EP-169: Medical Emergencies at Sea and Offshore First Aid - Rob Sweet

In this highly important episode of the Sailing and Cruising the East Coast of United States podcast, hosts Bela Musits and Mike Wasserman welcome back repeat guest Rob Sweet, a physician and seasoned cruiser who recently spent several months in the Bahamas. Rob keeps his boat in Florida while living in Pittsburgh, managing the interesting dynamics of a three-hour plane ride to his vessel. Why You Need to Listen: Medical Preparation for Cruisers While many sailing discussions focus on anchors and navigation, this conversation addresses a critical, often-overlooked aspect of life at sea: medical emergencies and being prepared when help is hours away. Rob recently took a specialized Offshore Medicine Course from Wilderness Medical Associates, which is specifically designed for sailors and mariners. Even as a physician specializing in geriatric psychiatry, Rob's motivation was to be ready for common sailing injuries, noting that medical school doesn't focus on first aid. The ocean is a large wilderness, and he needed skills beyond a hospital setting. Key Discussion Points & Takeaways for Sailors: Common Injuries at Sea: Likely incidents include falls, broken bones (rib, wrist, finger), dislocations, dehydration (especially from seasickness), heat or cold exposure (heat stroke/hypothermia), and various wounds or cuts. The Risk of Rescue: The course heavily emphasized assessing the high risk involved in trying to evacuate an injured person via helicopter or ship versus stabilizing the condition on board. Essential Crew Information (The Geriatrics Perspective): Rob stresses that Captains should have a record of all crew/passenger medications, allergies, and any conditions, especially for older guests. Seasickness Medication Warning: He advises that people test seasickness medicine (like a patch) at home first, as it can cause confusion and, for older men with large prostates, urinary retention, which can be a serious issue on a boat. Essential Medical Supplies (Rob’s Purchases): Rob is upgrading his boat with: A better-organized, modular first aid kit (The Modulator). Supplies for cleaning, irrigating, and pressure dressing wounds. A tourniquet. Epinephrine/Epipens and follow-up drugs (antihistamines, steroids) for allergic reactions/stings. Formable splints for fractures. The Power of External Help: Rob stresses the need for onshore medical backup, like a 24/7 contracted video assessment service, especially now that he has Starlink for constant communication. Mike and Bela conclude by strongly encouraging listeners to take a CPR and basic first aid course, noting that even coastal cruisers can be hours away from an ambulance. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the like button and subscribe! Hosts: Bela Musits and Mike Wasserman Guest: Rob Sweet Email: sailingtheeast@gmail.com Happy Sailing! Bela and Mike