The fatal accident in last month’s Transatlantic Race aboard the 56ft German sailing school sloop Walross 4 was a tragic reminder that, every so often, shipboard accidents involving the massive loads created aboard larger modern yachts can go beyond serious injury.
Yet generally sailing is a safe sport, not least because the responsible organisations involved make a point of ensuring safety standards, while also running courses on emergency response. Galway Bay SC Commodore Pat Irwin and his members recently found they had at least seven leading specialist medical consultants among their membership, and last week they were able to provide a very complete presentation on Medical Emergencies to a packed house in the club, the participants including Marine Institute CEO Rick Officer.
Sailing Galway Consultants are (left to right) Mark Wilson, Brian Lucey, GBSC Commodore Pat Irwin, Michael O'Sullivan, Brian Kinirons, Aidan Devitt, Andrew Murphy and Kevin Clarkson.
The presentation was co-ordinated by Orthopaedic Surgeon Michael O’Sullivan (reports Pierce Purcell), and Mark Wilson, skipper of last year’s GBSC Middle Sea Race challenge, who happens to be a Maxillofacial Surgeon. They gave tips on simple injuries that we all have had experience of, to more serious injuries and how the Skipper – being primarily responsible for the crew regardless of who or what might have caused the injury – should approach such incidents.
Who is going to revive this fella, and how? Joe Molloy and Brian Lucey in discussion with Fergal Lyons, Sean Hynes, Conor O' Byrne, John Barry and Mark Kelly.
Tom Foote, Richard Hayes, Professor Andrew Murphy and Jack Barry working towards a conclusion
POWERFUL PRESENTATION
In all, it was a powerful professional presentation by the medical members, which drew such total attention that you could have heard a pin drop, and members could be seen wiping their brows as realistic information was provided of the potential events that could happen on a worst scenario night sailing on the bay or offshore sailing. At one stage one member was overheard saying he was thinking of taking up Golf, such was some of the examples to treat by the brilliant medics.
Rick Officer (CEO Marine Inst.), and Commodore Pat Irwin honing their skills with Professor Clarkson supervising and Lorraine Scully ready with the paddles.
FIRST AID KIT FOR CLUB
Michael O'Sullivan presented a serious First Aid Kit to the club, of a size that Michael O'Leary would charge well for, if brought on holiday as hand luggage. The Commodore Pat Irwin concluded by telling members that the club will always have a doctor available during any area championship or series.
It almost invariably ends up with back trouble – dinghy sailor Allan Donnelly being taken through the spine by his son Robert, who is both a medical student and a sailing instructor.
LIFEBOAT OPEN EVENT
Next Wednesday (February 11th), GBSC will host an open evening presented by Galway RNLI which completes the winter series of Safe Sailing. Lifeboat personnel will advise on casualties being transferred ashore as well as the valuable work done by the on-call voluntary institution, with Dr John Killeen of Galway being the Irish Trustee of the RNLI, and doing untold work representing Ireland in the international Saving Lives at Sea Community.
Dr John Killeen of Galway is the Irish Trustee of the RNLI
