What Justifies a "MAYDAY"?

[IslandHopper]

Originally Posted by Rustic Charm

Calling a "mayday" is not the same thing as setting off an Epirb. Was that e.g a quote, or did you put it in there?

"When should a distress beacon be used ?"

"When there is a threat of grave and imminent danger" AKA "MAYDAY"

AMSA Beacons Information - Usage

[Cadence]

I believe it was some light hearted wry humor.

[noelex 77]

Originally Posted by Rustic Charm

The Australian Maritime collage (AMC) has a downloadable book on radio communications which is a great guide. It states a ''mayday' is for 'grave and imminent danger of vessel or person on that vessel'. A pan pan is used for any other urgent need that is not imminent.

Now we can all debate scenarios, but I honestly don't believe it's that difficult. It's meant to be simple. The danger is either 'imminent', e.g about to happen, in which case a Mayday is appropriate or the danger isn't imminent but there is still an urgency, in which case a Pan Pan.

This is the quote from the AMC handbook (see post #69):

"It does not extend to situations where immediate assistance is sought on behalf of a person, for example, a medical emergency. The urgency signal should be used in these situations".

It does imply that medical emergencies should be excluded from the justification to issue a MAYDAY. What is not not clear is if urgent life threatening medical emergencies are excluded. From the comments on this thread is it clear that the AMC wording has been taken to indicate that this is the case by some members.

I think the wording is not ideal.

[El Pinguino]

Originally Posted by Rustic Charm

Calling a "mayday" is not the same thing as setting off an Epirb. Was that e.g a quote, or did you put it in there?

I put it there for avoidence of confusion...
Setting off your epirb is all same as mayday by voice is all same as SOS by CW ( back when people were still using CW.

[Rustic Charm]

Originally Posted by Ann T. Cate

For me, it would depend on the nature of the break, how shorthanded you are, and how far from assistance one is. Maday for a compound fracture, or if the leg were partially detached. Simple break, maybe not. Maybe just straighten it and pop the inflatable splint on it, and take the person to shore.

Rustic Charm, if you're singlehanding and you break a leg badly, you really ought to call a mayday, because the pain, once the shock wears off, will affect your ability to return the boat to the dock, and indeed, to get off the boat.

Depends, therefore, also, on how long it would take to get the person to help via one's own boat, as in newt's situation where he had the crew take him to the ambulance. That might have to be a Pan-pan, in order to arrange the ambulance.

Ann

That's a very good point. I wasn't really thinking of being alone.

But I wouldn't be calling a mayday in any other circumstance of a broken leg. A pan pan is quite sufficient. People either hear it or they don't and if they don't then off goes the epirb for assistance.

[Rustic Charm]

Originally Posted by IslandHopper

"When should a distress beacon be used ?"

"When there is a threat of grave and imminent danger" AKA "MAYDAY"

AMSA Beacons Information - Usage

I note your reference island hopper, but frankly in this instance the amsa advice is I'd suggest less than ideal. At least here, Epirbs are encouraged to be used for seeking assistance when there is not an immediate threat. E.g bushwalking and need assistance, plane with a forced landing but otherwise all safe. Epirbs certainly shouldn't be used lightly, but it's not the same as a mayday which emphasises an urgency.

[Jammer Six]

Having had a number of broken bones, a broken arm, leg or dislocation is plenty of reason to use mayday.

Perhaps my limbs are more valuable than others.

[Rustic Charm]

Originally Posted by Jammer Six

Having had a number of broken bones, a broken arm, leg or dislocation is plenty of reason to use mayday.

Perhaps my limbs are more valuable than others.

Single handed sailing aside, why would you choose a 'mayday' over a 'pan pan'?

[Coops]

That may depend on an individual's pain threshold of course. Broken leg may mean that you cannot get around and you are incapacitated. Broken arm means that you cannot use that arm, but there have been one armed sailors before now. Broken finger, well, that is merely an inconvenience, as is a broken toe, painful but completely manageable.

Yes, I have had all those apart from a leg.

Coops.

[IslandHopper]

Originally Posted by Rustic Charm

I note your reference island hopper, but frankly in this instance the amsa advice is I'd suggest less than ideal. At least here, Epirbs are encouraged to be used for seeking assistance when there is not an immediate threat. E.g bushwalking and need assistance, plane with a forced landing but otherwise all safe. Epirbs certainly shouldn't be used lightly, but it's not the same as a mayday which emphasises an urgency.

Sorry buddy but you are totally wrong, i will give you a clue.......why do they have a float free option.....?

[Rustic Charm]

Originally Posted by IslandHopper

Sorry buddy but you are totally wrong, i will give you a clue.......why do they have a float free option.....?

'Float free', That's entirely irrelevant?

What am I wrong about?

You've lost me

[IslandHopper]

Originally Posted by Rustic Charm

'Float free', That's entirely irrelevant?

What am I wrong about?

You've lost me

Well I am not confused as to when I should pop the EPIRB at sea, it's my job to know. I would suggest you learn before leaving the dock next time...

....A PanPan and an EPIRB....seriously???

[Rustic Charm]

Originally Posted by IslandHopper

Well I am not confused as to when I should pop the EPIRB at sea, it's my job to know. I would suggest you learn before leaving the dock next time...

....A PanPan and an EPIRB....seriously???

Are you drinking again

You've really lost me on what on earth your suggesting, stating, hypothesising

[IslandHopper]

Originally Posted by Rustic Charm

Are you drinking again

You've really lost me on what on earth your suggesting, stating, hypothesising

Have you already forgoten you earlier posts....???

[Rustic Charm]

Originally Posted by IslandHopper

Have you already forgoten you earlier posts....???

Yeah, senility's a bitch.