medical kit on board... a lesson learned

captainslarty

captainslarty

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Hello all
Well, I am writing this from a very nice hospital bed in La Coruna....... thought I would pass on a small story of how easy things can go pear shaped and the importance of having the right gear on board, the right information and the skills to use the information and the kit.
I cant say its a tale of problems at sea, but could so easily have been.
We were seriously contemplating heading over to the Azores for the winter,but in the end decided to winter here again.
4 weeks ago I got the normal (so I thought) summer cold.. sore throat, headaches etc...
No probs... after 3 days I could not swallow food, 4 days, couldnt swallow water, 5th day, in hospital with drips and drugs and antibiotics.. aparantly I had a bacterial as opposed to viral infection of the sinuses and throat. I couldnt believe how quickly it all happened, from a slight sore throat to hospital in 5 days, I was severely dehydrated by day 5 too.
to cap it all the infection now seems to have led to possible meningitis, (back in to a neuro ward) but at least it is improving.
If we were at sea could we have coped, barely !!!. my kit is good, I am an ex paramedic, but......
I have had a kick up the backside (mentally) from this to get our kit in order, up to date, and comprehensive. This kind of infection, if untreated, can prove fatal, either renal failure or meningitis.

Even something as short as a biscay crossing could be problematic without the gear, I dont think anyone would think twice about setting off with a simple sore throat. A passage to the azores is around 9 days for us.

If you travel off shore, get the kit, the Ship Captains Medical guide is probably as good as it gets, scale down the quantities for the number of crew, and do it. Before you NEED to have to use it. Go on a GOOD quality first aid course, find experienced instructors, if you dont know their actual experience - ask them. Take updates if needed to the training.

Hope this helps someone to think twice about the kit, for the price of a good anchor or two you can have a good kit. one day, like the anchor, it may just save your hide.

Joe.
 
Re: medical kit on board... a lesson learned

Get well soon!
What would you have had in the medical kit?Broad spectrum antibiotics? How to know when to administer what if one's just an ordinary sailor, not a paramedic?
 
Re: medical kit on board... a lesson learned

If you go back through this forum (or search) there is a thread on medical kit. I listed what is needed (Ship's Captain level). I haven't posted it again because it's long.

As far as knowing what to do - a good medical course, a copy of the book mentioned and have the right comms kit to get advice (SSB or satphone).
 
Re: medical kit on board... a lesson learned

Absolutely.
The Ship Captains Medical Guide (UK) is excellent. As sias above, it lists a full kit that some may feel OTT, it is NOT, the quantities need to be scaled down for number of crew but not necessarily the contents. Even maternity drugs for a make crew may assist another boat and dont add much to the cost.
It is easier if the boat is part 1 registered.
Training is a pet moan of mine. If you can, make sure the instructor has real world experience, not just out of a book, thats the hard part. In the thread Kelly mentioned, I suggested if in the uk, using the Ambulance service training available externally. The temptation for someone with lack of experience is to overtreat, not necessarily a bad thing, but can lead to high stress levels in both the patient and the practitioner. The ability to seek help via radio is a necessity, another great reason for SSB radio tx rx. It is also no good having one trained person on board (Unless single handed of course), it could be that person who is ill !. Most of us dont hesitate at buying an epirb, liferaft etc. add the above to your list if offshore. Make sure the crew can handle and sail the boat.
Anyone who ventures offshore and thinks they dont need this is probably fooling themselves.
 
Sorry to hear about your misfortune.
Speedy recovery.

Never sail longtime without the wife - former Army nurse.
Carry a very comprehensive med kit - she's got enough to carry out minor ops (fixing broken limbs, stitching, etc...) and antibiotics to combat most stuff

If interested I could PM you the list of what we carry
 
avery sorry to hear of your misfortune, hope you get well soon.
Met a friend yesterday who went from cut on his hand to hospital with infection in a day. Both these stories have definitely concentrated my mind on upgrading medical kit onboard. Question is - what's the best way of doing so. Boat is Spain, most bits probably available over the counter but what about antibiotics? I was talking to a company at last boat show who said they would put a full kit together as spec by the buyer and send it out to you - lost the card though, anyone used this route?
Again, speedy recovery and hopefully some good may come of your sharing the story.
 
Thanks for the concern Sir, I am certainly on the mend I think, having an MRI tomorrow as a final check.
Best way to get the kit is (Afaik), if in the uk, and part 1 registered (Does not apply to ssr !) then the MCA website has an order form to dl for the captain to order drugs, the MCA carries a list of appointed pharmacies for such a function. As a ship captain you can do this. You will pay full price for all items, no normal nhs etc reduction applies.
Other way is to find a doctor locally in spain, preferably as for one who deals with the local vessels (fishing, cargo etc) and obtain private presriptions (Receta Medico in Spain) and get them over the counter, the list of recommended drugs and items is again available from the MCA website. Dont underestimate the price of the full kit though, but this is now not a worry as I class the importance the same as Epirb or Anchors or Liferaft etc, you NEED it, so you find the dosh.
Again if you are part 1 reg ring the MCA in the uk, many internet cafes can give you 6 hours to the uk for a 6 euro card.
Talk to them, they are very helpful.
You MUST document and keep all the prescriptions, store certain medicines and drugs in a locked area. Keep logs of expirey dates and usage etc.
Hope that helps. Dont forget that to administer an IV drip, for example, you need to have access to the vein, that means canulation of the vein. Not a skill taught on a basic first aid course, asceptic techniques are also required for some interventions. Injections and suturing are other skills needed. Again, the mca may well recommend suitable training.
As an example, for some people it may be much better to stop at rya coastal skipper than to bother with yot meister if money is tight, the money saved can go towards or pay for the kit and quality training. The sailing is the relatively easy part in the great scheme of things. You dont have to remember all the drugs and skills etc apart from the manual ones. Just a darn good background. Then you use the book more or less to the letter with outside assistance and advice if necessary and available.
Joe
 
>most bits probably available over the counter but what about antibiotics?

Not sure of the latest in Spain but you used to be able to buy many UK prescription drugs OTC in Spain. Worth checking.
 
Re: medical kit on board... a lesson learned

Very helpful comments and I hope you recover quickly.

What do you mean though by "It is easier if the boat is part 1 registered."? What is and why?
 
Please don't forget the free 'European Health Insurance Card' - for those who qualify - which conveniently attaches inside one's EU passport using that silicone-rubber glue stuff used to hold cover discs onto magazines.

Some liveaboard friends didn't bother applying for these when they left Bristol a few years ago, despite being reminded twice by friends; he knelt on a protruding screw-head while crossing Biscay, and their trans-ocean trip nearly ended permanently in Camarinas, for they couldn't afford the cost of private hospital treatment that was required to treat the sepsis.....

They are indebted to a 'liveaboard' German doctor using the same anchorage, who saved the day.

/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
Good point Bill.
I had a very small infarct (Thrombosis) in the brain last year and through ignorance went to a local private hospital thinking the card would cover it... 4 days and 3000 euros later..................... then I was transferred to the local hospital due to the fact they presumed I had little money, they presumed correctly lol.. a further 3 weeks was needed but the nhs paid for that, think what the cost would have been privately.. eeek !
Joe
 
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