January 11, 2010
What are your resolutions for the new year? How about you and your crew resolve to be safe by giving your first aid kit a thorough check up?
Open it and see what’s in there. Look for expiration dates, opened packages or things that look out of place. If you are not sure what something is, ask. If nobody knows what it does, then you may not need it.
Start with the simple things such as medical exam gloves, eye protection (goggles) and a CPR mask. Gloves and masks do have a shelf life and need to be replaced. I do not like to keep gloves longer than 1 year.
Next, look at each medication. Is it current? Is it organized? What is it used for? If anything is expired, order replacements and dispose of the old medication properly. Unsure what the medication is prescribed for? Look at the manual or the USB drive provided with your medical kit. Still not sure? Ask someone. Still uncertain? Send me an e-mail and I will be glad to assist.
Next, do you have an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)? If not, consider purchasing one. Without an AED, the chances of surviving sudden cardiac arrest outside of a hospital are small, less than 5 percent. However, if the AED is applied quickly, the victim’s odds increase to about 70-90 percent.
AEDs range in price from about $1,250 to about $1,900. Although AEDs are not inexpensive, they are invaluable if they save a life.
If you have an AED, inspect it. Most manufacturers recommend a monthly inspection. If you are not doing so, create a log book or use an AED inspection tag to track inspections.
AEDs have two major parts that must be replaced periodically – the electrode pads and the battery. Most electrode pads have a two-year life and the expiration dates should be clearly marked.
The battery, once installed in the unit, has a life span from 2-5 years. Write the installation date on the battery or on a sticker on the back of the AED as a reminder. Don’t wait until the AED is beeping. This is the low battery warning. Be proactive and order a new battery before this happens.
Verify that you have a spare set of electrode pads as well as pediatric electrodes if you have children on board. Check to see if your AED has been updated to the new American Heart Association guidelines. Check to see if your AED has been recalled or requires a software update.
Several AEDs have been recalled and should be serviced. If you are unsure, check with the manufacturer or e-mail me the make, model and serial number and I will check for you.
Look at your medical oxygen. Is the tank full? When was the last time the oxygen tank itself was inspected? It generally requires testing every five years and should only be filled with “medical” oxygen, which is highly filtered. Turn it on to make sure everything functions properly.
What about the oxygen masks, nasal cannulas and tubing? Are these in good condition? If they look old, warn or yellow, it might be time to replace these.
Practice and learn all about your oxygen equipment when you have time, not during an emergency. Please note: If you are using the oxygen for training purposes be certain to have it re-filled immediately.
Training for any and all emergencies is crucial. When my company teaches classes onboard a boat we talk to the captain and crew about various medical emergencies. We talk about locations that might present challenges when administering first aid. For example, someone is knocked unconscious in the bilge. How and where should we treat them? A crew member goes into cardiac arrest in the crew quarters. Is there enough room to perform CPR or do we need to move them?
During our courses we also pull out the ship’s AED to inspect it and show the crew what to look for. If a medical kit is available, we also review what is in the kit and explain how things work.
Be proactive. Asking questions is a good thing and being prepared for emergencies is the key to saving lives.
Have a safe and happy new year.
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