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24 Service Sector Medical Bags & Kits Pack up your troubles The International Safety Management Code states that shipping companies “should ensure that each ship is manned with qualified, certificated and medically fit seafarers in accordance with national and international requirements.” Arguably, a comprehensive medical kit is essential in ensuring continued adherence to this regulation, as the Maritime Safety Committee notes in its circular 1105, Guidance on Responsibility and Liability Issues Related to the Use of the Emergency Medical Kit/Bag. Here, the technical body confirms that: “In relation to the kit itself, it is an obligation on the master and the company (as defined in ISM Code) to keep the emergency medical kit in good repair.” This responsibility should not be taken lightly but in practice it can prove challenging for individual masters to keep abreast of the contents of their vessel’s first aid kits, particularly when one considers the quantity of items which must be included in ship medical stores. The World Health Organization’s international scale-A list of ship’s medicines features over 200 individual items of medical equipment and treatments, including everything from disposable syringes and bed pans to diazepam and cotton wool. An extensive list, but thankfully a number of medical supply companies offer assistance in simplifying the processes of procurement and replenishment for first aid kits. As a supplier of medical kits to vessels ranging from privately owned yachts to some of the world’s largest cruise liners and crafts participating in the Volvo Ocean Race, Universal Marine Medical Supply Co. is a company accustomed to dealing with strict regulatory requirements. Managing director Paul Slade emphasised the importance of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s Merchant Shipping Notice 1768 which cites three categories of medical kit: A, B and C. Mr Slade said: “If you’re under a Red Ensign flag and registered as a UK vessel (commercial) sailing over 150 nautical miles offshore, you must have a Category A medical kit onboard – an advanced kit containing everything from plasters to morphine.” Naturally, with such an array of medical equipment to include, a well-organised kit can mean the difference between life and death in an emergency situation. “Our medical bags use a pouching system so cardiovascular, digestion medicines and topical products are kept separately within their respective bags.” Mr Slade added. “The bags are organised in a way which makes it as easy to use as physically possible.” Mr Slade explained that medicines within the bags are identified and colour-coded with waterproof labels and noted the importance of providing high visibility kits which can be easily identified. “Medical supplies on a vessel are a bit like insurance in that you hope you’re never going to use them but you want them there when you need them!” he said. Nicholas Stael von Holstein, of medical supply and training company Ocean Medical International was also keen to emphasise the importance of a well-organised kit: “Anyone can take a look at the MCA list, put it in a box or bag and say “yes, you’re compliant” but if you’ve got 40 or 50 medications and you have to deal with a problem it can be very maritime medical international ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ september 2010
Medical Bags & Kits Service Sector 25 challenging and you can’t respond quickly. We organise the supplies so you can find the correct items very quickly and provide instructions on how to administer medicines. “We have two colourcoded bags, one is red for medications and one is yellow for equipment items. We keep it really simple. The bags are designed for nonmedically trained persons to be able to access supplies quickly and easily.” He added: “Although the MCA standard is very good, it’s not allencompassing. The MCA standards are minimum recommendations so we use this as a basis for stocking the kits.” Providing large, comprehensive kits is vital but shipping companies should also recognise the importance of having emergency The World Health Organization’s international scale-A list of ship’s medicines features over 200 individual items of medical equipment and treatments, including everything from disposable syringes and bed pans to diazepam and cotton wool equipment and medication available in a readily portable way. Ocean Medical International’s Emergency Grab Bag includes medications and equipment for the safe management of many emergency medical problems such as asthma and life-threatening allergic reactions. Mr Stael von Holstein added that having the kit organised in this way is prefereable during initial response efforts, “as opposed to having to grab two or three large bags which include a whole medical kit and dragging that to the scene, which is impractical.” Shipping companies can also opt to supply a ‘day bag’ such as that devised by Universal Marine Medical Supply Co. which aims to provide easy access to commonly used medications for seafarer convenience. Paul Slade again: “The day bag is to deal with day to day injuries like abrasions, cuts. It’s got medication for diarrhoea, sea sickness and pain relief such as ibuprofen and paracetamol.” Hutton’s Medical has also introduced first aid kits for lifeboats drawing on the company’s knowledge of producing readymade kits in compliance with Safety of Life at Sea and European Commission regulations. John MacDonald, general manager, also acknowledged a trend whereby some shipping companies now cater for “common ailments” within medical kits, supplying extras such as Lemsip cold and flu remedies, additional paracetamol products, Deep Heat rub for muscular aches and sprains and even suntan lotion. Regarding core medical kits, Mr
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Page 20 and 21: Directors & Officers The IMMA Board
Page 22 and 23: 20 Business Viewpoint Seafarer Scre
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Page 40 and 41: 38 Service Sector Splintage & Traum
Page 42 and 43: 40 Seafarer Health Issues Medicare
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Page 46 and 47: 44 Regional Focus Far East Putting
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Page 50: 48 Insight The Health Inspector Bea

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