Medical First Aid On Board Ship Refresher Course

The Medical First Aid on Board Ship (MFOBS) Refresher Course provides a streamlined update on essential life-saving skills, ensuring seafarers remain ready to act as effective first aid providers on board vessels and offshore installations.

Why Choose The Medical First Aid on Board Ship Refresher Course at SFATC?

• MPA Recognized: Specifically developed to meet the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) requirements for seafarers and offshore personnel.
• Expert Instructor Lead: Our trainers are experienced first aid professionals dedicated to your competency.
• Industry Trusted: Recognized by organisations across Singapore as the primary training for first aid preparedness.

What You Will Learn:

• CPR & AED: The latest resuscitation protocols to sudden cardiac arrest including execution of high-quality CPR and operation of the AED.
• Manage Specialist Trauma: Handle complex scenarios including spinal management, drowning, and toxicological hazards.
• Coordinate Advanced Care: Effectively utilize radio medical help, onboard pharmacology, and sterilization techniques.
• Ensure Patient Safety: Perform effective patient handling, transportation, and the maintenance of hygiene standards at sea. 
• Safety & Reporting: Understanding first aid kit and equipment maintenance, medical reporting and rapid evacuation.

Why Choose SFATC:

• 24 Years Of First Aid Excellence: SFATC has a robust track record of over 2 decades in the first aid training industry
• Over Half A Million Trained: We have trained and certified over 500,000++ learners to date from all sectors
• Locally And Internationally Accredited: SFATC is the only first aid and life support training centre in Singapore that is accredited both locally and internationally
• Singapore’s Highest Rated Training Provider: With over 32,000 Google Reviews and a 4.9-star average, our commitment to excellence speaks for itself. 

“Amazing course, excellent trainer taught well, details well explained, pace is just right.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Richard Zhao

The goal of the Medical First Aid on Board Ship Refresher Course is to equip you to:

• Assess with Speed: Execute systematic examinations of casualties to determine the severity of illness or injury.
• Perform with Precision: Execute high-quality CPR and follow AED safety protocols correctly.
• Manage Specialist Trauma: Handle complex scenarios including spinal management, drowning, and toxicological hazards.
• Coordinate Advanced Care: Effectively utilize radio medical help, onboard pharmacology, and sterilization techniques.
• Ensure Patient Safety: Perform patient handling, transportation, and the maintenance of hygiene standards at sea.
• Complete Assessments Successfully: Excel in the MPA-required theory assessments and practical evaluation stations.

To successfully complete the Medical First Aid on Board Ship Refresher Course, you will need to

• Attend all in-class sessions
• Achieve a minimum 80% score for the Medical First Aid on Board Ship Refresher Theory Assessment
• Successfully complete all practical evaluations and skills stations. 

Although most learners succeed at first try, up to 3 attempts are given to complete all assessments successfully.

Medical First Aid on Board Ship Refresher Course learners must be

• Proficient in English
• Able to perform moderate physical activities such as CPR
• Willing to practice techniques on one another
• Holding a valid Medical First Aid On Board Ship Certification (valid or within 3 months of expiry)

Medical First Aid on Board Ship Refresher Course FAQs:

Who is required to take the Medical First Aid on Board Ship Refresher (MFOBS) Course? 

The Medical First Aid on Board Ship Refresher course is required for all seafarers and offshore personnel who must respond to medical and trauma emergencies at work. This training ensures organizations meet mandatory regulatory requirements for emergency preparedness.

How often do I need to take the MPA Recognised Medical First Aid on Board Ship Refresher Course? 

The Medical First Aid on Board Ship Refresher certification is valid for 5 years. To maintain your qualification for compliance, you must attend a refresher course within 3 months of current certificate expiry.

What is the difference between the Full Classroom Medical First Aid on Board Ship Course and Medical Care on Board Ship Course? 

While both courses are recognized by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and comply with STCW standards, they differ in depth of training and assigned responsibility. Medical First Aid on Board Ship (STCW A-VI/4-1) is a 24-hour course (3 days) focused on providing immediate medical assistance to injured or ill persons at sea. It covers essential life-saving skills like CPR, AED, wound management, and basic patient examination. Successful completion of this course is a mandatory prerequisite before you can enroll in the Medical Care On Board Ship Course. Medical Care on Board Ship (STCW A-VI/4-2) is a more advanced 28-hour course (3.5 days) designed for those with the ultimate responsibility for medical care on a vessel. It goes beyond basic first aid to include complex nursing care, disease treatment, administration of medication (including injections), dental care, and even managing childbirth or death at sea. In short, Medical First Aid focuses on immediate stabilization, while Medical Care provides the comprehensive skills needed to manage a patient’s health over a longer duration while the ship is at sea.

What is the difference between the Medical First Aid on Board Ship Course and the Occupational First Aid Course?

The approach for responders on board a ship demands specific interventions which are unique in the offshore context. The Medical First Aid on Board Ship (MFOBS) Course is specifically tailored for maritime environments. It includes specialised modules like Radio Medical Advice, toxicological hazards aboard ships, and medical care for rescued persons. The Occupational First Aid (OFA) Course focuses more on workplace emergencies and does not cover these specialised offshore and on-vessel modules.

What specific life-saving skills are covered in the Medical First Aid on Board Ship Refresher Course? 

You will refresh how to perform high-quality hands-only CPR and AED operations for adults, as well as manage injuries like bleeding, fractures and burns. In addition, you will review pharmacology, sterilization, and how to administer injections on board. 

Is this course accepted by MPA for seafarers and offshore personnel?

Yes. The Medical First Aid on Board Ship Refresher Course is recognised and accepted as the qualification required to perform first aid on board a vessel.

Are there any prerequisites for enrolling in the MFOBS Refresher course? 

Participants should be proficient in English, able to perform moderate physical activities like CPR, and willing to practice techniques on fellow learners. 

Can I use the Maritime Cluster Fund (MCF) to offset course fees for the Medical First Aid on Board Ship Refresher Course? 

Yes. The MFOBS Refresher course is eligible for MCF funding. However, application for MCF is not automatic and has to be applied early during registration. 

I don’t have past exposure to first aid. Will I struggle with the Medical First Aid on Board Ship Refresher Course? 

The Medical First Aid on Board Ship Refresher Course is structured to be accessible for those without a medical background, taking you from foundational concepts to advanced maritime life support. The curriculum begins with a thorough revision of basic first aid principles and body structures to ensure everyone starts with the same baseline. From there, our experienced instructors guide you through a step-by-step progression of practical simulations, ranging from wound management to CPR and AED usage. Because the training is highly interactive and relies on hands-on practice, you will have ample opportunity to refine your techniques under expert supervision before moving on to evaluations. Our goal is to ensure that even a complete beginner gains the confidence and precision required to manage a medical crisis in an isolated marine environment.

If I wish to become a first aid instructor, does the Medical First Aid on Board Ship Refresher Course meet the prerequisites?

The Medical First Aid on Board Ship Refresher Course does not meet the qualifying prerequisites for the entry into the first aid instructor course in Singapore (Standard First Aid Instructor Course). Although there are overlapping topics between the Medical First Aid On Board Ship Refresher Course and the Standard First Aid Course, there is a significant difference in the approach and methodology towards first aid. As such, aspiring instructors are still required to undergo Standard First Aid Course certification to meet the provider level requirement for the Standard First Aid Instructor Course. 

What happens if I miss a session or fail the assessment? 

To remain eligible for SSG funding, you must use the Singpass app for attendance and pass all assessments. If these requirements are not met, the trainee or sponsoring company may be liable for the full, non-funded course fee.

How many attempts do I have for the Medical First Aid on Board Ship Refresher assessments? 

Most Medical First Aid on Board Ship Refresher learners succeed on their first try; however, we provide up to 3 attempts to complete all theory and practical assessments successfully.

Is the Medical First Aid on Board Ship Refresher Course easy? Will it be difficult to pass the MFOBS Course?

While the Medical First Aid on Board Ship Refresher Course is intensive, it is designed for experienced seafarers. It is easy to follow and delivered in a highly interactive manner to encourage retention, but does require learners to invest effort to fully grasp the concepts delivered. Nevertheless, the success rate for learners is very high, and learners complete the course feeling confident and better prepared to perform in emergency situations.