Diploma in First Aid at Sea
Why this certificate program?
The Diploma in First Aid at Sea
This program prepares you to respond effectively to medical emergencies in challenging maritime environments. Learn to stabilize patients, manage trauma, treat common illnesses, and perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with limited resources and in adverse conditions. This program provides you with the skills and knowledge necessary to save lives in critical situations on board.
Differential Advantages
- Realistic Simulations: Practice common emergency scenarios at sea, from accident injuries to sudden illnesses.
- Adaptation to Limited Resources: Learn to improvise and utilize available onboard resources to provide effective medical care.
- Communication and Coordination: Develop skills to communicate with the crew and efficiently request remote medical assistance.
- Legislation and Protocols: Familiarize yourself with international maritime regulations and medical care protocols at sea.
- Recognized Certification: Earn a diploma that validates your skills and knowledge in first aid in maritime environments.
- Modality: Online
- Level: Diplomado
- Hours: 800 H
- Start date: 30-09-2026
Availability: 1 in stock
Who is it aimed at?
- Recreational and professional vessel crew members seeking to acquire essential knowledge to respond to medical emergencies at sea.
- Cruise ship, ferry, and cargo vessel personnel requiring advanced training in life support and medical evacuation techniques.
- Lifeguards and maritime rescue volunteers needing to expand their experience in isolated environments and adverse conditions.
- Doctors and nurses interested in specializing in maritime medicine and telemedicine to provide remote assistance.
- Sailing and water sports enthusiasts who wish to ensure the safety of themselves and others on ocean voyages.
Flexibility Learning
Adapted for professionals with demanding schedules: asynchronous modules, active discussion forums, and personalized tutoring for learning at your own pace.
Objectives and competencies
Apply maritime survival techniques:
“Use life jackets, rafts and emergency equipment, following protocols and minimizing risk in adverse conditions.”
Stabilize and evacuate injured people in adverse conditions:
“Prioritize the safety of the injured person and the team, adapting stabilization and evacuation techniques to hostile environments and limited resources.”
Diagnose and treat common medical emergencies on board:
“Perform a rapid patient assessment (ABCDE), administer oxygen, control bleeding, and apply CPR according to updated protocols.”
Managing limited medical resources effectively:
“Prioritize care based on severity and probability of survival, optimizing the use of supplies and personnel with clear protocols and effective communication.”
Effectively communicate emergency situations to rescue services:
“Use standardized terminology (IMO/SMSSM), prioritizing critical information (position, nature of emergency, assistance required) and confirming receipt.”
Implement safety and risk prevention protocols specific to the maritime environment:
“Conduct emergency drills (abandonment, fire, man overboard) and familiarize the crew with safety equipment and evacuation routes, documenting everything according to regulations.”
Curriculum - Modules
- Comprehensive Maritime Incident Management: protocols, roles, and chain of command for coordinated response
- Operational Planning and Execution: briefing, routes, weather windows, and go/no-go criteria
- Rapid Risk Assessment: criticality matrix, scene control, and decision-making under pressure
- Operational Communication: VHF/GMDSS, standardized reports, and inter-agency liaison
- Tactical Mobility and Safe Boarding: RHIB maneuvers, approach, mooring, and recovery
- Equipment and Technologies: PPE, signaling, satellite tracking, and field data logging
- Immediate Care of the Affected: primary assessment, hypothermia, trauma, and stabilization for evacuation
- Adverse Environmental Conditions: swell, Visibility, flows, and operational mitigation
Simulation and training: critical scenarios, use of VR/AR, and exercises with performance metrics
Documentation and continuous improvement: lessons learned, indicators (MTTA/MTTR), and SOP updates
- Introduction to Trauma: Definition, Types, and Phases of Response.
- Pathophysiology of Trauma: Systemic Response and Inflammatory Cascade.
- Initial Assessment of the Trauma Patient: ABCDEs and Secondary Assessment.
- Airway Management in Emergency Situations: Basic and Advanced Techniques.
- Hemorrhage and Bleeding Control: Hemostasis and Fluid Therapy Techniques.
- Specific Traumas: Head, Thoracic, Abdominal, and Extremity Injuries.
- Hypothermia: Definition, Classification, and Mechanisms of Production.
- Pathophysiology of Hypothermia: Effects on Organs and Systems.
- Management of Hypothermia: Active and Passive Warming, Complications.
- Survival in hostile environments: Priorities, basic skills, and psychology.
‘
- Introduction to Medical Emergencies in the Maritime Environment: Challenges and Considerations.
- Initial Patient Assessment: ABCDE (Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure).
- Basic First Aid: CPR, Hemorrhage Control, Treatment of Wounds and Burns.
- Common Medical Conditions on Board: Seasickness, Dehydration, Heatstroke, Hypothermia.
- Trauma Management: Fractures, Sprains, Dislocations, Head and Spinal Injuries.
- Basic Pharmacology on Board: Analgesics, Anti-inflammatories, Antihistamines, Antiemetics.
- Survival at Sea: Survival Equipment, Life Rafts, Floating and Rescue Techniques.
- Signs of Maritime distress signals: flares, smoke signals, EPIRB beacons, SART.
Emergency communication: VHF, MF/HF, Digital Selective Calling (DSC), GMDSS procedures.
Coordination with rescue services: Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres (MRCCs), helicopters, rescue vessels.
‘
- Basic Anatomy and Physiology: Cardiovascular, Respiratory, and Nervous Systems.
- Patient Assessment: Primary and Secondary Examination, Vital Signs.
- Basic Life Support (BLS): CPR, Defibrillation (AED), Airway Obstruction.
- Wound and Hemorrhage Management: Hemorrhage Control, Bandaging, Dressings.
- Trauma: Immobilization of Fractures, Sprains, Dislocations.
- Burns: Classification, Initial Treatment, Safe Transport.
- Common Medical Emergencies: Chest Pain, Respiratory Distress, Seizures, Diabetes.
- Sea-Related Illnesses: Hypothermia, dehydration, motion sickness.
Basic Pharmacology: Administration of common medications in emergencies.
Emergency Communications: Requesting medical assistance, concise reports.
‘
- Introduction to the First Aid Kit: regulations, basic contents, and its function.
- Wound Care Supplies: dressings, bandages, gauze, antiseptics, and their correct use.
- Common Ailments (I): wounds, burns, bruises, sprains, and dislocations.
- Common Ailments (II): allergic reactions, stings, and minor respiratory problems.
- Vital Signs: taking pulse, temperature, blood pressure, and respiratory rate.
- Basic Life Support (BLS): CPR, Heimlich maneuver, and recovery position.
- Trauma: immobilization of fractures, management of bleeding and shock.
- Poisonings: identification, first aid, and initial management.
- Action Protocols (I): for common medical emergencies (e.g., asthma attack, hypoglycemia).
- Action Protocols (II): communication with emergency services and safe patient transport.
‘
- System Architecture and Components: Structural design, materials, and subsystems (mechanical, electrical, electronic, and fluid) with selection and assembly criteria for marine environments
- Fundamentals and Principles of Operation: Physical and engineering foundations (thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, electricity, control, and materials) that explain performance and operating limits
- Safety and Environmental (SHE): Risk analysis, PPE, LOTO, hazardous atmospheres, spill and waste management, and emergency response plans
- Applicable Regulations and Standards: IMO/ISO/IEC requirements and local regulations;
- Conformance criteria, certification, and best practices for operation and maintenance
- Inspection, testing, and diagnostics: Visual/dimensional inspection, functional testing, data analysis, and predictive techniques (vibration, thermography, fluid analysis) to identify root causes
- Preventive and predictive maintenance: Hourly/cycle/seasonal plans, lubrication, adjustments, calibrations, consumable replacement, post-service verification, and operational reliability
- Instrumentation, tools, and metrology: Measuring and testing equipment, diagnostic software, calibration and traceability; selection criteria, safe use, and storage
- Onboard integration and interfaces: Mechanical, electrical, fluid, and data compatibility; Sealing and watertightness, EMC/EMI, corrosion protection, and interoperability testing.
Quality, acceptance testing, and commissioning: process and materials control, FAT/SAT, bench and sea trials, go/no-go criteria, and evidence documentation.
Technical documentation and integrated practice: logs, checklists, reports, and a complete case study (safety → diagnosis → intervention → verification → report) applicable to any system.
- Initial Patient Assessment: ABCDE (Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Neurological Deficit, Exposure) in the maritime environment.
- Basic Life Support (BLS): CPR in adults, children, and infants on board vessels.
- Hemorrhage Management: Control of external bleeding, use of tourniquets and compression bandages.
- Wound Treatment: Cleaning, disinfection, and bandaging of common wounds on board.
- Burns: Assessment and initial treatment of thermal, chemical, and sunburns.
- Musculoskeletal Injuries: Immobilization of fractures and sprains, pain management.
- Hypothermia and Hyperthermia: Prevention, recognition, and treatment in extreme conditions.
- Drowning and Rescue Aquatic safety techniques: safe rescue, resuscitation, and post-rescue care.
Common illnesses on board: seasickness, dehydration, gastrointestinal infections, allergies.
Emergency communications: distress call (MAYDAY), communication protocols, and coordination with maritime rescue services.
‘
Career opportunities
- Recreational Craft and Yachts: Crew responsible for safety and medical care on board.
- Merchant and Fishing Vessels: Crew member trained to act in medical emergencies.
- Oil Platforms and Offshore Wind Farms: Safety and emergency personnel with knowledge of first aid at sea.
- Maritime Tourism and Cruise Companies: Medical assistant or crew member responsible for primary care.
- Marine Rescue Organizations and Coast Guards: Volunteer or professional trained to respond to emergencies at sea.
- Nautical Sporting Events and Sailing Competitions: Medical or support personnel with specific knowledge of first aid in the maritime environment.
- Marine Research and Expeditions
Scientific personnel: Team member capable of responding to medical emergencies in remote areas.
Diving and underwater activity companies: Diving guide or instructor trained in first aid and water rescue.
“`
Admission requirements
Academic/professional profile:
Degree/Bachelor's degree in Nautical Science/Maritime Transport, Naval/Marine Engineering, or a related field; or proven professional experience in bridge/operations.
Language proficiency:
Recommended functional maritime English (SMCP) for simulations and technical materials.
Documentation:
Updated resume, copy of degree or seaman's book, ID card/passport, letter of motivation.
Technical requirements (for online):
Equipment with camera/microphone, stable connection, ≥ 24” monitor recommended for ECDIS/Radar-ARPA.
Admission process and dates
1. Online
application
(form + documents).
2. Academic review and interview
(profile/objectives/schedule compatibility).
3. Admission decision
(+ scholarship proposal if applicable).
4. Reservation of place
(deposit) and registration.
5. Induction
(access to campus, calendars, simulator guides).
Scholarships and grants
- Essential Techniques: Master rescue, stabilization, and patient transfer maneuvers in isolated maritime environments.
- Medical Equipment: Learn the use and maintenance of specialized onboard emergency equipment, from defibrillators to advanced first aid kits.
- Action Protocols: Develop skills for making quick and effective decisions in critical situations, following international protocols.
- Realistic Drills: Participate in practical simulations that replicate common emergency scenarios at sea, reinforcing your response capabilities.
- Professional Certification: Obtain a recognized diploma that validates your knowledge and skills to act as a first responder at sea.
Testimonials
This diploma program exceeded my expectations. The combination of theory and practice, especially the sea rescue simulations, gave me the confidence and skills needed to handle medical emergencies at sea. I now feel prepared to respond effectively and provide life-saving care in critical situations.
The Diploma in Security, Emergencies & First Aid provided me with the tools and knowledge necessary to act confidently and effectively in critical situations. I applied the techniques I learned during a traffic accident, successfully stabilizing a victim with an open fracture until the arrival of medical services. My quick and precise intervention, a direct result of the training I received, was crucial in minimizing the consequences of the incident and possibly saved a life.
I successfully completed the Diploma in First Aid at Sea, acquiring crucial skills for responding to medical emergencies in maritime environments. I applied this knowledge effectively during a voyage, stabilizing a crew member who had suffered an open fracture until we reached port and received specialized medical attention. Thanks to the training I received, I was able to remain calm, control the bleeding, and minimize the pain—actions that the doctor later confirmed were vital to his recovery.
This diploma program exceeded my expectations. I acquired essential theoretical and practical knowledge for responding to medical emergencies at sea, from stabilizing trauma patients to managing common marine illnesses. The hands-on training with realistic simulations and the emphasis on teamwork gave me the confidence to act quickly and efficiently in critical situations. Thanks to this program, I feel fully prepared to handle any medical eventuality on board.
Frequently asked questions
Personnel who work or carry out recreational activities at sea, such as sailors, fishermen, cruise ship personnel, divers, etc.
Yes. The itinerary includes ECDIS/Radar-ARPA/BRM with harbor, ocean, fog, storm, and SAR scenarios.
Online with live sessions; hybrid option for simulator/practical placements through agreements.
Probably, but it’s important to confirm with the institution offering the diploma, since the main focus is first aid.
Recommended functional SMCP. We offer support materials for standard phraseology.
Yes, with a relevant degree or experience in maritime/port operations. The admissions interview will confirm suitability.
Optional (3–6 months) through Companies & Collaborations and the Alumni Network.
Simulator practice (rubrics), defeat plans, SOPs, checklists, micro-tests and applied TFM.
A degree from Navalis Magna University + operational portfolio (tracks, SOPs, reports and KPIs) useful for audits and employment.
- Introduction to Basic Life Support (BLS) in Maritime Environments
- Initial Patient Assessment: Nautical ABCDEs
- CPR: Adaptations to the Maritime Environment (Humidity, Movement)
- Airway Management: Suctioning, Oropharyngeal and Nasopharyngeal Airways
- Bleeding: Direct Control, Improvised Tourniquets
- Trauma: Cervical and Extremity Immobilization
- Burns: Assessment and Initial Treatment at Sea
- Drowning and Water Rescue: Basic Techniques
- Hypothermia and Hyperthermia: Prevention and Management in vessels
Effective communication with emergency services and telemedicine
‘
Request information
Complete the Application Form.
Attach your CV/degree certificate (if you have it to hand).
Indicate your preferred cohort (January/May/September) and whether you would like the hybrid option with simulator sessions.
An academic advisor will contact you within 24–48 hours to guide you through the admission process, scholarships, and compatibility with your professional schedule.
Faculty
Eng. Tomás Riera
Full Professor
Eng. Tomás Riera
Full Professor
Naval engineer specializing in the selection, integration, and optimization of propulsion systems for yachts, high-speed craft, and service vessels.
Eng. Sofía Marquina
Full Professor
Eng. Sofía Marquina
Full Professor
Materials engineer specializing in marine composites and corrosion protection systems for ships, yachts, and port structures.
Eng. Javier Bañuls
Full Professor
Eng. Javier Bañuls
Full Professor
Naval electrical engineer with over fifteen years of experience in the design, integration, and operation of power and automation systems.
Dr. Nuria Llobregat
Full Professor
Dr. Nuria Llobregat
Full Professor
Specialist in meteorological and operational decision-making for coastal and offshore navigation, integrating wind, wave, and current models.
Dr. Pau Ferrer
Full Professor
Dr. Pau Ferrer
Full Professor
Naval engineer with a PhD in applied hydrodynamics and over a decade of experience designing high-performance hulls and marine structures.
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)
Full Professor
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)
Full Professor
MCA-certified captain with command of ocean-going vessels, specializing in advanced maneuvering, navigation management, and bridge safety.