'In Depth' first aid course

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Alcyone

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Missis, who is a nurse, and myself are contemplating doing some longer term sailing in a few years time possibly involving some more off the beaten track places abroad, and looking to get some courses done whilst we build up to that.

Specifically, I'd like some recommendations on a more 'in depth' first aid or medical course.

I bit of talking and Googling and I came up with this

http://www.hamble.co.uk/mca-stcw-courses/mca-stcw-proficiency-in-medical-care-on-board-ship/


Any advice, general or specific, much appreciated.
 
KellysEye said:
Yes that's the one to do, the RYA one is much less comprehensive. Before doing the course it would be worth reading the book which covers the course, the Ship Captain's Medical Guide, you can dowload it free here:

http://www.dft.gov.uk/mca/mcga-seaf.../mcga-dqs_st_shs_ships_capt_medical_guide.htm
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Cheers, KE. I will do so. I've spoken to a few long distance sailors and the odd thing that does seem to have happened seems a bit outside the remit of the simpler courses.
 
Another option to consider Alcyone is 'Expedition Medicine' courses. (SWMBO is a doctor and ExMed instructor).

One of the benefits is that they are targeted to where you might visit (Polar, Desert, Tropical etc.).

Usually attended by medics / expedition leaders etc. ;)
 
Alcyone said:
http://www.hamble.co.uk/mca-stcw-courses/mca-stcw-proficiency-in-medical-care-on-board-ship/


Any advice, general or specific, much appreciated.
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Note that the 4 day mca proficiency in first aid course is a pre-requisite for this, so unless you've already got that, add the costs and time for the two together. The proficiency in medical first aid course (which I recently completed) alone is definitely not what you want for bluewater cruising: it's purely about keeping a casualty in good shape until nearby medical help in the form of the ship's medical officer (or at the least, the master who has done the medical care course) arrives. Basic cleaning of minor wounds was not covered: that apparently counts as medical care, not first aid. Obtaining radio medical advice is not considered the first aider's responsibility.

When I go back for the medical care course I will probably do it at a yachting school rather than a more commercially-oriented establishment like the one I did the first aid course at, for a couple of reasons. The MCA courses are oriented towards commercial vessels (and until recently iirc, had seatime requirements which would have precluded the average yachtie attending) but the course could have been slanted differently: for example, whilst different proprietary splint systems (which you won't have) were demonstrated, improvisation of splints from boathooks etc. wasn't touched on. Scenarios acted out could have involved fewer assumptions about available space, helping hands and equipment. The other reason is value for money. Most other students on my course were funded by their employers and interested mainly in getting a certificate as a step towards their master's ticket. Consequently no-one else objected to the instructor doubling the length of all the breaks and bundling us out the door early each day which I suspect might have been an issue for a more self-funded audience interested in the subject for its own sake.
 
Laika's advice is good, I'd suggest checking with the school to see how thier variant is slanted and what it actually includes. I did Medical First Aid at Warsash College a couple of years ago and felt it was a far better course than I'd experienced through the RYA - mainly because more time was spent on exercises. I think it was a two day course for about £200 though so I'm not sure what may have been added to make it 4 days.

I was able to self-certify for the sea time required to be issued the certificate, I suspect I'd not be able to do that for the Medical Care course however.
 
Hi, the course you are looking at (Medical Care) is 4 or 5 days depending where you do it and is quite advanced, it is the follow up to Medical First Aid (3 days usually), which should be considered more Intermediate

This is in itself a follow up to the beginners one day courses.

Your wife could go straight in for the Medical Care Course, however I would suggest you think about the Medical First Aid and Medical Care unless you have a relevent background as well.

Our next courses dates are in September

http://www.stormforce.biz/Products/...st-Aid/MCA/MCA-STCW-95-Medical-First-Aid.html

http://www.stormforce.biz/Products/...g/First-Aid/MCA/MCA-STCW-95-Medical-Care.html

The above 2 courses are taught by a retired consultant surgeon who has sailed himself in many parts of the world and is the former owner of a Sigma 362.
 
I completed both courses at Warsash College. Absolutely first class training, great facilities and I reckon, as good as it gets.

No relation! :)
 
Once again, thanks to all.

I will read through the recommendations and make a choice accordingly. Great advice, as always.

A.
 
RobbieW said:
[I think it was a two day course for about £200 though so I'm not sure what may have been added to make it 4 days.
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They've added 225 quid for a start...

The warsash course also includes Automated External Defibrillator training (and a certificate). While there's actually not much to it and you're unlikely to have one on a small yacht, with AEDs increasingly available in work and public places I'm very glad of now having the confidence to be able to use one if necessary.

As I implied in my last post, the hours lost over 4 days through long breaks and the instructor packing us off early were exactly equivalent to a day. With a smaller class size and less chit chat this course could easily have fitted into 3 days, although I would have preferred 4 with more practical work.

I note that Hamble School of Yachting (that the OP links to) also run this as a 4 day.
 
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