Hey all,
Since we have some
PNW folks here, I want to share info about a great
medical training course for cruisers coming up next month in
Seattle.
I took this class 2 years ago and plan to take it again, before leaving for
extended cruising with my
family this year. It was really incredible, for two primary reasons: 1. the instructor (he made what could have been dry, checklist information into something truly interesting - and always made us think about the situation critically- not to mention, as a physician and lifelong sailor, has the perfect qualifications) and 2. the practical portion (we were literally suturing pork bellies, injecting oranges, setting up IV rehydration...all things I will be grateful for having tried previously if I ever need them in an emergency).
It's hosted/sponsored by the
Seattle Yacht Club but open to anyone. Pasting info below, which you can link to here:
http://www.seattleyachtclub.org/news...nceSailors.pdf
Registration closes March 1 or when the class fills, whichever comes first. Please let me know if you have any questions- the course is truly fabulous, I have no financial stake, just want to make sure local boaters with cruising on the brain know about this opportunity.
Behan
s/v Totem
Medical Care for Long Distance Sailors and Wilderness First Aid
Course Director: Curtis Edwards, MD, FACS
Sponsored by Seattle Yacht Club and accredited by American Red Cross
DATES: March 15-16, Seattle Yacht Club
Course Content: sixteen-hour
Marine Medical and Wilderness First Aid
Basics with a four-hour hands-on medical supplement by Dr. Curtis
Edwards on Saturday evening. Course completion leads to Wilderness
Medical First Aid
certification. The course is intended for
wilderness/ backcountry adventurers and long-distance sailors
requiring more advanced medical skills to care for victims subject to
delay while awaiting medical assistance.
* First aid- wound care of burns, cuts, bites, stings, and basic
care of lacerations including suture technique. Orthopedics-
treatment of sprains, strains, dislocations, fractures, splinting
techniques.
* Medical emergencies (other than CPR) -
head injury, allergy,
diabetes, chest pain, pneumonia, asthma, strep throat, resistant
staph. infection, seasickness, hypothermia, hyperthermia, basics
electrolytes and hydration.
* Other common problems- eye injury, urinary tract infection, skin
and ear problems.
* Pharmacology the law and the
offshore sailor.
Record keeping-
the problem oriented medical
record, knowing your crew and the job of
the medical officer.
* Cruising and Wilderness Medical Philosophy- "We go there because
no else is there, including 9-1-1."
* Cruising and hiking first aid kits- MORE THAN YOU THINK YOU
NEED, BUT NOT ENOUGH WHEN YOU REALLY DO.
Tuition is due upon
registration:
- $160.00 paid in advance, includes all course materials.
- Couples discount (single set of books): $285
To register (and questions):
Curtis Edwards, MD:
email curt112 (at) comcast (dot) net
or call 360.923.0476
Please include name(s), address and
phone number
Registration deadline:
March 1, 2008 (or when the class fills, whichever comes first)
Course Requirements: Age minimum 15 (fifteen) years, 6 – 8 hours of
provided pre-course reading. Previous CPR
certification is highly
recommended (not included in course).
Course Instructor: Dr. Edwards is a board certified general and
vascular surgeon. He graduated from the University of
Washington
Medical
School, Seattle, WA. He is a Red Cross instructor and he has
held appointments as a clinical instructor at the University of
Washington and University of Oklahoma. He is a Senior FAA Aerospace
Medical Examiner, and student-pilot with logged time in both
propeller
and jet aircraft.
Dr. Edwards is a lifelong sailor, racer/cruiser, and water-sports
enthusiast. Dr. Edwards. He hikes and has climbed extensively in the
Pacific Northwest. He serves on the Thurston County Medical Reserve
corps, is a past president of the Thurston Mason County Medical
Society and volunteer or
member of numerous medical and charitable
organizations. He spends his time refitting a
Cooper 416 in
preparation for
offshore work and is a
member of the Olympia Yacht
Club.