Amari
Well-Known Member
Wow, maybe a hospital ship should shadow you.
How about emergency obstetrics? Forceps and Caesarian Section kit could save the day
How about emergency obstetrics? Forceps and Caesarian Section kit could save the day
Whats in your first aid kit?
- Thread starter Scillypete
- Start date
KellysEye
Well-Known Member
Yes there is some duplication and yes we are aware of temperature considerations. Expiry dates need to be listed also but many UK prescription drugs can be replaced cheaply OTC outside the UK. Venezuela was a case in point.
lille_bee
Well-Known Member
Re: I think
No, he hasn't forgotten the inflatable splints, they're listed under "instruments and hardware", 3rd line from the bottom... As for the morphine amps, he's got Zydol amps, which are just as good but not classed as a Controlled Drug, so easier to procure.
No, he hasn't forgotten the inflatable splints, they're listed under "instruments and hardware", 3rd line from the bottom... As for the morphine amps, he's got Zydol amps, which are just as good but not classed as a Controlled Drug, so easier to procure.
A
Anonymous
Guest
Re: I think
When home nursing a terminal cancer patient who was on opiates for pain relief, we had Oramorph syrup as a backup, which was at that time not a CD but a POM. This made it easy for the doc to prescribe and the patient found it very useful as it took effect immediately and gave a 'lift' - just what was needed to get the pain under control until the other analgesics and other opiates from slow release or patches could start to work.
I don't carry strong opiates on board, but I did wonder whether Oramorph would be a good idea for extreme pain, without giving the doc big problems in prescribing?
The big issue for us with opiates was terrible constipation for which we found lactulose brilliant yet visiting docs and nurses seemed very surprised - they never seemed to use it for that. We do keep lactulose on board, plus Dulcolax suppositories, which nobody else has mentioned. Constipation can be very debilitating.
When home nursing a terminal cancer patient who was on opiates for pain relief, we had Oramorph syrup as a backup, which was at that time not a CD but a POM. This made it easy for the doc to prescribe and the patient found it very useful as it took effect immediately and gave a 'lift' - just what was needed to get the pain under control until the other analgesics and other opiates from slow release or patches could start to work.
I don't carry strong opiates on board, but I did wonder whether Oramorph would be a good idea for extreme pain, without giving the doc big problems in prescribing?
The big issue for us with opiates was terrible constipation for which we found lactulose brilliant yet visiting docs and nurses seemed very surprised - they never seemed to use it for that. We do keep lactulose on board, plus Dulcolax suppositories, which nobody else has mentioned. Constipation can be very debilitating.
lille_bee
Well-Known Member
Re: I think
The weakest strength of Oramorph (10mg/5ml) is still only a POM;it is often prescribed in palliative care for breakthrough pain, and it could be suitable in emergencies on board. I've experienced a single, 10mg-dose of morphine once, and am not keen to repeat that again in a hurry, as it left me with a banging headache for 48 hours after... constipation was the least of my worries!
I have to agree with you on the importance of carrying some sort of laxative on board: many people don't eat enough fruit & veg when on board, or are "inhibited" by the unfamiliar heads-arrangement, which leads to anal retention... No, I'm not joking!
The weakest strength of Oramorph (10mg/5ml) is still only a POM;it is often prescribed in palliative care for breakthrough pain, and it could be suitable in emergencies on board. I've experienced a single, 10mg-dose of morphine once, and am not keen to repeat that again in a hurry, as it left me with a banging headache for 48 hours after... constipation was the least of my worries!
I have to agree with you on the importance of carrying some sort of laxative on board: many people don't eat enough fruit & veg when on board, or are "inhibited" by the unfamiliar heads-arrangement, which leads to anal retention... No, I'm not joking!
roly_voya
Well-Known Member
Re: I think
Nothing you don't know how to use. The problem is that if you have to deal witha major accident/emergency several days from land you may be going well beyond the first aid sylibus. Basic first aid courses such as the 3 day public first aid course aid to teach you what do do for the 15-20min it takes you to get the ambulance. Even the most advanced courses such as the ones designed for mountain rescue teams still only look at care for a period of a few hours plus transporting casualties and assume radio contact with a Dr. As far as I am aware the only UK training couse specifically aimed at non medical personel working offshore is the ships capptains medical cert' so I would say do that course and follow the advice in the book about what kit to carry, that way you are staying within your training and accepted guidlines. I would also say that this is one of the occasions where SSB could be your best freind, either for advice or to contact a nearby ship with better facilities and trained personel. Generally I would say for injuries stick the the priciples of first aid, that is keeping the patient alive and as stable as possible rather than trying to 'treat' or repair injuries. For illnesses including infections talk to your GP about where you are going and for how long and follow thier advice and preferably have printed directions as the where and how to use them, also have some means of getting advice from a GP before you use drugs (SSB, satphone etc)
I would certainly advise caution when considering stuff like sutures and local anastetics or any other injectables, do you have the knowlage and equipment to deal with potential adverse side affects? do you have the skills and experience to use them correctly?
Nothing you don't know how to use. The problem is that if you have to deal witha major accident/emergency several days from land you may be going well beyond the first aid sylibus. Basic first aid courses such as the 3 day public first aid course aid to teach you what do do for the 15-20min it takes you to get the ambulance. Even the most advanced courses such as the ones designed for mountain rescue teams still only look at care for a period of a few hours plus transporting casualties and assume radio contact with a Dr. As far as I am aware the only UK training couse specifically aimed at non medical personel working offshore is the ships capptains medical cert' so I would say do that course and follow the advice in the book about what kit to carry, that way you are staying within your training and accepted guidlines. I would also say that this is one of the occasions where SSB could be your best freind, either for advice or to contact a nearby ship with better facilities and trained personel. Generally I would say for injuries stick the the priciples of first aid, that is keeping the patient alive and as stable as possible rather than trying to 'treat' or repair injuries. For illnesses including infections talk to your GP about where you are going and for how long and follow thier advice and preferably have printed directions as the where and how to use them, also have some means of getting advice from a GP before you use drugs (SSB, satphone etc)
I would certainly advise caution when considering stuff like sutures and local anastetics or any other injectables, do you have the knowlage and equipment to deal with potential adverse side affects? do you have the skills and experience to use them correctly?
BrendanS
Well-Known Member
Re: I think
there are many, who have picked up bits and pieces along the way, that could reasonably use those skills in an emergency. Most won't have a clue, despite first aid courses.
It's the use of little bits of knowledge that concern professionals, with good reason.
there are many, who have picked up bits and pieces along the way, that could reasonably use those skills in an emergency. Most won't have a clue, despite first aid courses.
It's the use of little bits of knowledge that concern professionals, with good reason.
A
Anonymous
Guest
Re: I think
I've noticed a couple of relations of mine who have never had any first aid or medical training, or even worked on the periphery of a health related job, talking about medical issues as though they were doctors. I put it down to those reality medical programmes.
They might sound convincing but I don't fancy coming round after a faint to find either of them peering down at me!! Are we entering an era in which peoples' perception of their skills hugely exceeds their ability?
I've noticed a couple of relations of mine who have never had any first aid or medical training, or even worked on the periphery of a health related job, talking about medical issues as though they were doctors. I put it down to those reality medical programmes.
They might sound convincing but I don't fancy coming round after a faint to find either of them peering down at me!! Are we entering an era in which peoples' perception of their skills hugely exceeds their ability?
Scillypete
Well-Known Member
thanks all
Lots of interesting stuff to take in here. Myself and my crew have all done first aid courses so thats not an issue really. What does bother me is taking along medicines of which we have not a clue about administering, so I think sticking with what we may have a chance of getting right would be best.
Thanks everyone for your lists of stuff, I'm off to see my GP now to see if he'll prescribe something useful and impart some advice on what to do with it and when.
Lots of interesting stuff to take in here. Myself and my crew have all done first aid courses so thats not an issue really. What does bother me is taking along medicines of which we have not a clue about administering, so I think sticking with what we may have a chance of getting right would be best.
Thanks everyone for your lists of stuff, I'm off to see my GP now to see if he'll prescribe something useful and impart some advice on what to do with it and when.
franky
Well-Known Member
Don't forget the "body bag"
A
Anonymous
Guest
Re: thanks all
It doesn't do any harm to have medicines which can be given on the advice of a doctor over the radio or satphone - so long as don't take it unless you are happy that you know what you are doing, no problems? But, temperatures can get high. That is a problem for us, finding space where we can keep meds as most of our side cupboards can get up to the late 30s or more. We have a wire rack just over the keel which stays quite cool, and all the sensitive stuff goes there.
It doesn't do any harm to have medicines which can be given on the advice of a doctor over the radio or satphone - so long as don't take it unless you are happy that you know what you are doing, no problems? But, temperatures can get high. That is a problem for us, finding space where we can keep meds as most of our side cupboards can get up to the late 30s or more. We have a wire rack just over the keel which stays quite cool, and all the sensitive stuff goes there.
paulineb
Well-Known Member
Some Mr Men plasters and a bottle of brandy
Haven't-a-Clue
Well-Known Member
Jesus Kerrist! I hope you know how to use that stuff! I work in an operating theatre and some of the stuff you list would be difficult for ME to get hold of! and where the Hell do you store it! By my calculations, you'ld need a hold-all the size of a suitcase! I do say however that I'm suitably impressed and of course, no offence intended. I'm glad I only go about 3 miles offshore, I'd hate to think how much I'd need if I went further!