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Daria Blackwell - 16 Jun 2021

Hi Dick,
It might amuse you to know that I incorporated scopolamine in the plot of my 'nautical murder mystery' novel. 

And the book about Donald Crowhurst is very good as was the movie starring Colin Firth.
https://www.yachtingworld.com/features/donald-crowhurst-fake-world-sailing-story-the-mercy-123426 
Daria

Hi Daria,
Yes, Scope is nothing to fool with as it can strike unpredictably producing striking reactions, so, I suspect, it would make for a good ingredient in a murder plot. For some who have bad seasickness, it works very well and can be used safely (a common recommendation is to use it on shore to see if you have a bad reaction before using it offshore). I am not sure if it continues to be a recommended remedy.
My best, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy

I am reminded of the case in which a psychotic crewmember jumped off a sailboat mid-ocean and the skipper, Rick Smith, did not go back for him and was later prosecuted for manslaughter. 
https://nationalpost.com/news/world/maine-captain-charged-with-seamans-manslaughter-three-years-after-a-crew-member-jumps-off-his-boat-into-the-ocean

The captain was acquitted and his boat was returned to him. 
https://www.boothbayregister.com/article/captain-rick-smith-acquitted-seaman-s-manslaughter-charges/112516

But his life was forever altered.
https://wgme.com/news/local/maine-captain-recalls-night-of-crewmans-death-manslaughter-trial

Vice Commodore, OCC 

Hi Dick,
It might amuse you to know that I incorporated scopolamine in the plot of my 'nautical murder mystery' novel. 

And the book about Donald Crowhurst is very good as was the movie starring Colin Firth.
https://www.yachtingworld.com/features/donald-crowhurst-fake-world-sailing-story-the-mercy-123426 
Daria

Vice Commodore, OCC 

I came across this guide to single-handed sailing online and the first section is all about psychology. I haven't read it yet only scanned it but it looks pretty good.


It is available as a free download from the Singlehanded Sailing Society.
https://www.sfbaysss.org/main/resources/

Vice Commodore, OCC 

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Roger Harris - 21 Apr 2021

Perhaps I've just been lucky, but I've yet to encounter any obvious cases of psychiatric distress offshore.

Here's a lengthy popular magazine article from November, 2018 that may be relevant: "My Father's SOS—From the Middle of the Sea".

Hi Roger,
Probably the most famous psychiatric problem off-shore is Donald Crowhurst on a Golden Globe Race” google for details and I hear the book is good.
I do not think you are lucky: I believe that psychiatric problems offshore are rare, especially those of a “psychotic break” level. (Already mentioned are the medication induced variety.) Most people who suffer in this area know they are vulnerable (with some exceptions) and, with good judgement, do not put themselves in such a challenging environment. Those with well managed challenges (anxiety, depression, maybe even bi-polar), tend to do just fine and definitely benefit from a spouse or crewmate knowing of the issues and, if relying on medication, ensuring that it is taken regularly in the unusual sleep and work schedules of an off-shore passage-making vessel.
Far more common (and generally far more problematic and destructive) is what I call “character pathology” or what also might be called the excesses common in everyday life. The most common might be the man who is prone to angry outbursts when things go a bit pear shaped: The “Cap’t Bligh syndrome perhaps. Often this is seen on racing boats, but on cruising boats this anger can be directed at his spouse or crew. It is caused by the man not having good mechanisms for dealing with anxiety. And off-shore, in tight quarters with no relief in sight, this can lead to problems.
Another common occurrence is the Captain (again often a man) who must have everything “just so” and is not easy-going enough to allow for things to be “good enough”. Sometimes this slips into a rigid admonition to “do it my way”.
Then there is the micro-managing person who is always looking over the shoulder of others giving “advice” and instructions.
Many a cruise (and many a marriage) has foundered on these issues which may be tolerable when on land, but can be quite destructive in the confines of a boat at sea.
Random thoughts, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy

Perhaps I've just been lucky, but I've yet to encounter any obvious cases of psychiatric distress offshore.

Here's a lengthy popular magazine article from November, 2018 that may be relevant: "My Father's SOS—From the Middle of the Sea".

Dick I moved some of the buying boats bits to Turkey. It you come across any other anomalies do let me know.
Simon

Hi Simon,
Understood. And I would very much like to learn more about glues and wounds. And while on the topic of re-locating threads, there were a few in the “buying boats”: area that might be best re-located.
My best, Dick

Dick
So maybe 'sticking ' pigs trotters back together would have been a better term as glue is the easiest of all techniques for wound closure.

I will make a new thread for this so as not to detract from the psychiatric thread.
Simon

Hi Simon & Daria,
There are a number of wilderness medicine courses available on the US side of the pond. The best are aimed at those who wander where First Responders are not available.
Jeff Isaacs’ courses are well thought of (often done under the umbrella of Ocean Navigator magazine) and we (Ginger and I) feel his book(s) are among the best: in part as his focus is on first determining what is a true emergency (and whether an evac is warranted). He is very practical as well as follows because his experience base is in this area: wilderness medicine and emergency work where hospitals etc. are not available. We thought his weekend course superb.
In casual conversation with other cruisers and in running one medical (update skills) seminar one winter, my observation was that much of the training others had received was much too broad stroked and that time/effort/learning was spent on non-essentials or even skills contra-indicated.
For example, (if I may kick off Simon’s comment pertaining to stitching pig’s trotters): suturing is likely contra-indicated for all but the most skilled, practiced and prepared cruisers. Sterile arenas are likely too hard to come by (or maintain) on a vessel at sea (especially with a husband/wife team) so stitching wounds closed and isolating the “bugs” inside will foster infection. It is much more practical and pragmatic to use butterfly bandages (or more robust bandages) and not close things up so tightly. This will likely make scarring worse, but is pragmatic for the environment at hand and that anticipated during the recovery period (continued being at sea).
Finding a good wilderness medicine trainer should not be hard, I would think, but I would want one whose experience is with handling medical emergencies where hospitals/ skilled people and intervention are days or weeks away.
My best, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy