Cpr

How many of us are current in their CPR certification or has at least one member on the boat who is when you're on the water. We are not current but after reading the thread about AED's, oxygen and CPR it will be something I'll look into ASAP.

ACLS, CPR current have ava. AED to take cruising and O2

I have to stay CPR/AED certiified as well as first aid for my job.

I was CPR/AED current until retirement 2 1/2 years ago. I think cruising with an AED is a great idea.

I was CPR and AED certified prior to retirement from the Fire Department 2 years ago. I'm no longer officially certified but I know how to perform CPR and that's what really counts. For those that can afford an AED I believe they are worth having. I've seen far more saves with the AED than CPR, even with the infusion of cardiac drugs.

Totally agree. The AED's are an acute cardiac arrest's best chance for a meaningful outcome

We are both certified and have completed our our Medical Officer in Charge requirements.

We just felt we had to be prepared in every way possible in the event of issues. The one thing that could destroy our love for boating would be a tragic death that might have been averted had we just had training. We carry very extensive medical kits on board.

BandB said:

We are both certified and have completed our our Medical Officer in Charge requirements.

We just felt we had to be prepared in every way possible in the event of issues. The one thing that could destroy our love for boating would be a tragic death that might have been averted had we just had training. We carry very extensive medical kits on board.

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Do you work on a cruise ship?

This was posted over in the cruising with elderly thread...think it fits here to as a partner with training....

My biggest flying award was for MEDEVACing the ships doctor off a Russian freighter.


Even the best laid plans have glitches....


Seriously though....if you have greater probabilities of needing medical care while boating, staying closer to shoreside facilities is advisable.


Also often forgotten by boaters, the minute rescue conditions start to deteriorate, the time of rescue can start to go up exponentially.


I have always advised people that boating, even in populated areas can be and often is like wilderness camping. Calling the USCG (or any rescue operation) or 911 doesn't mean help comes fast.


Anything that helps is great...but often administering CPR, AED, First aid, ...etc...etc takes additional crew as the skipper is busy with the vessel and or rescue communications.


Make sure if you are short handed, having a mobile radio or sat phone, allows you to be closer to the patient but still split between two important activities.


Reality is for many boaters, planning is as important as the medical care. In many cases boaters are torn and frustrated between helping the injured yet still trying to aid in rescue operations. Know that...be at peace with that.

Yep. AED and CPR certs. Try to stay current with changes.

psneeld said:

]Anything that helps is great...but often administering CPR, AED, First aid, ...etc...etc takes additional crew as the skipper is busy with the vessel and or rescue communications..

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You make an excellent point and if we're wandering from from shore, we do make sure our crew size is beefed fully up. In those cases we have more people trained both to handle the vessel and to take care of the ill or injured.

One other point. The majority of injuries and illnesses on the water have nothing to do with sea conditions. Many are very minor things not taken care of, such as a cut, to infection, to infection spreading. Food borne illnesses, such as Salmonella or Listeria. Or major like heart attacks that can happen anywhere. Many are things that could have just as easily happened on shore had the individual been there. Then you have the water related ones like cuts while swimming or bites. And the falls which can take place anywhere on land or sea. A concussion from a fall sure becomes complicated if the sea is exceptionally rough.

The further we are from shore, the more trained persons we will have on board.

Can we always be successful? Of course not. Doctors in hospitals certainly are not. But we're going to be prepared and we're going to try. We're also going to contact experts, whether it's a trauma unit in the closest hospital or a company like MedAire which has a response center. We know we may not win the battle to save a life but we're not going down without fighting with all we have.

Some of the simple precautions need to not be overlooked either. If traveling abroad, the vaccinations and immunizations. Wherever you're going, basics like flu shots, pneumonia vaccines, shingles vaccines. One last one. Careful food handling. Number one cause of illness at sea today is Norovirus. It's known as the cruise ship disease. That and senior living facilities. It spreads so rapidly. Which brings us into isolating those on board with viruses and infections. Having one person sick is one thing. Having your entire boat sick is another and further endangers everyone. Just think of trying to Captain with Norovirus.