Handling medical emergency while cruising

This is unfortunately always an event that really isn't related to a boating accident per se. Just what is the advice or recommendation from others for handling an event that would require urgent surgical/hospital assistance such as person being unconscious, a severe cut/wound bleeding and needing stitching, broken limb, etc ?

Does this type of situation warrant a call for help on Chan 16 ?

Should mobile be used to call 911 ?

Would the following be acceptable using Chan 16 ?

MAYDAY-MAYDAY-MAYDAY
This is Laxey, Laxey, Laxey.... MMSI 367431510
My location is Puget Sound 2 miles north of Clinton ferry terminal and west of Camano Island
Need urgent medical assistance
First mate has collapsed and is not responding
Two adults and two small dogs onboard only
Laxey is a Ranger Tug R25 with blue hull and bright Yellow dinghy on swim step
Will be heading to Clinton ferry terminal ASAP.
OVER

I have over 10 years of ER experience and given the circumstances you detailed in the simulated radio transmission I would definitely recommend calling this an emergency. I would start with using the radio and let the Coast Guard direct you. Hopefully this will never happen.

Karl

LAXEY..Your radio should have a DSC button, under the red flap. In that situation you would push and hold for 3 seconds and then release. This gives the USCG all the information on you boat and your long and lat. They or someone should respond. If not use channel 16 and follow the rules for mayday mayday mayday. If you do not have a copy of Boating Skills and Seamanship you should get a copy. If you have not taken the Boating Safely class, USCG Auxiliary or US Power Squadron I would recommend that. When you key up channel 16 the USCG triangulates your position through Rescue 21, but it does not get very close, therefore use your long and lat off the Garmin, and know how to read that.

Robert, Buoy Navigator, USCG Auxiliary

Robert:

Thanks... 🙂 I was really looking for confirmation that the use of Chan 16 is OK for urgent medical situations.

Yes, I'm aware I have DSC on my VHF radio and I've programmed it with all the required data etc. Of course, so far I've not had the need to use it, so I cannot confirm that the USCG would actually get all the required data. Laxey is a USCG/Homeland Security documented boat.

I do have copy of Boating Skills and Seamanship.

First Mate and I have taken the 6-week long Boating Safety class, USCG Auxiliary (Edmonds unit) in 2010.

This is link to USCG mayday procedure:
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=mtBoater

Here is USCG procedure for DSC mayday:
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=DSCDistress

I remember on Desolation Sound last summer listening to a boat calling fire onboard to Comox radio, and first thing watchstander asked was to make sure all onboard were wearing a pfd.

And I think it's important to listen to emerg calls to render aid if close by.

There's a recent episode of Real Housewives of the Bering Sea (Deadliest Catch) where a crab boat rescues 5 crew in a life raft.

Over the Seattle opening day weekend we learned of two situations that could have led to a death. In both cases members of the Gig Harbor Yacht club came to the aid after visually witnessing the event. In the first a fisherman flipped his skiff on a wave and went into the water with waders on and no PFD off of Defiance. He was fortunate others saw him flip. In the second the skipper of a large sailboat went forward without a PFD to work on fenders and with the boat still in gear. He fell overboard with the boat continuing underway. He was fished from the water and fortunately his boat was pursued by other boaters who managed to get onboard and shut it down before it hit something or someone.
While we went thru the locks I think that my wife and I were the only ones out on the bow/ deck with a PFD on. Some folks just have a very large comfort zone I guess......