"SAR-First-Responder Sea" - backgrounds to a medical education concept in German SAR service.

We present backgrounds to a medical education concept for the full-time rescue men on the vessels of the German Maritime Search and Rescue Service (DGzRS, English: GSRS). In contrast to land-bound emergency services, the daily work spectrum of the GSRS rescue men is mainly characterised by technical assistance for sea-going ships, and searching procedures but not medical emergencies. Nevertheless, severe medical exigencies might occur aboard sea-going ships, with immediate need of professional medical treatment. Thus, a professional medical training course adapted to the needs and costs of maritime search and rescue procedures at German Coasts was set up and has now been unveiled.