Left for Dead by Nick Ward

[Hwyl]

Just read it, a stunning tale. Nick is the guy who was left by his crewmates (including a young Matthew Sheahan who now writes for Yachting World) while they took to their liferaft in the 79 Fastnet.

Amazing story, he woke up next to the boat being towed by his harness and the boat dismasted.

I got mine on Maine inter library loan, (actually from Bath library)

[seanz]

Read it last week, very good read. Harrowing really.....

As you have done a lot of ocean sailing and I've done exactly none, I have a question for you. Try not to laugh.
I've read books about the Fastnet and Sydney to Hobart storms and head injuries at sea can be a (lethal) problem. So why is head protection never mentioned along with all the other safety gear?

[Brian Palmer]

I think I once saw a photo of Ellen MacArthur up a mast with a helmet on.

Brian

[Hwyl]

I've seen helmets used in dinghy sailing, but it has yet to happen in big boats except the extreme racers. I sleep feet first when it's an option, especially if going fast, I know some of the singlehanders sleep in a helmet.

[seanz]

Thanks. Head injuries are something I notice when reading sailing books. It's funny what you pick up from reading the survival at sea type of book. For me a severe head injury is the worst (non-fatal) injury. Nick Ward would have had a significant concussion in my (very non-medical) opinion.
I'm only able to think straight thanks to Shoei helmets.......
:)

[adam96]

Helmets on.....

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r178/alangerm/erste_ausfahrt_10.jpg

[Chip-skiff]

On that boat, they'd need pressure suits. . .or parachutes.

[John B]

I reckon they need em on a lot more than just that boat. Speedboat, now .. what is it... Virgin Money? that sort of boat has a full time medic aboard. Stuff that into the back of a wave at 35 knots and there's going to be some flying bodies.
Anyway, from someone who will carry the implications and ramifications of a boating head injury for life , be careful.

[JimConlin]

There have been a few times this season on Damfino when I thought a helmet might be a good idea. What kind of helmets are these guys using?

[Hwyl]

Some pretty heady thread drift here, but it's not just the professionals

http://www.sail1design.com/core/getthumb?user=3201&site=4453&w=400&h=400&file=members/3526635/images/Dilan%20and%20ben%20left%20to%20rightsml.jpg

[Brian Palmer]

Looks like those kids are wearing skateboard helmets, the brand is ProTec. They also make whitewater paddling helmets.

Brian

[Pernicious Atavist]

Racing out of the Cape Canaveral Yacht Club, one of our competitor's boats had to send s crewmember ashore after being whacked by the boom. Tied alongside afterwards, they were washing blood from the deck.

That's why I like my bamboo spars! [A nicer tone when one gets whacked.]

Nice to see the kiddies, at least, wearing brain buckets! Let's just hope USCG doesn't decided we MUST wear helmets like they tried to do with PFD's.

Didn't someone recently die from a head injury during a traditional craft race?

I'm sorry--didn't mean to contribute to thread-jacking!