Here's an item from the daily USCG press release that inspires some
careful reflection:



Office of Public Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard Thirteenth District


Press Release Date: January 3, 2006
Contact: PA3 Jeff Pollinger
(206) 220-7237

COAST GUARD MEDEVACS 39-YEAR-OLD MAN NEAR PORT ANGELES, WASH.


SEATTLE - A 39-year-old man suffering from chest pains was medevaced
from a 600-foot vessel this morning 30 miles off the coast of Port
Angeles, Wash.

At 9 a.m., Coast Guard Group/Air Station Port Angeles, Wash., received
a call from the master of the container ship Hyundai Duke requesting
medical assistance for a 39-year-old crewmember.

An HH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles
was launched to medevac the man at 9:30 a.m.

The helicopter lowered a rescue swimmer to the vessel and the man was
then safely hoisted into the helicopter. The crewmember was then flown
to Air Station Port Angeles where an awaiting ambulance transported him
to Olympic Memorial Hospital in Port Angeles for further medical
treatment.

A high resolution photo of the rescue is available at the following
link:

https://www.piersystem.com/clients/u...0.439320705557


Cutlline: SEATTLE - Petty Officer 1st Class Doug Lathrop administers
medical care to a crew member from the vessel Hyundai Duke. The vessel
was 30 miles off the coast of Port Angeles, Wash. when the crewman was
airlifted after complaining of chest pains. Official U.S. Coast Guard
photo.






For video, contact Lt. Daniel Leary at (360) 417 - 5850




###

The U.S. Coast Guard is a military, maritime, multi-mission service
within the
Department of Homeland Security dedicated to protecting the safety and
security of America.






View this document online
U.S. Coast Guard - 13th District
13th District Public Information Site




Cut and paste the photo link into your browser and get a *large*
picture of medical
procedures inside a rescue helicopter.



Fortunately for the 39- year old man the ship wasn't smack dab in the
middle of the Pacific.


The "typical" or "average" recreational boater is probably at least as
old as the crewman in this incident. How many of us have made plans (or
more importantly drilled our SO's ((as in "rehearsed", shame on you))
and usual boating companions) to implement effective procedures on that
inevitable day when we find ourselves flopping around the on the cabin
sole and turning blue?

Anybody carrying a defibrilator?

Any other good ideas to share?