PISTA BLOG#05:THE OFFSHORE MEDIC-IMPORTANCE & ROLE

  

 THE OFFSHORE MEDIC

                     It is common knowledge that the medics working aboard Offshore Oil & Gas Rigs or Platforms often need to take on an expanded health care role. This is a necessity because most of the offshore rigs may be located quite far away from clinics and hospitals. Oil companies would not be able to properly treat workers with injuries if they do not have thoroughly trained and gritty offshore paramedics.

 

To work aboard such remote work-stations, the paramedic has to have the same health-based education as required in any other type of EMS work…but there is a catch to this.

 

Given the remote location and challenging working conditions of Oil & Gas Rigs, an Offshore Medic also needs to be equipped and prepared at all times and should have certain specific medical training as well as advanced emergency training along with some good experience in the area – (for example 5 or more years)–before they are able to start working aboard oil rigs. 

 

Of course, they also receive bigger salaries due to the hazardous nature of their work areas, which could include fires, explosions, and toxic gas leaks to list a few…

 

GENERAL DUTIES OF AN OFFSHORE PARAMEDIC

                    Paramedics working for O&G Rigs which are usually located far from populated areas may be required to travel a lot when responding to certain emergency calls. They may sometimes have to solely diagnose health problems via the observation of symptoms and patient interaction.

 

In many cases, the medic will also have to perform physical work, manipulating, lifting, and carrying patients as well as heavy equipment like stretchers in addition to repairing and cleaning the medical equipment while managing to keep track of the inventory thus making sure the equipment is ready to handle any potential emergency that might occur.

 

Contracting paramedics out to oil rigs and providing them with additional training for various tasks such as capturing electronic medical data and providing assistance for helicopter landing procedures may be arranged by Medical Solution provider companies.

 

Such medical solution provider companies even offer advanced education programs for trauma care, clinical duties, and even cardiac life support. 

 

A Medical Director appointed by the Medical Solution provider company may supervise the actions of an Offshore Paramedic who has been contracted for working on an O&G Rig. 

 

SOME FAST FACTS:

        In an Offshore Working environment, the oil companies and operators are responsible for providing medical services to everyone. Offshore Paramedics/nurses use advanced telemedical equipment with a connection to shore if they need to consult a doctor.

The percentage of injuries offshore has declined in recent years. Ten years ago, over 30-32 percent of consultations were due to injuries, while the rest were medical emergencies (illness). Today, the percentage of injuries is around 15-18 percent.