Medical Management for Mariners - new course starting

by John Keelty/ Sail-World Cruising on 13 Jun 2012 Next Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) Medical Management for Mariners (MMM) Course is to commence on Tuesday 10 July, 2012.

Since these courses commenced I have been asked by numerous people, 'do I really need to do this course?'

I say the same to those asking as we say to those graduating from the course - we sincerely hope you will not need it. But you never know.

Sailing can be a dangerous sport as the many stories of medical emergencies or injuries suffered on board will attain. And that is what this course is about, being prepared, having extra knowledge and skills and being confident just in case you find yourself in a medical emergency.

Those that have done the course have said just that. We recently received an email from Mark Hunter who completed the course in 2009:

'I thought that I would share with you one of my experiences that I had on our trip to QLD last year.

'I remember that someone asked a question in the MMM course that was along the lines of 'how do you know when someone is dead?' well that was put to use by me in a big way. Have a read of one of my blog entrieshttp://thehunterscrazygapyear.blogspot.com.au/2011/09/magnetic-island-reiteration-of-why-we.html

'Without the MMM course, I would not have been able to handle the situation as well as I did, and also my wife knew that I had done the course, and thus she was better equipped as well.

Other comments from those who have completed the course include:
'It was such a valuable course for me to do and I picked up alot from it.'
'The hands on / practical aspects were invaluable and especially since we got to use the best of equipment at St Vincents. It is the perfect course for those who want to go beyond the minimum First Aid requirements at Sea and be trained to be competent enough to undertake the tasks required of them in the sometimes unpredictable and sometimes unforgiving maritime environment.'

Applications for the course commencing on 10th July close on Monday 2nd July. A minimum of 10 registered participants is required for the course to proceed.

This course includes injections, information on drugs carried in YA medical kits, assessment of patients and longer term management of injuries and medical conditions. There is also a strong focus on developing skills to communicate assessment and management clearly over the radio.

A highlight and unique feature of the course is the use of hands on skills training and simulation to practice skills and put knowledge in to practice.

The next course will be held in May utilising a new format:
• Tuesday 10th July (6-9.30pm) at Don Harrison Simulation Centre, St Vincent's Hospital
• Tuesday 17th July (6-9.30pm), at Don Harrison Simulation Centre, St Vincent's Hospital
• Saturday 21st July (full day), at Don Harrison Simulation Centre, St Vincent's Hospital (8-4.30pm)
• Tuesday 24th July (6-9.30pm), at CYCA.

The cost of this course is $600 for CYCA Members, Yachting NSW Bronze and Silver members and $650 for non-CYCA members.

Please register your attendance by completing the enrolment form and forward with payment to CYCA Reception via post or email the form toreception@cyca.com.au.

For further details please contact me, John Keelty 9955 5573 or 0427 231 682