Interesting question !

What should you immediately do? [1 pt]

Ease the jib and point winward, in order to eliminate forward pressure on
the mast

What steps can you take to prevent the loss of
the whole rig? [1 pt]

Clip an halyard on the stern. You won't get a lot of tension from it, as it
would also put a lot of dangerous compression on the spar and hardware.
You'd have about twice the compression you have with backstay, if you load
the halyard the same amount.

What can you use to replace the backstay long enough
to get home? [1 pt]

Pull on the main sheet and vang.

What else can be done to pull the mast aft to keep
tension on the rig? [1 pt]

I can't think of anything else

Jonathan Ganz wrote:
When the backstay came down, one of your crew got caught in the rigging
causing a severe head injury. He's in and out of consciousness. Obviously,
this is life-threatening. What do you do?

If it's obviously life-threatening then he needs to be choppered out of
there.

In the meantime, keep him warm & awake. Stop the bleeding but do not put
pressure on the wound. Having him sit or stand up will help both
bleeding and awakeness. No fluids, no painkillers.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King

When the backstay came down, one of your crew got caught in the rigging
causing a severe head injury. He's in and out of consciousness. Obviously,
this is life-threatening. What do you do?

You immobilize him the best you can in case of possible spinal conditions
that might have attended the head injury...wad up jackets and stuff on
either side of his head to keep it from lolling back and forth..do not give
any kind of medicine or food or water...except maybe an ice cube rubbed on
the lips....he should be lying flatr unless you se symptoms of shock...then
you elevate the legs at the knees...not the hips....(there might be a
possible back injury) Call the CG for an airlift out....
--
katysails
s/v Chanteuse
Kirie Elite 32
http://katysails.tripod.com

"Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax
and get used to the idea." - Robert A. Heinlein



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Having him sit or stand up will help both
bleeding and awakeness. No fluids, no painkillers.

I disagree...on a thrashing boat (remember...you have a problem going on)
unless you have a way to keep gim from toppling over or falling, he's better
off immobilzed...head injuries often come with spinal colimn
injuries...lying down would be better....

--
katysails
s/v Chanteuse
Kirie Elite 32
http://katysails.tripod.com

"Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax
and get used to the idea." - Robert A. Heinlein



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Having him sit or stand up will help both
bleeding and awakeness. No fluids, no painkillers.

katysails wrote:
I disagree...on a thrashing boat (remember...you have a problem going on)
unless you have a way to keep gim from toppling over or falling, he's better
off immobilzed...

Put him below! The problem with letting him lay down is that he will
become unconscious and may stop breathing. Keep him at least sitting up,
and have somebody talk to him, pinch him. If you elevate the legs then
head bleeding will be a problem, and may raise intracranial pressure
which is really really bad.

... head injuries often come with spinal colimn
injuries...lying down would be better....

If a spinal injury, then yes. But unless there is good reason to suspect
spinal injury then aggravating the life-threatening head injury serves
no purpose and may kill him.

First aid isn't an exact science, I wouldn't argue with your treatment
if you were on the scene... unless it was my boat or my wife who was
injured

Now might be a good time to remind everybody to take a refresher course
in first aid, and in CPR.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King

When the backstay came down, one of your crew got caught in the rigging
causing a severe head injury. He's in and out of consciousness. Obviously,
this is life-threatening. What do you do?

You would probably take the opportunity to bugger him.

Injured Crewman;

All of what Doug said. Plus, if you are 600 miles out you probably have
more crew, get ready for a Helio Pick-up. Ready the dingy and lauch it.
Use a line long enough to let the Helio to come in without interference
from the mast. Pick the healthy crew man to go into the dingy with the
patient to handle the transfer. Wait for instructions from Helio but
try to be ready for different tranfer than you have in mind. Maintain
radio contact with CG and follow instructions.

Ole Thom

Doug stated: If you elevate the legs then
head bleeding will be a problem, and may raise intracranial pressure
which is really really bad.

There was no mention of copious bleeding. Chances are the head injury would
be of the closed head variety, where absolute stillness would be essential
for the same reason of intercranial pressure. Far easier to immobilize
someone lying down than someone who has lost their sense of being and is
pitching around a cabin.



--
katysails
s/v Chanteuse
Kirie Elite 32
http://katysails.tripod.com

"Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax
and get used to the idea." - Robert A. Heinlein



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Thom Stewart wrote:

Injured Crewman;

All of what Doug said. Plus, if you are 600 miles out you probably have
more crew, get ready for a Helio Pick-up. Ready the dingy and lauch it.
Use a line long enough to let the Helio to come in without interference
from the mast.


I thought the mast came down...

Cheers

I thought the mast came down...

Ouch! ................... Busted!
S/V Express 30 "Ringmaster"
"No shirt, no skirt, full service"