OTHER NURSING PROCEDURES

The first aid kit A has a "rectal infusion set" and a "bladder drainage set", as well as a "urinary probe", in DRAWER 12. The procedures to perform these manoeuvres pose a significant risk, and should be used only under medical criteria and by trained personnel , following the instructions given on the sets and by the doctor.

OXYGEN THERAPY

The ship's first aid kits (kinds A and B) have, within the Resuscitation suitcase (OTHER MATERIAL OUTSIDE THE DRAWERS), an oxygen therapy apparatus with a valve inside, which allows the use of either medicinal oxygen in a cylinder or industrial oxygen.

The oxygen is provided in metallic bottles under high pressure. There is a pressure valve that allows us to reduce and adjust the pressure. It has two chambers:

• High-pressure chamber, which has a thread (A) to be adjusted to the cylinder. There is a pressure gauge with a scale from 0 to 315 bar (B) that shows the oxygen pressure inside the cylinder.
• Low pressure chamber, which has another gauge (gas flow meter) with a scale from 0 to 15 litres/minute (C) which shows the number of oxygen litres per minute administered to the patient. The litres/minute may be adjusted with a valve (D).
  
  [Some models, have another mouthpiece, besides the oxygen mouthpiece (E), to adjust a device (F) which allow us to aspirate the victim's secretions or vomits.]

To find out how long a cylinder will provide oxygen for, we must multiply its volume in litres by the pressure in bar as shown by the manometer. (For example, a two litre bottle at 260 bar: 2 x 260 = 520 litres. If we administer oxygen at 5 litres/minute: 520 / 5 = 104 minutes = 1 hour and 44 minutes).

Picture 6-37: Resuscitation suitcase
with oxygen therapy device.

Picture 6-38: Valve that allowsthe
use of industrial oxygen.