Health

Another planning issue is health and well being both during the crossing and whilst cruising the islands. As a regular blood donor, I was able to enquire about possible nasty diseases in Central America and the Caribbean. Some of the answers were quite surprising, and so we will be avoiding the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Haiti and Great Exuma island in the Bahamas! All of our other potential destinations are free of exotic diseases (for now...) and require no further vaccinations or preventative medicines than Europe. However, we do plan to make all our own water rather than risk contaminating our on board supply with water of dubious origins from the smaller islands where it is advisable to boil drinking water.


First aid is a bit more serious. The Race rules stipulate that all crew must have a medical certificate deeming them fit for the ocean crossing. James will present himself and the kids to our GP tonight and I shall double mine up with my pilot medical on Friday. I have also been lucky enough to know a tame doctor who has come up with a list of medicines to carry. Unlike first aid on land which aims to stabilise a patient for only a matter of minutes prior to professional assistance arriving, at sea we will be a fortnight from land and most likely 72 hours from the nearest medical assistance. Cruise ships and naval vessels have well-equipped facilities so we'd need to hail something nearby to get a medivac for any casualty. 


Our first aid supplies (which we hope to leave unopened) includes strong pain killers, antibiotics, antihistamines, steroids and other generic drugs that should help stabilise someone for a few days following any foreseeable trauma or serious ailment. We also have a sat phone and will be able to speak to a medical specialist via Race Control during our passage who should be able to guide us as necessary. The trick is to be careful to avoid trauma on deck, keep good housekeeping to avoid food poisoning, and be lucky to avoid systemic ailments!