OCC Forums » Seamanship » Medical matters at sea » Emergency service at sea

Emergency service at sea

Thierry — Sun, 12 Sep 2021 20:55:30 GMT

Does anyone have experience with sites proposing to answer calls in case of medical emergencies while at sea or in remote areas?

RE: Emergency service at sea

Dick — Sun, 12 Sep 2021 20:55:30 GMT

+x[quote]

[b]Roberto.Ritossa - 12 Sep 2021[/b]
Hello,
may I add CIRM, Centro Internazionale Radio Medico, web site http://www.cirmtmas.it/
Based in ROme, they provide free medical advice to seafarers in English and Italian language.
It was founded in 1935 (I think the historically second such center of medical assistance to mariners), they deal with thousands of cases per year, from fishermen to cargo ship crews, to pleasure sailors; just have a look at their yearly statistics/archive. All advice is free.
They can be contacted through phone or mail, see here:
http://213.183.150.75/_cirmtmas/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/CIRM_report-prova-finale-3.pdf
For those using Winlink, this form is available among Winlink templates.
They are recognized by MRCCs as one of the official entities entitled to require Medical evacuations.

ps we had to call them once while crossing the Atlantic (suspect of invalidating sinusistis): sent email through Winlink with all the details (descriptions of patient, symptoms, etc plus available drugs onboard), we checked again the email half an hour later and there was their answer, they asked a followup every 12 hour which we could not afford due to radio propagation, they perfectly understood and gave according advice.
[/quote]

Hi Roberto,
Nice report. I especially liked the Winlink connection as it is a largely unheralded way to stay connected at sea.
My best, Dick Stevenson, KC2HKW

RE: Emergency service at sea

Roberto.Ritossa — Sun, 12 Sep 2021 20:13:45 GMT

Hello,
may I add CIRM, Centro Internazionale Radio Medico, web site http://www.cirmtmas.it/
Based in ROme, they provide free medical advice to seafarers in English and Italian language.
It was founded in 1935 (I think the historically second such center of medical assistance to mariners), they deal with thousands of cases per year, from fishermen to cargo ship crews, to pleasure sailors; just have a look at their yearly statistics/archive. All advice is free.
They can be contacted through phone or mail, see here:
http://213.183.150.75/_cirmtmas/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/CIRM_report-prova-finale-3.pdf
For those using Winlink, this form is available among Winlink templates.
They are recognized by MRCCs as one of the official entities entitled to require Medical evacuations.

ps we had to call them once while crossing the Atlantic (suspect of invalidating sinusistis): sent email through Winlink with all the details (descriptions of patient, symptoms, etc plus available drugs onboard), we checked again the email half an hour later and there was their answer, they asked a followup every 12 hour which we could not afford due to radio propagation, they perfectly understood and gave according advice.

RE: Emergency service at sea

Thierry — Wed, 08 Sep 2021 16:35:37 GMT

Dear All,

We made a deal with The first Call Medical service (https://www.thefirstcall.com). Making the deal was easy. The manager was responsive.

I received a sheet describing procedures in different levels of urgency.

I did request advice for a dental problem. An answer came within few hours. It was sound and signed by a professional who seems to have all the required capacities.

I'll continue with them in coming years when needed.

RE: Emergency service at sea

Dick — Fri, 30 Apr 2021 16:00:55 GMT

+x[quote]

[b]Thierry - 30 Apr 2021[/b]
Yachts are apparently not the core business of these organisations. They shoot on bigger targets. Our contact seemed, however, to be willing to discuss and accomodate.

Training is indeed fine, part of the official training to get the Swiss sailing paper. But this does not replace a good contact. All the more so since we hope to never use the training, which tends to rust.

Thanks for the discussion. I'll post whatever evolves from this.

Cheers

Thierry
[/quote]

Hi Thierry,
I am glad you are getting training. I would suggest also spending some time with an emergency wilderness medical book. A good one is suggested in the Forum pages on the subject.
And you are correct to flag that training can "rust" away. I should have mentioned that periodic re-freshers are important. Also mentioned in these pages was a wilderness emergency medicine course that my wife and I took on-line this last covid year: probably not as good as in-person, but a very good re-fresher.
My best, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy

RE: Emergency service at sea

Thierry — Fri, 30 Apr 2021 15:16:48 GMT

Yachts are apparently not the core business of these organisations. They shoot on bigger targets. Our contact seemed, however, to be willing to discuss and accomodate.

Training is indeed fine, part of the official training to get the Swiss sailing paper. But this does not replace a good contact. All the more so since we hope to never use the training, which tends to rust.

Thanks for the discussion. I'll post whatever evolves from this.

Cheers

Thierry

RE: Emergency service at sea

Roger Harris — Thu, 29 Apr 2021 14:31:42 GMT

Wow! “No reply from Praxes” appears to say all that needs to be known about their service level. I second Dick’s comment about prioritizing training and practice over purchasing ‘stuff’.

RE: Emergency service at sea

Dick — Thu, 29 Apr 2021 11:59:37 GMT

+x[quote]

[b]Thierry - 29 Apr 2021[/b]
Dear All,

Thanks for your comments and suggestions. I have had no reply from praxes and decided to continue with the International Centre for Emergency Medicine. They offered me a monthly deal (100 Pounds) for the length of time needed which seems reasonable.

I'll keep you informed on the quality of the contact, although I do hope that we won't need them.

It would indeed be good to have an OCC recommendation, or collective deal, with one company. The web pages of the organisations I looked at are rather thin on real information, in particular for our community.

Thierry
[/quote]

Hi Thierry,
I suspect you have this covered, but for other readers, I would wish to strongly suggest that those wandering widely by boat have at least one person, preferably every person and especially if a husband-and-wife team, trained in emergency wilderness medicine training. (see other streams in the Forum for a discussion in this area)
Outside consultation and coaching may be a life saver, but if the care-giver is not familiar with basic evaluative, diagnostic and treatment procedures: appropriate intervention and treatment may be severely slowed down or compromised.
My best, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy
Ps. On a broader, but related, theme: I feel that there is too much emphasis on having “gear” for emergencies: an expensive and extensive medical kit which was bought, stowed carefully on board, but never opened or practiced with. Or, all the latest crew-over-board gear, but never doing drills.

RE: Emergency service at sea

Thierry — Thu, 29 Apr 2021 09:56:26 GMT

Dear All,

Thanks for your comments and suggestions. I have had no reply from praxes and decided to continue with the International Centre for Emergency Medicine. They offered me a monthly deal (100 Pounds) for the length of time needed which seems reasonable.

I'll keep you informed on the quality of the contact, although I do hope that we won't need them.

It would indeed be good to have an OCC recommendation, or collective deal, with one company. The web pages of the organisations I looked at are rather thin on real information, in particular for our community.

Thierry

RE: Emergency service at sea

Roger Harris — Wed, 21 Apr 2021 19:33:40 GMT

I have no personal experience (or connection) with Praxes Medical Group as referenced by Simon, but they seem to have a good reputation. They have been "Global Medical Support Partner" to several editions of the Clipper RTW Race.

Here's a link to a 2017 Yachting World article that might be helpful: "Telemedicine for cruisers beyond the reach of an airlift". Both Praxes and MSOS are mentioned, as well as Medaire. Another telemedical servicer provider, not referred to in the article, is On Call International.

The non-profit Centro Internazionale Radio Medico has been providing seafarers with a free telecommunications medical advice service since way back in 1935. You can read about their excellent work in Mahdi and Amenta, "Eighty years of CIRM: a journey of commitment and dedication in providing maritime medical assistance", (2016) International Maritime Health, 67(4):187-195 (pdf copy here.

RE: Emergency service at sea

simoncurrin — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 18:05:09 GMT

Thierry,
No I haven’t heard of the Aberdeen service but I am sure they will be fine. The outfit I was trying to remember the name of is https://praxes.ca/ and I had some correspondence with them a couple of years ago. I think there was talk then of an occ discount but I can’t remember precisely what came of it.
Simon

+x[quote]

[b]Thierry - 19 Apr 2021[/b]
+x[quote]

[b]Simon Currin - 19 Apr 2021[/b]
Thierry,I copied the text below from one of the other threads below. There are others too including a very professional outfit that support the Clipper race. I’ll try and remember their name.Simon‘There are a number of organisations that will supply such drugs; initially mine came from a pharmacist in Jersey. He had retired by the time I needed replacements and so I contacted Medical Support Offshore (https://www.msos.org.uk/home.html) who replaced them for me - at a price. Once they have supplied the drugs they will support you at sea - (call a their doctor 24/7 via sat phone) - he knows exactly what kit you have and can advise you what to do. Theirs is a comprehensive service which you can pick and choose from but it is aimed at SuperYachts so they are not shy about billings!OthersI am aware that Vortec Marine (https://www.vortecmarine.com/medicalkits) will arrange the supply of non-controlled drugs. As to ongoing advice, they refreshingly point out that FREE emergency medical advice is available 365 days a year 24/7 by contacting a UK Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) (HF radio or Sat Phone) and being linked to the duty doctor with whom you can agree a care plan for a casualty on board. ‘
[/quote]

Thanks Simon, I have now been in touch with Roderick J Macdonald
Chief Executive
TheFirstCall
International Centre for Emergency Medicine
Aberdeen
T +44 (0)1224 435901
M +44(0)7876 545723
W www.thefirstcall.com

Do you know them?

Cheers

Thierry

[/quote]

RE: Emergency service at sea

Dick — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 15:51:06 GMT

+x[quote]

[b]Thierry - 19 Apr 2021[/b]
+x[quote]

[b]Simon Currin - 19 Apr 2021[/b]
Thierry,I copied the text below from one of the other threads below. There are others too including a very professional outfit that support the Clipper race. I’ll try and remember their name.Simon‘There are a number of organisations that will supply such drugs; initially mine came from a pharmacist in Jersey. He had retired by the time I needed replacements and so I contacted Medical Support Offshore (https://www.msos.org.uk/home.html) who replaced them for me - at a price. Once they have supplied the drugs they will support you at sea - (call a their doctor 24/7 via sat phone) - he knows exactly what kit you have and can advise you what to do. Theirs is a comprehensive service which you can pick and choose from but it is aimed at SuperYachts so they are not shy about billings!OthersI am aware that Vortec Marine (https://www.vortecmarine.com/medicalkits) will arrange the supply of non-controlled drugs. As to ongoing advice, they refreshingly point out that FREE emergency medical advice is available 365 days a year 24/7 by contacting a UK Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) (HF radio or Sat Phone) and being linked to the duty doctor with whom you can agree a care plan for a casualty on board. ‘
[/quote]

Thanks Simon, I have now been in touch with Roderick J Macdonald
Chief Executive
TheFirstCall
International Centre for Emergency Medicine
Aberdeen
T +44 (0)1224 435901
M +44(0)7876 545723
W www.thefirstcall.com

Do you know them?

Cheers

Thierry

[/quote]

Hi Thierry,
In addition to Simon's good thoughts:
My research is a number of years old, but at the time, there was no reasonably priced “on-call” services for our size recreational vessels.
Two thoughts:
We have a friend who is a physician who we asked to be our “Ship’s Surgeon”. He was tickled to be “included” in our wanderings (he is also our phone contact person for EPIRB distress signal). He has our medical histories and knows our medical kit and was willing to take our “emergency” calls (which have “knock-on-wood” in 70,000nm has not occurred). Until recent years when we have had a satphone, he would not have been available (or easily available) when off-shore.
The other go-to item (untested) was:
1. Falmouth Coast Guard, +44 132-631-7575.
a. Using their Medical Advice Link Calls they will connect you to Portsmouth Hospital where there are doctors experienced in medical emergencies at sea.

This should be checked out as this data may be dated.
It may not be smooth or seamless, but SSB calls to US CG vessels can travel a long distance at certain times and conditions.
Let us know what other possibilities you find.
My best, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy

RE: Emergency service at sea

Thierry — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 15:16:29 GMT

+x[quote]

[b]Simon Currin - 19 Apr 2021[/b]
Thierry,I copied the text below from one of the other threads below. There are others too including a very professional outfit that support the Clipper race. I’ll try and remember their name.Simon‘There are a number of organisations that will supply such drugs; initially mine came from a pharmacist in Jersey. He had retired by the time I needed replacements and so I contacted Medical Support Offshore (https://www.msos.org.uk/home.html) who replaced them for me - at a price. Once they have supplied the drugs they will support you at sea - (call a their doctor 24/7 via sat phone) - he knows exactly what kit you have and can advise you what to do. Theirs is a comprehensive service which you can pick and choose from but it is aimed at SuperYachts so they are not shy about billings!OthersI am aware that Vortec Marine (https://www.vortecmarine.com/medicalkits) will arrange the supply of non-controlled drugs. As to ongoing advice, they refreshingly point out that FREE emergency medical advice is available 365 days a year 24/7 by contacting a UK Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) (HF radio or Sat Phone) and being linked to the duty doctor with whom you can agree a care plan for a casualty on board. ‘
[/quote]

Thanks Simon, I have now been in touch with Roderick J Macdonald
Chief Executive
TheFirstCall
International Centre for Emergency Medicine
Aberdeen
T +44 (0)1224 435901
M +44(0)7876 545723
W www.thefirstcall.com

Do you know them?

Cheers

Thierry

RE: Emergency service at sea

simoncurrin — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 15:02:37 GMT

Thierry, I copied the text below from one of the other threads below. There are others too including a very professional outfit that support the Clipper race. I’ll try and remember their name. Simon ‘There are a number of organisations that will supply such drugs; initially mine came from a pharmacist in Jersey. He had retired by the time I needed replacements and so I contacted Medical Support Offshore (https://www.msos.org.uk/home.html) who replaced them for me - at a price. Once they have supplied the drugs they will support you at sea - (call a their doctor 24/7 via sat phone) - he knows exactly what kit you have and can advise you what to do. Theirs is a comprehensive service which you can pick and choose from but it is aimed at SuperYachts so they are not shy about billings! OthersI am aware that Vortec Marine (https://www.vortecmarine.com/medicalkits) will arrange the supply of non-controlled drugs. As to ongoing advice, they refreshingly point out that FREE emergency medical advice is available 365 days a year 24/7 by contacting a UK Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) (HF radio or Sat Phone) and being linked to the duty doctor with whom you can agree a care plan for a casualty on board. ‘