UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency updated its Ship Captain’s Medical Guide (SCMG), which gives medical guidance for non-doctors working onboard a vessel.
In fact, SCMG is primarily intended for vessels with no medical professional onboard, providing practical guidance for those responsible for first aid or medical care onboard.
It provides assistance and direction for crew members when it becomes necessary for them to assess and treat trauma and medical illness.
Specifically, for the 23rd edition, the guide has been comprehensively re-written, with the aim of reflecting current best medical practice, applying this to the maritime environment. The guide contains a wide variety of authoritative advice to help seafarers:
- assess and treat injuries
- diagnose and treat illness
- on journeys where they won’t have quick access to professional medical advice
- step-by-step illustrations to explain emergency procedures
To remind, all UK ships and fishing vessels carrying Category A or Category B medical stores must carry the latest edition of the SCMG.
Overall, speaking of maritime health onboard, the World Health Organization (WHO) provides free e-learning courses addressing health issues and operational matters.
