Health & Safety https://www.bluewatercruising.org/forums/topics.aspx?forum=139898 Sat, 13 Jun 2026 11:57:41 GMT Wed, 25 Apr 2018 17:29:15 GMT Copyright © 2018 Bluewater Cruising Association Marine First Aid https://www.bluewatercruising.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1428943 https://www.bluewatercruising.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1428943 Last night at Fleet I asked if there was a recommended First Aid course for boaters and it was suggested that I look at BCIT for a course that is part of a larger curriculum but that could be taken separately... a 5 day intensive study.

I looked... I can't find it... I'll look again

Has anyone else taken a first aid course for sailing that could be recommended, including CPR, AED and marine specific topics? 

]]> Wed, 25 Apr 2018 18:29:15 GMT Evacuation Coverage for Boaters https://www.bluewatercruising.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1390618 https://www.bluewatercruising.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1390618 SkyMed Nautical has just upgraded our services and is designed specifically for the cruising community during a serious medical emergency while travelling. We look after You, Your family - including minor children and grand children, pets, your boat, remains in the event of death, and more! As a SkyMed member your costs and logistics are covered, and we bring you home to family, friends and Canadian health care. 

As a member of BCA since the 1980's, and offshore sailor with over 150,000 miles throughout the world, I have experienced and witnessed many serious medical emergencies of the cruising community. People operate at about 50% during a medical emergency and make bad decisions. Costs for evacuation are now upwards of $100,000.00 US UPFRONT, and most people don't have this kind of money instantly available when a crisis strikes. The first 24-48 hours of a medical emergency entitled the Golden Hours, determine if and how you live. Choosing your evacuation coverage is not a time to be indifferent, frugal (although our Plan costs less than $1.00/day), or uneducated. Many people rely on their VISA and other programs which have huge holes in the fine print - which we generally don't discover until it's too late.

As a result of my personal medical emergency in 2011 (hit by lightning 200 miles offshore), I have been working with SkyMed to develop this unique service for the cruising community. They listened. This Nautical Plan is one-of-a kind in the world, and only available to residents of Canada/US and Mexico. Our new prices are exceptional, and we now provide Global coverage 365 days a year. I strongly suggest that evacuation coverage be an essential component of your safety protocol. Please feel free to ask any evacuation questions and/or comparisons about your existing plan on this thread. Contact me for more SkyMed Nautical information and prices (prices on our general SkyMed website are not Nautical prices.) : pamela.bendall@skymed.com www.skymed.com/pamelabendall

 

 

]]> Tue, 24 Oct 2017 17:06:02 GMT What is in your first aid Kit? https://www.bluewatercruising.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=530154 https://www.bluewatercruising.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=530154 Your heading offshore and don't know what to pack in your first aid kit?  Where do you find out information, how do you get the prescriptions? What can and can't you take into a country?  How easy is it to get prescription drugs around the world?

These are many of the questions that people who are thinking about leaving want to know.  When Mike and I headed to Mexico in 2008 we had a fully stocked med kit with several perscription drugs to handle a number of issues.  Our DR was very helpful with writing the scrips for us so that we could stock up before we left.  One of the things that we did not think about was Mike's blood pressure and colestrol prescriptions.  We could only get a 3 months supply and when he ran out we resorted to having friends and family bring them when they visited.  We had thought that we could buy them in Mexico and you can over the counter but the cost was more that purchasing in Canada.

So how do you stock up on these essential drugs.  You could get a year supply but most insurance companies will only pay 3 months at a time.

 

If you have some insite on what to have in your First Aid kit, or how to stock up on prescriptions drugs, or anything let us know.

]]> Tue, 5 Feb 2013 20:40:59 GMT Thefts in Costa Rica https://www.bluewatercruising.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=569235 https://www.bluewatercruising.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=569235 Thievery in Costa Rica has reached unprecedented levels with many dinghy motors being  stolen as well as other things above decks.  One French cruiser I talked to yesterday had all his electronics stolen while away and woke up one night to hear a someone hack sawing his dinghy motor lock.  This was in Gulfito and there was lots of party noise so he was lucky to save his motor.  Other countries are not too bad (except Mexico) but one has to be extremely vigilant down here. 

Message passed on from Carol and David Smith on Nuage

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