In-boat Emergency Plan
After discussion with the committee, sweeps and those with medical training/experience, the following protocol was determined.
1. Preparedness
Ambulance-accessible emergency landing points in the parts of the river we use already identified.
Medical advice/assistance: Various members have either professional medical training or first aid qualifications. The person with most medical training on the boat takes charge of the medical situation. This may involve directly giving assistance to the person or instructing whoever is closest.
Phone readiness: A phone is carried in a float box at the rear of the boat to call an ambulance if needed. The sweep passes it to the nearest paddler to ring for assistance and stay on the phone. A whistle can also be kept in the float box.
Stretcher: A strong but lightweight tarp or towel could be kept on board, folded and out of the way.
Sweep: Note that due to balancing requirements, strategic placement of those with medical training/first aid qualifications may not be possible. Although the sweep is required to have first aid certificate, the sweep remains in charge of the boat and the sweep oar.
Before setting off, the sweep outlines safety procedure in the event of capsize.
Commonsense: Not every situation can be identified and prepared for. It is expected that in the event of an in-boat emergency, commonsense will prevail.
2. The plan in the event of an in-boat emergency
Identify the problem, support the person in as near a coma position as possible while sitting up, and paddle like mad for nearest ambulance-accessible landing point. Trying to perform CPR in the boat would be dangerous and impractical.
3. Procedure
- Paddler closest to person calls ‘Collapse!’
- Sweep calls ‘Stop the boat! Paddles on the water!’
- Sweep hands nearest paddler phone and whistle from float box to call ambulance
- Nearest CPR-qualified person identifies problem using DRSABCD
- Danger
- Response – assess problem (suitably trained person)
- Send – paddler closest to sweep uses phone from float box at rear of boat to call 000 or uses Emergency Plus app on phone. That person stays on the phone with the ambulance and advises where boat will head for, using Emergency Plus to give exact location.
- Check Airway
- Check Breathing
- If necessary, perform CPR on land. One person should be sent to meet the ambulance and direct paramedics to the boat.
- Defibrillation (ambulance)
4. Practise points
- Changing seats in the boat smoothly – no rocking!
- Supporting person in seated, coma-like position with airway unobstructed.
- Carrying an individual from the boat – needs 6-8 people.
