Chapter 1 - General

1.1 Background

The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for seafarers, as amended ( STCW Convention), provides standards regarding emergency, occupational safety and survival functions.
This document describes the revisions to Canadian Marine First Aid and Marine Medical Care training courses. The revisions are being made in order to align those courses with the requirements of Regulation VI of the STCW Convention and Chapter VI of the STCW Code.

Compliance with the above standards to meet mandatory minimum requirements before a person can be designated to take charge of medical care or provide first aid on board vessels.

To provide seafarer who is designated to provide medical first aid or to take charge of medical care on board a vessel with an understanding of the tasks, duties and responsibilities associated with the designation.
To provide, through approved shore-based courses, the level of knowledge, which enables the designated seafarer to take immediate action in case of accident or illness likely to occur on board vessels.

This publication becomes effective on July 1^st, 2007, with the coming into force of the Marine Personnel Regulations.