Retired Nassau County NY Detective Sargent, Capt. Pozun has learned much about emergencies at sea in his 40 years of sailing. As a registered nurse and USPS instructor, he is well qualified to offer advice for dealing with on board medical issues. Our thanks to Tony for sharing his knowledge.

Sailing Injuries
By Anthony Pozun, BS, RN.

Sailing as a pastime, hobby or a full-time leisure activity, can be both fulfilling and enjoyable. The many working parts and movement of the sailboat is hard work which can can cause accidents, falls, collisions, which may lead to injury. But with a little bit of planning and forethought, before its usages, the sailboat and its many working parts, can be enjoyed without injury. This article will discuss the possible incidents and accidents, leading to injuries, and will give some suggestions for pre-planning, prevention, commonsense rules, on dealing with the many working parts of a sailboat.
Being swept overboard is one of the most fatal type injuries that can occur on a sailboat. Most overboard incidents can be avoided with the application of certain precepts. These include using a little common sense, some pre-planning and prevention. The main thought of any person should be “stay on the boat”,” stay on the boat”,” stay on the boat”. All persons working on the sailboat should at least wear a personal flotation device. A member alone on deck, at the helm, or a lone sailor must wear also wear a safety tether tying him or her to the boat. Any person moving about should adhere to the adage as “one hand for me, one hand for the boat”. They should move about low to the deck, slowly and purposely. Because we cannot always prevent persons going overboard, certain safety equipment should be available on the sailboat. This may include main overboard poles, life rings, throw rings, floatable cushions. A hoist, PFD’s with GPS locators, all items to assist retrieval of persons thrown overboard.
One of the incidents which can lead to being swept over or serious injury is swinging boom accidents. The boom on a sailboat is constantly moving, is heavy and has a tremendous amount of force behind it. Injuries include concussions to the head, body and even being swept overboard. All persons should assess the possibility of being struck by the boom. Some prevention includes, not moving about, or standing up. All persons should always listen to commands of the captain during tacks and jibes, and only move about if it is necessary as part of their job.
A third incident is falling through open hatches and walkways, resulting in injuries ranging from contusions to serious fractures. Again a little prevention through pre-planning will help. When moving about a moving or stationary boat one must move cautiously, slowly, and with purpose. Rushing about only causes injuries. Owners of boats may mark those areas of danger with protective foam, and or highlight with bright colors or decals to warn others.
A fourth third incident that may occur is tripping and falling on lines and devices used in the course of sailing. These injuries include bruises, contusions and fractures to toes, feet, lower and upper limbs from tripping and falling. Pre-planning and Prevention is the key to prevent these injuries. Observe and know where these hazards are. Move slowly and purposely, keeping one hand for you one hand for the boat. Always wear sturdy shoes, boat shoes or sneakers. Never move about the boat with sandals, Flip-flops, other loose footwear or barefoot. Think before you move.
Another incident which can cause serious injury is hitting another object, boat, fixed dock etc. or sandbar, causing immediate stoppage of the boat. In these situations persons may be thrown about. Injuries occurring from this include contusions, abrasions, fractures, concussions and many worse. Always know where your boat is, what are the depths, where are the hazards. Common sense and pre-planning must be used at all times to control the direction and motion of the boat. Be observant for these hazards and prepare to avoid them. Use of charts, maps, radar or sonar if available, previous knowledge or information should be diligently applied. If there is ever a question or unknown information which causes a dangerous condition, slow or stop the boat, reassesses the situation and if necessary contact, via radio persons that know the area and may help. The Coast Guard, Tow Boat US, Sea Tow, Harbormasters, or even local commercial fisherman are persons with a wealth of information about local areas unfamiliar to the boater.
Seasickness although not a true injury, is an illness that can cause much dismay pain and discomfort. Often called motion sickness, mal de mar, “I want to die syndrome”, it can be a wrenching illness. It is caused by one’s brain and central nervous system receiving conflicting signals from the inner ear and the eyes. It can occur out on the ocean or on a calm day in a bay. Symptoms may include: dizziness; nausea; vomiting; painful stomach; balance problems; feeling of movement when there is none. Prevention before the onset of seasickness is perhaps the only cure. Medically there are medications and devices which may be taken including, Bonine, Meclizine, Benadryl and others. Accu bands which create pressure points on the wrist, have been known to prevent seasickness also. Avoiding heavy greasy meals before or during sailing, avoiding caffeine drinks, and avoiding those foods which is known in the past to cause sickness will help. While on board sit in the middle of the boat, keep your eyes open on the water and boat, keep busy if possible, hydrate with water, ginger ale, cola syrup, eat ginger cookies, saltines etc. Do not go below. Often the only cure may be to get oneself on dry land. In any event prevention before the onset seems to be the most diligent cure.
A sailboat as many working systems, and maintenance is necessary. Performing maintenance without planning can cause a myriad of injuries. First know and study your equipment, engine parts and other moving parts i.e. blocks, lines, winches, electrical, booms, or standing rigging can catch or hit body parts, Work only on non moving non charged systems. Hands or other body parts may get caught in a moving engine or burned in a charged Electrical system. Rigging under load (which has tremendous release force capabilities) if released improperly will cause serious injuries. Pre-planning safety, includes making sure these systems are all shut down and not under load. Make a plan, move slowly and purposely. Have all tools available/ think before acting. When working on boat on dry land be sure ladders are safe and secured to the boat. Be particularly slow and cautious on ladders, move slowly and cautiously as falls from heights to the ground may be catastrophic.

Whether it be day sailing in the bay or cruising on the coast, sailing is an adventure. But it is a working adventure with an environment of many moving parts and systems. These working dynamic systems must be respected and worked with. The sailor must constantly assess and reassess his surroundings and actions to those surroundings for to ignore may lead to serious injury. Sailing can be rewarding and absent of accidents and incidents if sailors take some time in planning and preparation. Having a plan for the day’s sail, and tasks that need to be done safely, will result in no incidents or injuries. Planning in advance and using the a plan will always reduce risk. Having a plan, knowing and using known safe techniques, common sense, analyzing tasks and moving slowly, will insure a safe and happy voyage. This works for the big ocean sailor, as well as the small day sailor in the sound or bay.