Marine Emergency Medical Evacuation.pptx

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1. Marine Emergency Medical Evacuation Critical Strategies and Protocols for Safe Operations

2. Introduction This presentation outlines essential protocols and strategies for marine emergency medical evacuations from ships. It highlights the importance of preparedness, crew training, and regulatory compliance. Understanding these elements is vital for ensuring the safety of personnel in maritime environments and effective medical response during emergencies.

3. Emergency Medical Evacuation Overview 01

4. Definition and Importance Marine emergency medical evacuation (EME) refers to the process of transporting ill or injured crew members from a vessel to shore-based medical facilities. It is crucial for ensuring timely medical care, minimizing health risks, and potentially saving lives during maritime emergencies.

5. Regulatory Framework Various international and national regulations govern marine medical evacuations, including the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) guidelines. Compliance with these regulations is critical for maintaining safety standards and ensuring proper protocols are followed during evacuations.

6. Types of Evacuations Emergency medical evacuations can be categorized into several types, including helicopter and boat transfers, each method suited for specific conditions and distances from shore. Understanding the appropriate method is essential for minimizing risks and ensuring a successful evacuation.

7. 1. Hi-Line Medevac Technique – Hi-Line Means a Hi-Line/Heaving in Line It is used for helicopter rescue operations when it is not possible to lower helicopter for medevac, crew members on board mainly because of weather conditions. In such situations, a Hi-Line is lowered to reduce the swing of the hoisting line. Deck party must be briefed in advance regarding the correct handling of hi-line. Major precautions – deck party must be suitably attired, wearing gloves and  lifejackets  along with correct  personal protective equipment (PPE). Hi-Line must not be made fast to the vessel and must be coiled into a bucket or similar arrangement. Also, the crew must not get themselves entangled with the line. A wire/earthing lead/hook will be connected for discharging the static; this must be allowed to touch the deck. Hi-Line must be held firmly, this will minimize swing. At all times medevac instructions from the helicopter must be followed. Emergency equipment must be kept ready on-site and all loose gear on deck well secured or removed from location to avoid accidents from helicopter downdraft. D uring night time, the deck must be suitably and sufficiently lit, ensuring that there is no glare, which can affect the pilot’s vision. Flag and pennants must be displayed, to give helicopter pilot an indication of the wind direction.

8. When weather permits, this is the most preferred method for medevac because minimum assistance is needed from the ships’ crew. As the helicopter staff is in full control of operations, the process requires hardly any space and can be undertaken on all ship types.For this, a winch-man is lowered onto the ship for taking care of on-site coordination and evacuation. Evacuation will generally be by means of a strop or rescue basket. As in all helicopter operations for a medevac at sea, the pilot’s instructions must be followed at all times. Depending on the level of skills or experience some pilots will not mind vessel changing course and speed as this may be needed if the operation is taking place in an area of heavy surface traffic. However, it is always better to inform of such manoeuvre in advance. Also, regular VHF broadcasts must be made to keep other traffic in the vicinity up to date. Conventionally, a pilot will be sitting on the right-hand seat so the helicopter will approach from the port quarter of the vessel. Nowadays, because of convenience and time saving, this winching method is being increasingly used for pilot/deep-sea pilot boarding in some ports. 2. Helicopter Winching Medevac

9. For this method of medevac, a rendezvous is planned at sea when there is a ship with better medical facilities in the vicinity or further transportation is to be done on another ship. In case of rendezvous with a naval vessel, more often then not, our own vessel will have to steer at an instructed course at the best available speed, while the naval ship will work out intercept course and speed for the meeting as soon as possible. Once both vessels are in proximity, transfer of personnel will have to be done by ships’ lifeboat. For the transfer of personnel, it would be best to use the lee side  accommodation ladder . This will minimize discomfort, which may be experienced if lifeboat is launched with the casualty inside. If a naval vessel comes for assistance during medevac, they would prefer to use their own RHIB for the purpose. Sometimes it is preferable to examine the patients’ condition so that the most efficient means of evacuation can be worked out. 3. Rendezvous at Sea

10. Planning and Preparedness 02

11. Risk Assessment Conducting comprehensive risk assessments is vital for identifying potential medical emergencies onboard and planning effective response strategies. By understanding the unique risks associated with different marine activities, crews can prepare accordingly to enhance safety.

12. Crew Training and Drills Regular training sessions and drills for crew members ensure they are well-prepared to handle medical emergencies. These exercises promote familiarity with evacuation procedures and equipment usage, ultimately enhancing response effectiveness during real incidents.

13. Equipment and Resources Having the right medical equipment and resources on board is essential for effective emergency medical care. This includes first aid kits, communication devices, and stretchers, all of which should be regularly checked and maintained to ensure readiness.

14. Equipment and Resources Having the right medical equipment and resources on board is essential for effective emergency medical care. This includes first aid kits, communication devices, and stretchers, all of which should be regularly checked and maintained to ensure readiness.

15. Execution of Evacuation 03

16. Coordination with Medical Services Effective coordination with medical services onshore is crucial for smooth evacuations. Establishing communication channels ensures that medical personnel are prepared to receive patients and provide the necessary care immediately upon arrival.

17. Evacuation Procedures Clear and practiced evacuation procedures are essential for the safe transport of patients. These procedures should outline the steps to be taken, including securing the patient, choosing the appropriate method of transport, and ensuring crew readiness.

18. Communication Protocols Maintaining effective communication during an emergency is vital. Protocols should include designated communication channels, roles, and responsibilities to ensure all crew members are informed and able to coordinate efforts efficiently.

19. Post-Evacuation Procedures 04

20. Debriefing and Reporting Post-evacuation debriefing sessions are essential for evaluating the response effectiveness. Reports should document what occurred, noting successful strategies and areas for improvement to enhance future response efforts.

21. Follow-Up Care for Patients After the evacuation, follow-up care is critical for the well-being of the patient. Coordination with medical teams ensures that patients receive appropriate ongoing treatment and monitoring as needed for their recovery.

22. Analysis and Improvement of Protocols Regular analysis of evacuation protocols is necessary for continuous improvement. Incorporating lessons learned from past incidents helps refine strategies and enhance the overall safety and efficiency of future medical evacuations.

23. Conclusions In conclusion, marine emergency medical evacuations require thorough preparation, effective execution, and continuous evaluation. By implementing robust protocols, providing adequate training, and ensuring proper coordination, maritime operations can enhance safety and effectively respond to medical emergencies at sea.