2007, Piran, Slovenia

Working Environment
Casualty handling onboard a DC: Casualty handling onboard the DC to and from the
treatment area was assessed in a calm sea with the DC secured on the ERRV. This exercise
initially required two crew members to lift and carry a 70kg dummy from the after-deck,
through the cabin doorway, down two steps, and positioning it on the lower bench in the
upper cabin. The dummy was then transferred through another hatch, down three steps and
positioned on a bench in the lower cabin. Finally, the dummy was carried from the lower
cabin, up the steps into the upper cabin and out through the doorway onto the deck. These
tasks were undertaken with the crewmembers attempting to bear the weight equally between
them, and undertaken both with and without the use of a stretcher. At the end of each task the
crew were asked to record their RPE.
RESULTS
MOB Exercises: In calm seas, manoeuvre time averaged 10.4 (2.6) s and manual recovery
time averaged 20.3 (8.6) s, using the Jason’s cradle resulted in a slower recovery time 46
(10.1) s. Manoeuvring the dummy along side the DC and recovering it from the water was
found to be stressful and increased HR (Table 1). In rougher sea, the mean HR during the
MOB rescue was 151 (18) bpm. Using the Jasons cradle and having 3 crewmembers to
perform the recovery was easier than recovery with just 2 crew members. Grip, leg and back
strength were not reduced following the MOB exercises (Table 2).
Table 1. Heart rate and RPE during MOB exercises (N=2, those wearing monitors).
S5 S6
HR RPE HR RPE
E1 133 12 116 13
E2 120 9 107 9
E3 110 12.7 112 12.6
E4 92 9.1 89 10.9
E5 107 13 108 12
Hauling the casualty on to the craft required the use of high force application in stooped and
twisted postures. In order to grab hold of the casualty in the water the rescuer had to stretch
out whilst leaning over the sea, at risk of over-balancing and falling in. There was very
limited space for two individuals to coordinate their efforts and share the demands of
recovering the casualty on board equally. Therefore, a greater load was borne by one
individual who became fatigued more quickly, creating the need to swap over duties.
Table 2. Grip strength of subjects participating in the MOB exercises.
Right Grip Strength (kg) Left Grip strength (kg)
Subject S5 S6 S8 S5 S6 S8
Start 53 41 56 37
After E1 62 51 64 40
After E2 56 44 51 64 41 48
After E3 58 43 60 35
After E4 46 45 53 59 36 54
End 57 49 51 61 39 49
Casualty handling onboard a DC: The casualty handling task required each handler to lift and
carry an inanimate load of at least 35 kg in awkward, stooping or twisted postures. The RPE
561