes four days to complete, including the exam on the final day.