30.10.2004
Press release n°12b
Remote medical treatment
Once the sailors have cast off, they will be facing a future of both loneliness and joy, but also technical and physical problems. The aim of this medical treatment developed by Jean-Yves Chauve, who is the leading authority on remote treatment for sailors, is to ward off any problems that may affect these single-handed yachtsmen, and to offer them a response to any medical complaints they might encounter at sea.
Each sailor has for this reason filled out a detailed, personal file giving information about his own past medical history and the contact information for his GP. A medical kit containing about a hundred different products has also been supplied, and a two-day training course was set up to help them get to know the contents of the kit.
The skippers have also learnt how to do a few stitches, as well as the basic resuscitation techniques. As the rescue units are a long way away, when you are in the southern seas, for example, the closest person to come to your assistance is very often one of the other competitors.
What is important, however, is that the sailors can get in touch with Jean-Yves Chauve, who reindexs on telephone call 24 hours a day during the 120 days of the race. Dr. Chauve reindexs at the forefront of the whole scheme, and if necessary, can contact the relevant specialists according to the medical complaint in question. He can therefore be contacted by phone, by e-mail and also by video link.
We can add that Jean-Yves Chauve has the backing of AGF Safety Partner in this adventure.
Three questions for Jean-Yves Chauve
Jean-Yves Chauve is the race doctor. As a doctor, but also as a sailor, he will be on permanent stand-by to be the first to reply to any questions and to try to resolve any physical or psychological problems the sailors may encounter once they are at sea.
1- What will your role be once the start gun has been fired?
«My job is to try to ward off the problems that can affect all single-handed sailors and deal with any that arise. I’ll be setting up a permanent stand-by unit available 24 hours a day in my office, which is the only one to have a waiting room the size of the world! My aim is one of prevention, but also I will try to reassure, help, of course, and do my utmost with the means at my disposal to ensure the sailor can continue his race. I’ll be spending four months on alert 24 hours a day with five phone lines on stand-by. In fact, I’ll be putting my private life on hold for four months».
2- What are the major worries and problems that our sailors may encounter?
«The most common problems are linked to an accident and affect the hands, head or chest. We may need to deal remotely with damage to the ribs, or broken fingers, as well as wounds. Skin infections are also quite common and take a long time to heal in this salty, wet environment. We may also have to deal with psychological problems, and I’ll be keeping a close lookout for them».
3- Are there any times during the race when such incidents are more likely to occur?
«Yes, I’ve divided the race into different phases and I have noticed that it is after rounding the Horn that a lot of things tend to happen. Until they reach the Equator, you can say the sailors are just entering into the race. Then, they start getting ready for the southern ocean. After that, they see Cape Horn as a reward and somewhat of a relief. They are on their way home, and that is when the problems they left behind on dry land come back and hit them. Money problems, marriage problems, the problems of everyday life... «What am I going to do when I get home?»… They thus become less alert, more susceptible, and that’s when an accident can happen!».
Source : Mer & Médias
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