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Old 24-10-2016, 13:51   #1
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What's the best first aid course for cruisers?

We're looking for a good marine first aid course to take this winter which will prepare us for cruising. The course could be on line or bricks & mortar (we're in the D.C. area). We'd prefer something more advanced and tailored to mariners that just the basic American Red Cross course. Suggestions?
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Old 24-10-2016, 19:51   #2
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Re: What's the best first aid course for cruisers?

I'll bet the SSCA (Seven Seas Cruising Association) would have some course info for you, good luck finding what you want. (Some friends of ours had a US Army first aid book that had a whole lot more in it than the Red Cross course I took!)

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Old 24-10-2016, 21:20   #3
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Re: What's the best first aid course for cruisers?

Some of choosing a course depends on what level of 1st aid you're at currently. Though ones designed for folks who are out in the back country, who are likely to be out of range of help from others for several days after are popular. Wilderness 1st Responder types. As if you're out for more than a day sail, your situation may be similar to this. Though you'll likely have a bigger 1st aid kit, as well as good comms for getting live instructions, needs be.

Speaking of which, you also want to have your level of training match up with your 1st aid kit. So you kind of choose both concurrently, your training & the kit. And then have both evolve over time. Including to sync up appropriately with the kind of cruising you're doing. As you needen't become an EMT & have an $10k kit onboard if you plan to do 20nm day hops.

There's a lot of good info on both kits, & training here on CF if you do but a little searching.
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Old 25-10-2016, 01:51   #4
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Re: What's the best first aid course for cruisers?

Ive never taken any marine specific courses, but as a former backpacking trip leader, took several "wilderness medicine" courses. These are designed to teach skills for dealing with medical issues in remote locations and the same techniques are very applicable at sea.

Organizations like NOLS offer them. Also several good books on the subject, but nothing like hands on. Good to have a few aboard for reference though.

The Red Cross classes are not marine specific either, but do emphasize hands on practice (esp CPR) so are worthwhile too. CPR is CPR regardless of venue. Repeatative hands on practice is good because in a crisis your training will kick in.
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Old 25-10-2016, 02:05   #5
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Re: What's the best first aid course for cruisers?

I have my Wilderness First responder.
I'd suggest this course depending on where you are and what it offers. In Canada it goes into detail about dealing with serious injury in remote locations.
Different countries have different names/requirements be sure you check what you're signing up for.
Pretty sure it's not available on-line, about half hands on half theory here.
The place that offered mine had a great selection of "injuries" done hollywood special effects style, still remember the abdominal impalement all too well!
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Old 25-10-2016, 03:32   #6
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Re: What's the best first aid course for cruisers?

United States Sailing Association | Senior First Aid Certification

OSR Recognized First Aid Qualifications : Offshore | Classes & Equipment | ISAF | World Sailing | Official Website

https://www.wildmed.com/wilderness-m...ency-medicine/

First Aid | Specialist Short Courses | Courses | Learning | Courses & Training | RYA
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Old 25-10-2016, 09:31   #7
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Re: What's the best first aid course for cruisers?

If your in the DC area there is an excellent school very close to your location. MITAGS which is owned by the Master Mates and Pilots union. They offer maritime STCW courses to all mariners, you do not have to be a member of the union to take a class there.

They offer both Medical Care Provider and Medical Care Person In Charge. I believe they are 3 and 7 day classes.

All Courses

I have taken several classes there over the years and have always had a thought they did an excellent job.

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Old 25-10-2016, 09:54   #8
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Re: What's the best first aid course for cruisers?

I would look for courses organized by the Wilderness Medicine Society, WMS. Wilderness Medicine is so similar to marine medicine, and many of the WMS docs sail (and are ER docs). Great organization.

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Old 25-10-2016, 12:34   #9
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Re: What's the best first aid course for cruisers?

I could write a book about this subject.

We both took WildMed's Emergency Offshore Medical course.

https://www.wildmed.com/wilderness-m...ency-medicine/

Jeff Issac, PA was the instructor and absolutely fabulous! Because we took this class, it also helped us talk with our physician so she could prescribe the prescription medications we carry on board. Having the proper medication on board has proven invaluable, as we are often days away from medical care. Also, because I am not fluent in Spanish yet, it is extremely (emphasis added) difficult to describe symptoms and medical allergies in a language you don't speak in a time of urgency.

It also helped us build our extensive medical kit.

I also HIGHLY recommend carrying the Merck Manual on board to aid in diagnosis. (No, you really don't start popping antibiotics at the first sign of diarrhea.)

Good luck!
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Old 25-10-2016, 13:02   #10
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Re: What's the best first aid course for cruisers?

Just wanted to add some info, most community colleges have a EMT- basic course, you don't have to become one but the course teaches treating wounds, burns, falls, drownings, trauma, strokes, and heart attacks. You will have enough knowledge to actually help someone. Might just be another cruiser. Having taught the class you would get quite a bit out of it. Mike RN TNS CPEN EMT-P
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Old 25-10-2016, 13:23   #11
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Re: What's the best first aid course for cruisers?

My wife and I attended Wilderness Medical Associates Offshore Emergency Medical course in Portland Maine Bay in May. It was outstanding. Jeff Isaac is a very talented instructor and has pretty much "done it all". Dr. Dave Johnson provides medical insights as needed. They are the dream team. Their handouts and lecture enabled us to assemble a high quality medical kit. A bit of advice: don't waste money on a pre-assembled kit. You can assemble a much more applicable kit containing high quality components if you spend one day on amazon. For instance, Conterra makes high-quality medical bags that are absurdly over-priced. We bought a Lightning X First Responder bag and used the 300 we saved to fill it with name brand supplies. Another bit of cost-saving advice: www.goodrx.com.
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Old 25-10-2016, 14:36   #12
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Re: What's the best first aid course for cruisers?

Quote:
Originally Posted by YellowcakeMan View Post
We're looking for a good marine first aid course to take this winter which will prepare us for cruising. The course could be on line or bricks & mortar (we're in the D.C. area). We'd prefer something more advanced and tailored to mariners that just the basic American Red Cross course. Suggestions?
The Annapolis Fire Department offers the basic first aid certification with an additional section on marine emergency medicine. It's a day long seminar. Their focus is on treating trauma, since you're likely to be able to reach a doctor (won't you?) when you're offshore for diagnosis and treatment options of non-trauma issues. Last time I took it for First Aid/CPR certification for racing offshore it was $60.

Granted, the more training, the better, and the Wilderness course looks phenomenal. But as a first step, less than an hour from you, it might be worth a look.
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Old 26-10-2016, 01:00   #13
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Re: What's the best first aid course for cruisers?

Hi,
I am not sure if the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) courses are provided in the USA, but the Medical First Aid Aboard Ship and Medical Care Aboard Ship are recognised courses for long passage making. They range in price in the UK from between £1600 and £2200. There must be an equivalent in the USA

Good luck
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Old 26-10-2016, 01:34   #14
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Re: What's the best first aid course for cruisers?

I learned by becoming an air force isolated duty medic but my guess is you do not want to spend 4 years in the military

I also became a backcountry emt when I worked with Mountain Search and Rescue -

but I also kept my knowledge up by taking course along the way - as above check the local community colleges - not sure how marine varies from other medical issues just a bit more isolated and actually not that much unless you are crossing oceans so medical help is not far away and it is good around the world - but when you have an accident at sea regardless of how far out the basics still apply and basics is a good start and build on that
and take a few wilderness medicine manuals and merck with you -
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Old 26-10-2016, 02:33   #15
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Re: What's the best first aid course for cruisers?

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Mike.
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