Question

The weather would be turning bad overnight, but late on a sunny afternoon in gentle seas, the Commanding Officer (the CO) had a fresh cup of coffee in hand and enjoyed what little was left of the day in his designated chair on the bridge. It was an older ship, but she could still perform in an award-winning way, even if she could not land helicopters like the newer ones. They had just secured a helicopter from "flight quarters." The aircraft carrier had delivered the mail and some repair parts by lowering them by winch while still flying over the stern. The coffee was good, and all was well on board. Most of the planned work for the day had been accomplished as well, and crewmembers not on watch had some time for themselves. A young seaman was getting his physical fitness training by lifting free weights with friends. Unexpectedly, the restraining collar on the barbell came loose and the weights on that end fell off--the heavy end came straight down on the seaman's foot and broke some bones. After a quick check by Doc, a senior enlisted Hospital Corpsman, it was clear that the seaman needed a medical evacuation to the aircraft carrier, where higher levels of diagnosis and care were available. The CO would surely not be pleased! Only the helicopter flight crew was certified to fly after dark, and twilight was coming soon. The seaman's needs were beyond the capability of the medical staff on board. No further helicopter operations were scheduled for the day. The aircraft carrier was a significant flying time away, and it was unclear whether an unscheduled mission could be completed before dark. The weather conditions would be too bad for flying tomorrow--probably the next day as well. If the flight was to happen, the CO would need to arrange it with the Carrier Air Group Commander right away. Meanwhile, the injured seaman was in much pain and in significant need of care. He had never flown in a helicopter and was afraid of flying. He had not received the training for being hoisted from the deck into a flying helicopter or training in emergency egress procedures, and the broken bones in his foot were causing lots of pain anyway. A decision was needed, and there was little time to make it. If the medical evacuation mission were to be conducted, the conditions were less than great. Good advice was to be had from the Corpsman and others in the command, but the final assessment of the risks involved and the decision of what to do would rest with the CO alone. There was nothing else to be done on the ship for the injured seaman except to sedate him. And the sun was getting lower in the sky . . . quickly.

Examine the Case Study for your analysis about professional responsibilities and decision-making during a crisis called "Command at Sea." discuss the decision possibilities within the case study and create a report of your findings.

Answer 1

I personally think that there were conditions which can not be considered right from any perspective. When you are in sea then there is extreme requirement of periodical checking of whole working area. Exercising area was under the danger which caused the fatal injury to one of the crew member.

Ensuring the safety of staff members relies on those officers who are in in charge of whole operations and who has commanding power. He should have write down about the improvements of working areas so that safety of staff can be ensured.

Another factor here which brings confusion to mind that why there was no facility of flight in night. Bad time never considers the timing of day. It comes accidentally. It is our duty to be prepared for worst scenario. If night flight facility was not available then medical facilities must have been there in order to counterattack any harsh situation.

I think at the time of injury we can analyse the situation critically. Suppose if sedation can work effectively then there is no need take risk of night flight. If night flight is the only option then we should take the risk in order to save a life.

Broken leg is a fatal injury but it is not severe as it can not prove to be a cause for someone's death. Head injuries create lethal impacts. These can cause death. In such cases, risk of night flight could be taken but as the case given in question, I think sedation would be the best way to deal with the situation. In morning the injured crew member can easily be deport to get the medical facilities.