# The Effectiveness of Instructor Course of Basic Maritime Emergency Care on Knowledge and Skill Among Laypersons: A Mixed Methods Design

## TL;DR

This study shows that a maritime emergency care training program significantly improves knowledge and skills among laypersons and healthcare providers.

## Contribution

The study introduces a mixed-methods approach to evaluate a training program's effectiveness in maritime emergency care for laypersons.

## Key findings

- Both healthcare providers and laypersons showed significant improvements in knowledge scores after the training.
- Skill scores were high for both groups, indicating strong competency development.
- Participants reported high engagement and found the training relevant to maritime emergencies.

## Abstract

Effectiveness of basic emergency care by bystanders is the cornerstone of ensuring maritime safety. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the BMEC‐TC program in enhancing both knowledge and practical skills related to maritime emergency care among layperson participants.

A mixed‐methods design, integrating both quantitative and qualitative approaches to evaluate the program’s impact, was employed from March to October 2021. Pre‐ and post‐training assessments of knowledge and practical skills were utilized to measure learning outcomes. In addition, qualitative data were collected through group discussions to explore participants’ perceptions and experiences regarding the training program.

After participating in the BMEC‐TC program, both healthcare providers and laypersons demonstrated statistically significant improvements in knowledge scores (p < 0.001). Post‐test mean ranks were considerably higher than pretest ranks for both groups, indicating enhanced understanding. Skill scores after training were notably high for healthcare providers (M = 90.81, SD = 2.81) and laypersons (88.80, SD = 3.92), reflecting strong competency development. Practical assessments further confirmed substantial gains in clinical performance. Participants also reported high levels of engagement and widely acknowledged the training’s relevance and applicability to daily maritime emergencies. The findings highlighted four key elements: 1E: Empathy and Knowledge Exchange in Healthcare Training, 2E: Encouraging Knowledge Sharing and Active Learning through Real‐Life Experiences, 3E: Effective Communication for Practical Skills, and 4E: Ensuring Comprehensive Understanding to Prevent Misapplication.

The BMEC‐TC program effectively improved knowledge and skills in maritime emergency care education within local communities. This study highlights the importance of an integrated training approach that combines cognitive learning with practical application.