A really good reminder and check list for everything that you should have aboard Cathy; well done.
It is really funny hearing the different things that you have learnt, not 6 month after I took part in a similar course. One big question it does pose however is whether the out of date knowledge is still of some use.
Details in administering CPR since I first did a St John ambulance course as a Brownie some 15 years ago, are positively un recognisable to the techniques adopted today. Now of course you should go out with a trained first aider aboard, but if their skills are out of date – are they doing more harm than good?
I was told to always give a cardiac pound with your fist in case that would get the heart going if the patient is in shock, but it has now been taken off the syllabus. Luckily I never had to perform it, but if I did would I have done the patient damage?
With all the technological advance in medicine I can see that they are just trying to improve things, but if it is a method that has been used for hundreds of year fine up until now, does it really need to change quite so frequently?
Hi Cathy I was always told that cotton wool was a big no in a first aid kit due to the fact a lot of people misuse it and it can cause more problems to an open wound than you first think? As you say though the rules and procedures do change over time - is this one of them?
The other thing to remember with medication in the kit is that some people will be allergic to them - e.g. asthmatics should not be given ibrophen as it can agrivate the asthma etc. You need to check with your crew as to whether they can take the meds in the kits before you leave - and also know where their personal meds are in case of emergencies - e.g. my husband to be is diabetic and carries insulin - would people know what to do?
Hi Jude. Yes, it was made clear to us that cotton wool was only to be used as padding OUTSIDE a dressing. Sorry for confusion. Very interesting subject. But one of those areas of knowledge you hope never to have to use un anger, as it were. Worst problems on our boat seem to be seasickness, occasional rope burns (we now make gloves compulsory) and the odd hangover...
Yes that is correct – you shouldn’t use cotton wool as it can reopen the wound after it has clotted. Gauze is what is now recommended as it won’t pull of scabs and doesn’t disintegrate allowing cotton fibres to get into the opening which can cause infection.
With regards to pain killers etc. – everything you should contain within your first aid kit should be hypoallergenic. They should most certainly NOT be sold to you with paracetamol, ibuprofen, etc. in as many people are allergic to this. However it is recommended that you carry some with you and get people to fill in forms detailing allergies and illnesses so that you can administer it if necessary.
If it is a case of a more sever illness such as diabetes; all crew should be taught what to do if the crew member experiences a hyper or hypo as your most experienced sailor will probably be needed to control the boat if it all goes pear shaped, rather than administer first aid.
Yes, that is why RORC insists that at least one third of the Fastnet race crew have had the ISAF first aid/sea survival/heavy weather sailing course, so that if there are any problems there are a few people who know what needs to be done. In the worst case scenario (skipper goes over the side!) the boat and crew should therefore be safe. The 1979 disaster caused tragic loss of life, but as a result, a lot of thought went into ensuring that the same mistakes would never be made again. True, we could get exactly the same weather conditions again, but with better forecasting, better awareness, and better designed boats, there is every reason to expect that everyone should survive. In a way it is ironic that so much effort goes into training race crews, as in a race situation there are usually lots of other boats around you, and plenty of help on hand. What you really need the survival training for is when you are cruising alone, as a couple or family, and have no-one else to fall back on.
A friend has asked me to stress that in the case of a heart attack - "surely the most common thing we are likely to run into with middle aged sailors" - the single most important thing is to get half an aspirin into them. "It makes such a huge difference to survivability and dramatically reduces the damage to them," he said. "I am on a mission about this, as I may be the one needing the treatment!"
Hi, Never used this site before but the subject you are discussing is of interest to me. After working as a college first aid co-ordinator for many years I have left to set up my own first aid company. I am also a scuba diving instructor, so used to the marine side of things. Answers to some of the above 1. Even though first aid does change, the use of out of date skills will not harm anyone and it is better to use the knowledge you have rather than do nothing. Attending a refresher first aid course is not that expensive though and is the best way to go. 2. Aspirin. Someone who suffers from a heart attack may be given aspirin only if-They are not allergic to it-They have no history of stomach ulcers-are not pregnant-do not suffer from Asthma, so the answer is not quite as clear cut as giving it to anyone, but is fine to give if the casualty has their own supply of aspirin with them-always worth checking before leaving shore. I think that covers some of the above but if anyone wants more details please e mail me on info@bfa2000.co.uk The changes are brought about mainly as a result of further data becoming available and a decision is made by the Resuscitation council. Every 3 to 5 years they get together to make any changes.
As a multi-discipline watersports instructor I have to take a first aid course every two or three years. I took my last one with a colleague (RYA certificated) instructor at the start of last season. It was a one to one session so she was fairly forceful with some good role playing at the type of incidents you are likely to expect around boats. I was horrified at my own performance in that I had forgotten so much in just 3 years. When she shouted 'what do you do, come on DO SOMETHING' it was a wakeup call that I listened to clearly. Too many of my first aid courses in the past have been a bit non-participative with too much PowerPoint. As a skipper you just have to be on the ball and I really think that even the basic first aid courses must have fairly stiff practical tests, during the session, to a national standard. If you are going to give up a whole day for a first aid course then it should be as pro-active as possible to ensure its still their, if and when the crunch comes. Many years ago I did 3 months at 2 hours/week pool training at a sub-aqua club for my basic diving theory award. It was all practical and even though I don't dive I still remember 90 percent of what I was taught.
Yes, I agree that practice beats lecturing, any time. However, my other half still has a funny shoulder from being over enthusiastically placed in the recovery position by a keen first aider at the last course we did!
Recently being the first on the scene of a pub brawl, leaving a gentleman unconscious and bleeding from several wounds, it is somehow quite reassuring when you go in to auto pilot and know what measures to put in place. While my friend called for backup, I started applying pressure to bleeding wounds and doing a basic assessment on the casualty. These skills have defiantly been gained from practicing them in a first aid class, rather than from listening to the theory side of it – though that does help too.
Thanks for a good article. My husband is just off to the UK for a First Aid course update and I'm about to tackle the contents of the First Aid kits on board our training yachts, so this is helpful.
We have a mailing list of our ex-students - our 'Crew Club' who get special discounts and offers of crewing on deliveries etc. so I think I will refer them to this article in my next newsletter.
BTW we had one local charter skipper who did a First Aid course with us 2 years ago and had to put his skills into operation the very next week! Someone was taken seriously ill and collapsed. Luckily it was on shore and so easy to get them to hospital but he says that he felt very reassured to know what to do.
