Dr Dave Austin has seen every type of injury during offshore races, from breaks and sprains to an amputated hand, which is why the Dr Dave’s Offshore Medical Course is a must for anyone planning on heading offshore.
Dr Dave will be running the course for the seventh time on February 11-12 at the Bucklands Beach Yacht Club in Auckland.
The course is recognised by Yachting New Zealand for category 1 and other events requiring an advanced first aid qualification. The course is also recognised by World Sailing for events such as the Auckland Fiji, Auckland Noumea, Sydney to Hobart and the Fastnet race and is valid for five years.
Dr Dave is a Kiwi and experienced yachtsman, with more than 40,000 miles under his sea boots. He's also the director of intensive care services for Central Queensland Health and in 2019 was nominated for Australian of the Year.
He's specified the medical kits detailed in the Safety Regulations of Sailing 2021-2024 and has been part of the team compiling the specification of first aid kits for World Sailing Offshore Safety Regulations.
The course has been extended to cover the basic standards of first aid before looking at how to manage medical issues at sea that include:
- Sea sickness
- Minor wounds
- Major trauma (wounds and closure techniques, fractures and dislocations)
- Cardiac arrest
- Burns
- Infection
- Intramuscular injections
Course details
- Cost includes morning and afternoon tea, and lunch
- Maximum number: 60
- Venue: Bucklands Beach Yacht Club
- Date: February 11-12, 2023
- Time: 9am-4pm both days