This is Getting Ridiculous

[Astrid]

I don't get seasick myself, but I have seen some people so sick with it that they couldn't raise a hand to save themselves, let alone the boat, in an emergency.

[hpeer]

Points taken, but seasickness aside...you can't fix stupid!

Some portion of the population is just plain stupid. I don't care how many drivers ed classes you send them to.

But you CAN impose stupid laws and regulations upon the rest of us.

[Pelagic]

Originally Posted by Astrid

I don't get seasick myself, but I have seen some people so sick with it that they couldn't raise a hand to save themselves, let alone the boat, in an emergency.

I agree with that to a point Astrid, when dehydration has become seriously advanced..... but the vast majority of mal de mer 'helplessness' is mental.

There have been times when I have had to administer "tough love" to get that seasick person out on deck, stand their watch and deal with it.

Invariably, it was just what they required to eventually adjust to seasickness and do their job.

Even when they drink water and throw up.....some moisture is retained....

That is the mindset to encourage... not pity and despair!

[sweetsailing]

...you can't fix stupid!

One of my favorite quotes

The coast guard wasn't involved in this one, however...

We sail on Lake Pepin which is merely a very w i d e portion of the Mississippi river in Minnesota. During 4th of July weekend, the water was still very high, over flood stage. There is a rocky breakwater that extends from the marina out into the lake and the end of the breakwater is marked with a bouy. This breakwater was underwater due to the height of the river. We watched no less than 10 boats in 24 hour slam into the submerged breakwater, powerboaters and sailors alike.

My favorite was a large power cruising coming at full throttle. He is close enough to shore to hear my husband whistle very loudly. He slows a bit but doesn't stop. My husband whistles again, motioning to back up, waving arms, etc. The guy in the power boat is now within shouting range and yells "What? What's your problem?"

My husband now shakes his head and turns away...why? Cuz, you can't fix stupid.

Wait for it....bam....he found out what HIS problem was.

[Astrid]

There have been times when I have had to administer "tough love" to get that seasick person out on deck, stand their watch and deal with it.

Indeed. You were not a CPO by some chance were you? Mine thoroughly believed in the tough love approach with recruits.

[sailorboy1]

You CAN fix stupid! Just have to be willing.

[IdoraKeeper]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

You CAN fix stupid! Just have to be willing.

Right on Bubba! Can I get a AMEN!

[psneeld]

Originally Posted by Astrid

Indeed. You were not a CPO by some chance were you? Mine thoroughly believed in the tough love approach with recruits.

Don't give up that thought to easily...I had to MEDEVAC a crewmember at night into Panama for severe seasickness...that led to dehydration that led to the same symptoms as appendicitis as reviewed by medical experts.
It was an extremely difficult and dangerous flight in.

I also almost lost 3 friends to the exact same thing in the North Pacific in the Aleutians in 1992. They MEDEVACed from a fishing vessel the same patient situation and severe icing almost did their helo in.

So anything...even a small splinter can cause blood poisoning that will trigger all all out rescue attempt even thousands of miles at sea. It may just be something simple...but without a doctor on scene...lots of things are treated as worst case scenarios because the USCG and most nations are humanitarian in spirit.