{"id":355,"date":"2025-09-26T14:52:07","date_gmt":"2025-09-26T14:52:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/yachtersworld.com\/?p=355"},"modified":"2025-09-26T14:52:07","modified_gmt":"2025-09-26T14:52:07","slug":"how-to-cope-with-a-medical-emergency-at-sea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yachtersworld.com\/?p=355","title":{"rendered":"How to cope with a medical emergency at sea"},"content":{"rendered":"

How do you prepare for every first aid eventuality including a medical emergency at sea? We get expert advice on how to prevent medical incidents offshore, and what to do if you need help<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Without medical services, how do you keep yourself, your crew, or your family healthy? It\u2019s one of the most daunting elements of sailing offshore.<\/p>\n

We joined crews preparing for the Grand Large Odyssey: a three-year, 35,000-mile round the world rally organised by Grand Large Yachting, builders of Outremer, Gunboat, ORC, RM, Allures and Garcia brands, for owners of those boats (the next edition starts in November this year).<\/p>\n

Ahead of the rally start, GLY held a \u2018World Odyssey University\u2019; a week-long series of seminars and networking events crammed with information for participants.<\/p>\n

One of the recurring topics was healthcare on board, including a full-day seminar led by Dr Matthieu Coudreuse, an ER doctor who specialises in medicine in isolated and offshore environments. Coudreuse has worked as the onboard doctor on an icebreaking expedition vessel, in remote tropical clinics and with disaster relief teams. The GLY entrants also heard a presentation by previous rally crews on how to avoid or handle health issues based on their experiences and learnings. These are some of the key takeaways:<\/p>\n

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A medical kit to cover most likely eventualities is essential offshore<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Before you go<\/h2>\n

Preparing the humans is as important as preparing the yacht. Just as you wouldn\u2019t set out without servicing the boat\u2019s engine, allow enough time for medical checks, including a visit to the GP, optician and dentist. Advice is that \u2018men of a certain age\u2019 should also consider visiting a urologist.<\/p>\n

If you have any health conditions that require ongoing medication, such as diabetes meds or blood thinners, discuss with your doctor how to carry enough supplies to allow for delays or re-routing.<\/p>\n

Look at the areas you plan on, or might consider, visiting and ensure you\u2019re up to date on vaccinations (eg hepatitis, rabies, tetanus, typhoid, yellow fever or encephalitis). Proof of vaccination is mandatory for some countries. Make sure any crew or guests planning on joining the voyage do the same, and that everyone on board has comprehensive health insurance.<\/p>\n

Article continues below\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

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Seasickness: How to prevent it and how to cope with it<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/header>\n
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On one of my earliest trips as a professional sailor a wise old skipper gave me some seasickness advice at\u2026<\/p>\n<\/div>\n