First aid

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Graham_Wright

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Having just experienced a minor (wife disagrees) injury (hers) at home, I realised how inadequate our first aid kit was. The skin perforation was minute but pumping blood out alarmingly and the pain was extreme (something fell on her foot). The blood resulted from a burst artery and a subsequent X-ray revealed a broken toe bone. Researching what was commercially available to supplement our inadequate kit, I was disappointed (and shocked at the price).

This led to thinking what is advisable at sea. Postulate mid Med say two days from land and a compound penetrating limb fracture. Agony, blood, danger of worsening the injury and great risk of serious infection. This is a very easy situation to imagine.

What do forumites recommend and anyone know what is available?
 
St Johns do first aid courses - try your local organisation. Our Adult Ed centre did a First Aid at Sea day, expect the sailing schools do as well. These courses concentrate on practical tactics (without real blood) so that when she's fluting, "Don't just stand there, DO something" you are more likely to get going on the right track rather than have to look in a book first.
 
It's a question of balancing what you need to carry and what you might predict you need. Lots of companies supply suitable kits like this one:Offshore kit

But of course like everything it is a matter of choice and their are many basic kits on the market but worth spending a few minutes working out what your predicted requirements are likely to be.
Cost vary hugely but you get what you pay for and although hopefully you NEVER use it if the worst happens, it will provide means to manage injuries and trauma whilst help is on it's way so worth investing a few quid. I carry the equivalent to an offshore pack supplimented by an additional kit including painkillers - other various pills and potions - space blankets, eye solutions, antiseptic solution, lots of additional dry dressings - and a few rolls of micropore. tweezers, scissors finger splints etc.

Most important tool for dealing with injuries is means of communication to access medical advice and support if required and of course none of these items are of any use if you don't at least know the basics of first aid,courses are often available locally at little cost.
 
Ultramarini on this Forum has developed and teaches a First Aid course specifically for sailors, during which she addresses all (and more) of the concerns you mention above.
And she has 'been there and done it' at sea, hence has useful first hand experience, unlike many courses which might be run by land lubbers.
 
There is an excellent company called SP services who I have bought FA equipment off in the past (www.spservices.co.uk). They supply ambulance services and hospitals but will happily supply small numbers of item. I built my own kit for about £30-40 using bits from them, including Guedel airways, gell burns dressings etc. I just keep it all in 2 large O ring sealed food tubs, one for dealing with minor problems and the second containing stuff I need if things are going very badly wrong. A good initial recommened list can be found in the RYA Boat Safety Handbook but I have added quite a lot to this.

Regarding First Aid courses there are many excellent ones. The RYA one is very basic but there are several wild country/Remote areas first aid courses which are excellent. The best way is try and get on a course taught by trained medical trainers.
 
Some good suggestions here. The key things that most people miss are gel-type burn dressings and cold packs for "soft tissue injuries" to reduce pain and swelling. Most amateur first-aid kits contain masses of roller bandages and dressings of rather limited use. I would also include an Epipen (one-use injection pack in case anyone shows signs of anaphylactic shock after a sting) and, for passages of more than a couple of days, antibiotics suited to wound or dental infections and some heavy-duty non-opiate analgesics. You will probably find your GP helpful over this.
 
St Johns also do lots of different kits, but not a specific marine range. Check out the major trauma kit, somehow I dont think that will be in my santa list.

They also do lots of the consumables.
 
One of the best medical courses that I have done was the 'Ship's Captains Medical Course'. We covered huge amounts beyond standard first aid - putting in canula's, stitching and up to and including minor amputations. It means I can carry some prescription only drugs for offshore sailing and is supposed to give one the confidence to talk to the doctor on the radio and treat the patient/casualty when beyond helicopter assistance.
 
I agree the standard first aid kit seems quite limited.
I bought a military surplus first aid kit which is very extensive about 8 x 16 x 16 inches and feel very well catered for.
It cost me £50 which I think was good value.
 
I don't have a high opinion of StJohn's, although it must be better than having no knowledge. It mainly concentrates on calling 999/112 and looking after the casualty for the 8-10 mins for an ambulance to arrive (IMHO).
Get your training from someone specialising in Outdoor/Remote Area aid, and see what they recommend regarding a kit of supplies. They should also tell you who they get their materials from, eg SP, as mentioned above.

PS I did my annual update last week (I am an outdoor instructor), so I think my opinion is reasonably informed /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Having a first aid kit is no use if you do not know how and when to use the contents.
The Crusing Association run a TWO day RYA first aid course and the instructor is a retired A &E Consultant and also a Sailor so if you want to do do a course check out the qualifications of the instructor.
Basicly seperate your kit into three parts 1.Medicines 2.Dressings 3.Applications.
On board my boat i keep in the cutlery drawer a pack of waterproof plasters.In a cupboard in the heads there is a basic motorists first aid kit These are both easy access so for minor incidents quickly available.
For major problems I have a large locker filled with all the dressings and meds that I think I might need.
After my girlfriend tripped whilst we were walking ashore I now carry with me a small belt first aid pack with a couple of antiseptic wipes a few plasters and a bandage.
The most important thing is to appreciate where you might be sailing and how far you are away for proper assistance.
 
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The most important thing is to appreciate where you might be sailing and how far you are away for proper assistance.

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That's the nub. First Aid is aimed at stabilising the casualty and getting them to a proper medical centre for treatment, if required. This means diagnosing the problem, and probably maintaining breathing, stopping or controlling bleeding and immobilising fractures.
It may be, on a boat, that you have to go that stage further and administer further treatment yourself.
Rather more of a responsibility.
 
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Rather more of a responsibility.

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Indeed, tho I suspect you'd have more of a clue than many, as would I, but not as much as say Cutter who is a surgeon.

We all make decsions based on our knowledge and experience.
 
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This led to thinking what is advisable at sea. Postulate mid Med say two days from land and a compound penetrating limb fracture. Agony, blood, danger of worsening the injury and great risk of serious infection. [ QUOTE ]


The 1 Day RYA first aid at sea (designed for up to 60 nm from shore) will provide you with basic first aid skills which will help - where ever you are and, even if you may be 2 days from land, help may be closer than you think so it is important you know how to summon help where ever you are.

If you wnat to learn how to care for a casualty 'post emergency' I reccomend the proficiency in medical care (ships captain medical) which is a five day course, you will need to have the 4 day First aid at Work qualifacation or the 3 day marine equivalent to qualify for this course, or have worked (in applicable area) as a health care professional (go to the MCA or RYA web site for course info and centres near you).

You may not get much change from 8-9 days and approx £700 therfore If you opt for a one day course make sure the course you take is given by an instructor who understands and teaches aquatic first aid.

If you choose none of the above then make sure your crew composes of a nurse, aneathatist and a surgeon! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
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One of the best medical courses that I have done was the 'Ship's Captains Medical Course'.

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I have done the H & S first aid course and the refreshers but am interested in the Ships Captains MC course you mention.

Can you supply further details of venues, duration and cost.

The more I have learnt though has made me feel even more lacking in knowledge. I have had to strap up a fracture wrist on a lady at work and I was surprised how nervous I was especially as she was in a large amount of pain. Even things like how to lift her up after immobilising shoulder (to get her into car to take to hospital) is more difficult than you think!

I would have hated to have faced the same situation on a rocking boat.
 
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