Marine First Aid Level 4 (VTQ)
Course Content
- Course Introduction
- Human anatomy and physiology for immediate emergency care
- Safety and Calling for Help
- What3Words - location app
- Marine band radios
- Marine VHF Radios
- Common Coastal Water Dangers
- Common Fresh Water Marine Dangers
- Emergency Flares
- LED Flares
- The Coastguard
- The Air Ambulance
- Personal Location Beacons
- Accident Prevention
- Boat Safety
- Calling for help
- Water safety tubes
- Types of Blankets
- Emergency response for hybrid and electric boats
- First Aid and Safety Equipment\
- Initial Assessment and Care
- Basic airway management in emergency care
- CPR
- AED
- Administration of oxygen therapy
- Drowning
- Choking
- Shock
- Bleeding
- Catastrophic Injury
- Injuries
- Hypothermia
- Illness
- FIrst Responder - Management of injuries
- Prioritising first aid
- Pelvic Injuries
- Spinal Injuries
- Rapid Extrication
- SAM Pelvic Sling
- Box Splints
- Spinal Injury
- Stabilising the spine
- Spinal Recovery Position
- Introduction to Spinal Boards
- The spinal board
- Using the Spinal Board
- The Scoop Stretcher
- Using the scoop stretcher
- Cervical collars
- Vertical C-Spine Immobilisation
- Joint examination
- Adult fractures
- Types of fracture
- First Responder - Management of trauma
- Elevated Slings
- Lower limb immobilisation
- Elevation Techniques
- Helmet Removal
- Different Types of Helmets
- The Carry Chair
- Applying Plasters
- Strains and Sprains and the RICE procedure
- Eye Injuries
- Electrical Injuries
- Foreign objects in the eye, ears or nose
- Nose bleeds
- Bites and stings
- Chest Injuries
- Foxseal chest seals
- Abdominal Injuries
- Treating Snake Bites
- Types of head injury and consciousness
- Dislocated Shoulders and Joints
- Other Types of Injury
- Dental Injuries
- First Responder - Management of medical conditions
- Asthma
- Asthma Spacers
- When an Asthma inhaler is not available
- Accuhaler®
- Heart Attack
- Warning signs of cardiac arrest and heart attack
- Heart Attack Position
- Aspirin and the Aspod
- Stable angina
- Hypertension
- Pulse Oximetry
- Epilepsy
- Epilepsy treatment
- Meningitis
- Diabetes
- Blood Sugar Testing
- Poisons and Food Poisoning
- Shock
- Near and secondary drowning
- Cold water shock
- Allergic Reactions and Anaphylaxis
- Course Summary
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Get StartedCommon Coastal Water Dangers
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The United Kingdom is surrounded by water and its coastline stretches over 7000 miles. While the coastal waters of the UK offer numerous opportunities for swimming, water sports and other recreational activities, they can also present certain risks and hazards. Rip currents are powerful currents of water that flow away from the shore and can cause swimmers to become trapped and swept out to sea. These currents are common in the UK coastal waters and can be difficult to spot. To avoid becoming caught in a rip current, it is important to only swim in designated areas where lifeguards are present. If you do find yourself caught in a rip current, do not panic and do not try to swim against it. Instead, swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current and then swim back to shore. Water sports are common, but they can also be dangerous. Common injuries associated include cuts and abrasions from contact with equipment or other water users, as well as more serious injuries, such as broken bones, head injuries and spinal injuries. Jellyfish are a common marine creature found in UK coastal waters. Their sting could be painful, and in some cases, even life-threatening. If you are stunned by a jellyfish, it is important to immediately rinse the affected area with vinegar to neutralise the stingers. It is also important to seek medical attention if the sting is particularly severe or if you experience any other symptoms such as breathing difficulties or chest pain. Hypothermia is a condition that occurs when the body's core temperature drops below normal. This can occur when swimming in cold coastal waters, particularly during the colder months of the year. To avoid hypothermia it is important to wear appropriate protective clothing, such as a wet suit, and to limit exposure to the water if you are beginning to feel cold or shivery. There are several sea creatures in the UK coastal waters that can bite or sting humans, including sharks, seals and sea urchins. While these incidents are rare, it is important to be aware of the potential risks and take appropriate action. For example, if you see a shark or a seal in the water, it is important to swim back calmly and slowly to the shore. If you are stung by a sea urchin, then it is important to remove any of the spines that may be lodged in your skin and seek medical attention if the sting is particularly severe.
Staying Safe in UK Coastal Waters
Dangers and Hazards
The UK is surrounded by over 7,000 miles of coastline, offering various leisure activities but also presenting certain dangers.
Rip Currents
Definition: Strong currents flowing away from the shore, common in UK coastal waters.
Precautions: Swim only in designated areas with lifeguards and avoid swimming against rip currents.
Water Sports Hazards
Injuries: Cuts, grazes, broken bones, and head or spinal injuries are common.
Jellyfish Stings
Identification: Typical marine creatures in UK coastal waters.
Treatment: Rinse affected area with vinegar immediately to neutralise stingers; seek medical attention for severe stings.
Hypothermia Risk
Cause: Dropping core body temperature, especially in cold coastal waters.
Prevention: Wear suitable protective clothing like wetsuits and limit exposure to water when feeling cold or shivery.
Sea Creature Encounters
Risks: Bites or stings from sharks, seals, and sea urchins, though rare.
Action: Stay calm, swim back to shore slowly if encountering sharks or seals; remove sea urchin spines and seek medical help for severe stings.