AFF-L3.2

Management of injured persons

AFF-M3 · People in the fire · AFF-M3-A Breathing apparatus control and the management of casualties.

Fires produce casualties, sometimes among your own teams. **Receiving, triaging and holding** them until help arrives.

Casualties

Governing: STCW Code Table A-VI/3; MSN 1865 (M) Amendment 1 section 5. Builds on: Medical First Aid (MFA), Medical Care (PMC).

Among the knowledge items for controlling fire-fighting operations, Table A-VI/3 lists management and control of injured persons. The AFF officer is not the ship's doctor. The job is to make sure casualties are found, moved, treated and tracked without the fire response falling apart.

Who is likely to be hurt

Casualty Typical source Immediate concern
Smoke inhalation Occupants of the fire zone, first responders Airway, breathing, CO
Burns Attack team, galley and engine crew Cooling, fluid loss, airway burns
Heat illness BA wearers after long entries Core temperature, collapse
Crush and falls Stairs in smoke, dropped equipment Spine, bleeding
Psychological shock Guests, junior crew Supervision, reassurance

The casualty clearing point

Set it up at the start of the incident, not when the first casualty appears:

  • Clean air, upwind or on a different deck.
  • Clear of the attack route and hose lines.
  • Near the medical locker or ship's hospital, with oxygen if carried.
  • Staffed by crew holding Medical First Aid or Medical Care.

Under MSN 1865 section 5, anyone designated to provide medical first aid holds Proficiency in Medical First Aid; candidates for Master and Chief Mate, and anyone designated to take charge of medical care, also hold Proficiency in Medical Care. On most yachts that means the chief officer and master, which is why they should not be the only people who know where the casualty point is.

Care in outline

Detailed treatment belongs in the medical courses. For command purposes:

  • Smoke inhalation: oxygen if trained and available, monitor airway, watch for delayed deterioration.
  • Burns: cool with clean water, remove constrictions, cover, monitor for shock.
  • Heat illness in BA wearers: remove kit, cool, rest, and do not recommit them.
  • Unconscious casualties: airway and recovery position or resuscitation as trained.

Medical advice and evacuation

Get radio medical advice early. Burns and smoke inhalation can deteriorate hours later. If evacuation may be needed, involve the rescue coordination centre at once; helicopter or boat transfer takes time to arrange, and the fire may still be affecting deck space.

CAUTION - Your own teams BA wearers who have been in heat are casualties until checked. Build rest, fluids and a quick check into the withdrawal routine.

Tracking

Every casualty is recorded in the incident log: name, injury, time found, where, and treatment given. Casualties moved to the hospital are counted in the muster. Afterwards the record feeds the accident report (see L4.1).

TIP - Guests Guests may be injured, frightened or trying to help. Assign interior crew to stay with them at the muster point and keep them out of the casualty area.

Practice questions

5 questions

recall · core

Management and control of injured persons appears in which AFF competence? (a) Inspect and service systems (b) Investigate and compile reports (c) Control fire-fighting operations aboard ships (d) Organize and train fire parties

recall · core

Where should the casualty clearing point be set up? (a) In clean air, away from the fire and clear of the attack route (b) In the engine control room (c) At the fire door (d) In the guest saloon regardless of smoke

recall · core

Which certificate does MSN 1865 require for Master and Chief Mate candidates, in addition to Medical First Aid? (a) Crowd management (b) No medical training (c) Proficiency in Medical Care (d) Elementary First Aid only

recall · core

A casualty rescued from a smoke-filled cabin is breathing but confused. Priority care is: (a) Give food and water (b) Oxygen if trained and available, monitor airway and breathing, and seek radio medical advice (c) Send them back to their cabin to rest (d) Cool with seawater

scenario · core

Mid-Atlantic, a fire in the laundry is out. Two crew have burns to hands and forearms and one has inhaled smoke. What should the officer in charge do next? (a) Treat only the worst casualty (b) Wait until arrival to seek advice (c) Move them to the hospital or clearing point, start first aid and oxygen as trained, get radio medical advice, and discuss evacuation options with the MRCC (d) Resume normal watches and review at breakfast

Independent study. xplor is not an accredited training provider and awards no certificate or Certificate of Competency. The AFF certificate of proficiency is issued only after completing the practical course, including live fire and breathing apparatus exercises, at an MCA-approved training provider. AI-drafted content pending subject-matter-expert review.