Just for the record: CPR is NOT the "chest flex from the elbows" that you see on "ER" "Chicago Hope" and "Doogie Howser, MD." CPR entails lunging full force from the shoulders, locked-arm, with the heels of the hands on the victim's sternum. If the victim is conscious when you do this there's a good chance of breaking ribs. The reason I bring this up is because it's unlikely that one could perform effective CPR in boats on the water. Getting into position is impossible, and the thrust would likely capsize a boat. You can't perform effective CPR on a bed or cushioned couch. . . a floating boat would not provide the rigid platform necessary for CPR even if you *could* get into position. Hypothermia will aggravate cardiac rhythm problems as well as contribute to shock --primarily respiratory and cardio-vascular shock. Towing a victim in cold water has its own set of problems. This hypothetical heart-attack scenario is a nightmare. On open water I'd put the chance of survival at nil or very slim--particularly when the patient loses consciousness, stops breathing, or suffers cardiac arrest. The only other times a person might lose consciousness would be from "psychogenic" shock. . . resulting from pain such as a dislocation or broken bone. Once the victim's head is lowered, generally the victim regains consciousness. "Vasogenic" shock. . . from loss of blood can be controlled with pressure bandages, but blood loss can lead to cardiac arrest. "Allergic" shock. . . bee/fish stings, drug reactions can lead to cardiac arrest or at least some significant respiratory distress. Allergic shock takes antidotes which aren't usually available. CPR can serve as life support until help arrives, but CPR is problematic at sea. Inuslin shock is a whole independent medical problem. The diabetic patient needs to monitor insulin levels and ensure that other paddlers are aware of that person's need for insulin/food regulation. Fortunately, insulin shock provides lot's of warning signs, and the diabetic usually has the "antidote" at hand. Which leads up to, I suppose, the main point here: An ounce of prevention is priceless on the water. Seemingly, any formal paddly "sign-up" should include a medical section on the form. Group leaders should be aware of medical contingencies and should also be CERTIFIED in first-aid and CPR at a very minimum. Much easier to alienate someone at the outset than to have to make funeral arrangements for them later. The informal paddling groups that fall together on the water are more problematic. It seems wise to ensure that the group have a good understanding of individual paddling skills and potential medical problems before undertaking an extended or exposed crossing. White water and surf zone paddlers need to take the same precautions, although the bank or beach is *usually* within fast reach for these types of kayaking, certainly more so than the hypothetical "cardiac arrest" scenario in the middle of the ocean. Death is best avoided through prevention. A kayaker who has a heart attack on the open water stands a very poor chance of survival. Does your cardiologist know that you're paddling a kayak on open seas??? ______________________________ George Bergeron, Secretary '99 Oswego Heritage Council www.europa.com/~heritage/" *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:32:50 PDT