- Medevac Delayed Due to Adverse Weather Conditions.
- Friendly Competition Leads to Serious Injury.
- Emergency Response Challenges in Isolated Environments.
A recent accident on board a member ship has highlighted the possible risks involved in apparently innocuous physical activities among shipboard crew members. In an informal arm-wrestling contest, a crew member broke his arm, requiring a medical evacuation (medevac) and an estimated 3 to 4 months of convalescence at home, reports Marine Safety Forum.
Incident Details
While both crewmen thought the arm-wrestling contest was just joking around, the incident turned into a serious injury that must be treated immediately. Unfortunately, the medevac was delayed because of bad weather, and the injured crewman had to stay onboard until evacuation the next day.
Key Takeaways
- Unexpected Consequences of Physical Activities: Even recreational, friendly contests can lead to severe injury. In this instance, what was supposed to be a lighthearted competition ended in a lengthy medical leave.
- Operational Challenges in Remote Environments: The medevac delay due to inclement weather accentuates the challenge of having timely emergency medical services in remote sea environments.
Lessons Learned / Recommended Actions
- Shun High-Risk Recreational Activities: Members of the crew must not participate in body contact competitive activities like arm wrestling or other sports that have an injury risk.
- Encourage Safer Recreational Activities: Encourage group activities that encourage bonding without risking safety, for example, playing board games, watching movies, or exercise sessions with low-risk exposure.
- Enforce a Safety-First Culture: Crew members need to be motivated to consider critically the likely consequences of their behaviour, not just at work but also at leisure.
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Source: Marine Safety Forum
