Good medicine at sea...

The book was written by the doctor-duo Aksel Schreiner and Leif Aanderud, and is available in both Norwegian and English language editions. Norwegian Hull Club has been involved in the production of the English language edition and encourages all its customers to have the book onboard their vessels.

"We wanted to make a book that is as practical as possible, using symptoms as a reference point - instead of learning basic medicine - as is the case in many other books. I believe we have succeeded with this approach, and we would probably make the book even more practically oriented if we were to write it all over again," says Aksel Schreiner.

Easy to understand  

The book is structured in an easily understood and helpful manner, which enables its users to quickly locate the issues they are seeking advice about. Here you will find very specific step-by-step advice on what to do in various situations relating to injury and illness. The language used is easy to understand and many of the instructions are accompanied by helpful illustrations which take you through key procedures step by step.

The injury and illness related situations described in the book cover a wide range of scenarios - from childbirth and poisoning, to crushing injuries and burns. You are also given a good introduction to recognizing illnesses such as cardiac arrest and stroke, as well as mental illness and severe stress reactions to various incidents.

Multi-cultural crew onboard 

The book also includes an entire chapter which focuses on the challenges of having a multi-cultural crew onboard a vessel, and the importance of good leadership onboard as a means of preventing potential accidents or hazardous situations. Crisis management with regard to both individuals and larger groups is also explained well in the book. Simple and practical terms are used to explain which measures can be taken in various situations in order to "stabilize" individuals/groups which have undergone severe strain or extreme situations onboard.

The author, Aksel Schreiner, has many years of experience with maritime medicine through his work with Radio Medico. He was in charge of this medical service - which everyone at sea can use free of charge and at all times - during a period of 25 years. Radio Medico is manned 24 hours a day and four physicians work shifts to deal with the inquiries. Their base is in Bergen.

Three inquiries daily on average 

"The Radio Medico service receives about three inquiries daily on average. We regularly encounter situations in which we must evacuate patients, particularly in connection with illnesses related to heart problems or poisoning from toxic gases in cargo holds/tankers. Basically, lack of oxygen. The aforementioned problem has improved - as more focus has been put on this specific issue onboard ships in recent years among both seamen and ship owners," says Schreiner.

 If your shipping company is interested in obtaining the handbook "Medicine on board", click here.