First response and other emergency drills

 

Version history

April 2024, Rev. 1.1 – Document quality review, preface and layout update; no change to content

August 2021, Rev. 1 – Gender neutral language used throughout where practical; updates to diving scenarios to reflect updated practice

January 2017 – Reviewed as part of IMCA’s five-year review process – no changes made

April 2009 – Initial publication

 

Summary

This document has been produced by IMCA to assist with the ongoing competence of first response personnel on board vessels. This is not a guidance document; it sets out a range of first aid and other emergency drills which members can use on board their vessels as part of on-the-job training.

The drills cover a number of different scenarios encompassing a range of activities on a vessel.

Each drill has been written in the way that it evolves. Drill participants are provided with updated information on a real-time basis and the drills set out how they are expected to react.

The drills are designed to provide the reader with a number of pieces of information. Each of them is educational in its own right on the challenges of accidents and medical issues in an offshore environment. These may prompt the reader to look at developing or updating company procedures.

The medical solutions put forward are quite detailed. The drills can be modified to suit particular vessels or worksite needs and the depth of realism expected during the exercise.
It is intended that this document will be reviewed regularly and other drills will be added or the solutions will be updated if medical practice alters in any way. Likewise, each IMCA member may alter the scenarios to suit their particular vessel or worksite needs. It is advisable to involve the member’s occupational health advisers in this programme to ensure the maximum benefit is realised and to maintain compliance with medical guidelines.

It is envisaged that members may wish to add scenarios to this document in order to share best practice or to improve the practical aspects of the document. Any member who wishes to add scenarios to this document should forward them to the IMCA secretariat for inclusion in future versions of the document.

 

Contents

• Introduction
• General Scenarios
• Saturation Diving Scenarios
• Air Diving Scenarios
• Engine Room Scenarios
• Machinery Spaces Scenarios
• Galley Scenarios
• Helideck Scenarios
• ROV Spread Scenarios
• Pipelay Scenarios
• Working at Height Scenarios
• References