First Aid Afloat – Here is what to do if somebody stands on a fish spine:
• Check for dangers. Is it safe for you to enter the water?
• Check for levels of response and for normal breathing
• Inform emergency services if necessary
• If needed treat serious bleeding
• If easily done remove embedded fish spines
Immerse wound in as hot water as possible without scalding. Leave in the water for up to 90 minutes for pain relief and to help remove small spines
• Apply a cold compress to wound if hot water is not relieving the pain
• Clean wound with antiseptics wipes from the first aid kit
• Seek medical assistance if necessary
(taken from Paul Hopkins new app for iPhone & Tablets, First Aid Afloat)
First Aid Afloat – jellyfish stings
Seasickness – how can you prevent it?
Boat electrics and essential checklist
Avoiding collisions at sea – how to stay safe on the water
ColRegs when sailing single handed
Passage Planning Advice & Safety for skippers
Essential Knots: Bowline
Weather forecasting tips
An explanation of the IALA maritime buoyage systems – IALA A and IALA B
Essential Boat Spares for Safety
You Need To Understand The IRPCS ColRegs To Pass Your Yachtmaster, Master of Yachts and Coxswain Certificate of Competence
Medical Emergency at Sea
Boating Rules of the Road – International ColRegs
Antifouling for leisure boats – Part 3
Antifouling is one of the least pleasant boat maintenance jobs to do, but it has to be done. The very worst job of all is removing the old antifouling as this can get seriously messy and is very hard work.
Learn ColRegs: Traffic Separation Schemes
ColRegs Nav Lights & Shapes, Rules Of The Road and IALA Buoys Apps
Keel design – options to consider when choosing a yacht
Rudders and steering systems – Part 1
Rudders and steering systems. A rudder is one of the most critical parts of a boat. Rudder failure is a common occurrence on neglected or overworked boats and a very unpleasant and potentially dangerous thing to happen when you are out at sea.
Rewiring a boat – overcoming the challenges involved
Sail boat rig checks – Part 1
Sailing boat rigs need to be checked regularly to reduce the risk of rig failure at sea. In part one of Sail boat rig checks we run through a series of useful checks that owners and skippers can carry out.
Fire safety advice at sea from the Marine & Coastguard Agency
Understanding tides
Tacking a sailing boat
Boat decks and superstructure
The deck of a boat is constantly exposed to the elements and should be inspected on an annual basis. Particular attention needs to be given to the overall condition of deck fittings such as the stanchions, cleats and chainplates.
Rudders and steering systems – Part 3
In the third of our three blog articles on rudders and steering systems, we look at how to replace rudder bearings and repair a water-saturated core.
