Answers needed

[Hugo_Andreae]

Hello all. Any chance I can stir you into action? We could do with some useful/interesting/entertaining answers to our monthly "What Now.." quandry. The scenario is below. Please pm me with your actions or post them below. The best ones will be included in the July issue of MBY. Thanks

Hugo

"You and your girlfriend are enjoying a trip along a fairly remote coastline about five miles offshore in your 45ft flybridge cruiser. The weather is fine and the nearest safe haven is your home port 30 miles away.

You realise that your partner, who went down to the galley for some 'supplies' has been gone rather a long time. You call her on the intercom but get no reply. Putting the boat on autopilot, you go down to check that's she's okay, only to find her lying unconscious on the cockpit sole.

You turn her over gently to find that she's obviously broken an arm and there's a trickle of blood from one ear. You immediately make a Mayday call to the Coastguard, who say that a helicopter will be with you in 15 minutes. What now, skip?"

 

[hlb]

I think I would be far to busy following instructions/advice from the CG or Helicopter. But if in the meantime, I could make a few miles back to port, I would do. Less told otherwise.

 

[peterb26]

Is the broken arm a simple break or a serious compound job?

 

[peterb26]

Turn the boat downwind, slow to most comfortable speed and engage autopilot. Ignore where home port is – the helo does 150mph over the ground. Go for the most comfortable ride/speed.

Then do basic first aid on the casualty.

Check breathing and circulation. The blood from the ear probably suggests that circulation is present anyway, although you do say “trickle”.

Assuming breathing and circulation are both present – then check the rest of the body for any other injuries – she may well have cut some part of her when she fell, and you need to be sure that the injuries are just what you can see and nothing else.

Assuming she only has the ear and arm damage – and assuming its not a compound fracture of the arm – then you need to get the ear uppermost while she is in the recovery position so that gravity helps stem the bleeding.

Suggest making a neck brace – easily done out of newspaper folded into a long strip and then carefully put round the neck and secured with a bandage. Then adjust the casualties body (bearing in mind the broken arm) so that the damaged ear is uppermost.

After this – return to check breathing and circulation etc etc..

This process should have stabilised the casualty – and you should then be able to work with the Coastguard who will by then have got you a linked call to the local hospital.

 

[rickp]

Who did you put on the helm to keep a lookout and keep you off the rocks?

Rick

 

[kingfisher]

the broken arm is not immidiately relevant, the bleeding ear is. It could indicate cerebral trauma. I would try to put the victim in the h.e.l.p. or recovery position, (http://www.themediweb.net/resuscitation/recoveryframe.htm) stabilise that position with pillows, put the boat on the most stable/slowest heading and await further instructions from the CG.

BTW, that should be a "pan pan medico" rather than a mayday, but I don't think that the authorities will revoke your licence for that.

 

[rickp]

I thought Pan Pan Medico had been discontinued and its just Pan Pan now.

Rick

 

[flipper]

The bleeding ear suggests serious head trauma and you dont die from a broken arm but if time permits you could isolate the injury with a sling to make her more comfortable. I agree with getting the boat moving at the most comfortable motion. Check for clear airway, breathing and circulation, also to keep the casualties head slightly elevated to keep blood pressure to the minimum.

 

[KevB]

Throw a bucket of water over her and demand to know why she is taking so long with your 'supplies'

 

[marine]

I think if SWMBO found out I had a girlfriend and a 45ft cruiser, it would be me facing a bloody ear and broken arm!!

However IMHO
Stop the boat and check the horizon, then take any medical instruction to make the patient more comfortable and satablize any movement (to avoid potential further injury)

Limited mdeical knolwedge would suggest that if there is a head injury and visible sign of a strike to the head a cold compress to reduce or control swelling may help.

Once happy you have taken all the steps you can and given the calm conditions, get under way assuming the most comfortable ride for the patient, whilst maintaining contact with the Coastguard.

As the boat will need to be underway for a safe transfer for the Helicopter any reduction in distance to the coast will help.

 

[hlb]

This is the trouble with these types of hypethetical questions. We're told that the weather is calm. Now if it's calm enough to make some headway home, thats where I'd go. But then theres calm/calm and calm.

But mostly, having had similar (Not as serious) experiences. The first ten or so minutes will be taken up, by umpteen questions from the CG, then theres getting the boat on a suitable course, whilst watching out for lobster pots and other dangers. Soon there will be the helicopter, giving more instructions I cant see there being much time to make slings, or much else. So maybe better just to keep the boat running as safely and smothly as possible, now if it was half an hour, that might be another thing.

 

[Major Catastrophe]

My first consideration - after calling for help - is to ventilate the boat in case the collapse was caused by carbon monoxide. Only a precaution, but it would be handy if I didn't also collapse.

Next place her in the recovery position and switch control of the boat from the fly bridge to the lower steering position.

 

[scubaman]

Maintaining lifeline, treat for shock, ensure free breething, etc. I would be very careful in moving her, apart setting her on her side to aid breathing.

After that, prepare for the arrival of the helicopter. Lower the VHF-aerial and other things sticking out of the boat. Make finding you as easy as possible: get flares ready. Clear the bathing platform from dinghies, etc. Remove cockpit covers if on. Put on your lifejacket (if not on already). And check on the girlfriend while doing this. Wait for instructions from the helo and turn the boat so that it is as steady as possible.

 

[SilverTT]

First things first. Place old towel or similar for the blood to fall onto to save the carpet from staining. Blood stains are terrible to get rid of.

 

[Chas25]

[ QUOTE ]
BTW, that should be a "pan pan medico" rather than a mayday, but I don't think that the authorities will revoke your licence for that.

[/ QUOTE ]

Unless I was a doctor or qualified medical person, if someone was unconscious with blood coming out of there ear I think I would consider that person to be "in grave and imminent danger" and in need of "IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE" /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[mjf]

Cut speed down to manouvering revs & head into wind. Check position carefully.

Ensure Ch16 selected on VHF and volume high enough so you can hear it as will be unattended. Then if safe to do so maintain auto pilot selection and attend / stabilise the casualty.

Identify landing place for winchman/Dr say swim platform - consider launching tender if in the way. Maintain visual / VHF watch for assistance and follow instructions.

 

[ggt9]

Have you recently picked up a stranger from another vessel?

In which case, get the shotgun from the flybridge locker, load it and leave it on the coach roof, run through the boat and hide in all the compartments in turn then lock all the doors and kick them down, get the harpoon gun and shoot the dog, pull the battery isolator key out and throw it overboard, have sex, climb up mast and sail around for a bit looking magnificent, deploy liferaft then shoot it repeatedly with red paraflares, find a sinking ship, set fire to it then pick up any survivors with one hand while passing them at full speed, finally relax on foredeck with cocktail.

Sorry... learned everything I know about yachting from catching the tail end of Dead Calm on the TV the other night. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[itsonlymoney]

[ QUOTE ]
Throw a bucket of water over her and demand to know why she is taking so long with your 'supplies'

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree with Kev, thats the thing to do /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

..............hurry up with my stubby B***h /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Cymraeg]

Would probably resist the temptation to move the casualty as head trauma involved, unless airways restricted. First and foremost would be to press the big red button on the DSC as this will transmit position.

 

[Coupe]

Get a call into all the local boutigues and shoeshops advising them of the severe impact this will have on their trade /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif