How is the consultation at sea?
The consultations - and especially the first one - are done in voice because we need to exchange orally. We then exchange a lot by email. Professional ships have a lot of resources on board. So for diagnoses, we use digital photography, especially in case of a wound or allergy. 50% of our files are accompanied by digital photos sent by email or SMS on a dedicated number. At CCMM we are considered the pioneers of telemedicine.
In the case of pleasure boating?
This organisation, initially set up for the navy, also works for the yachtsman. Few know of our existence, except seasoned boaters. We are in particular in contact with the people who leave for transatlantic, round the world and who ask us before their departure. They know they can reach us in case of medical problems.
Usually, the boater who encounters a medical problem on board contacts the CROSS. And still within the framework of the circular specifying that an injured patient must receive a medical opinion, the CROSS sends him back to us to make the consultation.
Among recreational boaters, the proportion of people landed is quite different. That is the whole problem. We are very often confronted with the impossibility of helping because, on board, there is nothing. Only the first aid kit is a bare minimum to have on board and often the yachtsman has not anticipated. He doesn't have any antibiotics, painkillers or painkillers. We often find ourselves in a situation where we are able to tell them what is happening and what should be done but having nothing on board, they are obliged to go back to the dock to see a doctor or to send an emergency service for appropriate care. On a merchant navy ship, I would write a prescription and everything would be done to treat it on board.
