Pre-hospital, Maritime In-Transit care from a Role 2 Afloat platform

Area of Science:

• Emergency Medicine
• Maritime Health
• Pre-hospital Care

Background:

• The maritime environment presents unique challenges for providing timely medical care.
• Existing medical capabilities in maritime settings may be limited, especially during transit.
• Role 2 Afloat (R2A) teams are established for medical support in deployed naval operations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce the concept of Maritime In-Transit Care (MITC) teams.
• To outline the role of MITC within the broader R2A framework.
• To describe the practical experiences of an MITC team during a maritime exercise.

Main Methods:

• An Emergency Medicine nurse and a Medical Assistant formed the MITC team.
• The team participated in a Role 2 Afloat (R2A) exercise aboard RFA CARDIGAN BAY.
• Personal experiences and the operational concept were documented.

Main Results:

• The MITC concept was successfully introduced and integrated into the R2A exercise.
• The experiences of the MITC team provided practical insights into maritime pre-hospital care.
• The role of MITC within R2A was clarified through practical application.

Conclusions:

• Maritime In-Transit Care (MITC) is a viable concept for enhancing pre-hospital medical support in maritime operations.
• The integration of MITC teams within R2A structures is feasible and beneficial.
• Further exploration and implementation of MITC are recommended for improving casualty care at sea.