Prevention of Torso Reflex

Torso Reflex, or Inhalation Response, is an automatic physiological reaction resulting from sudden immersion into cold water. When sudden immersion takes place, the individual involuntarily gasps, which is a reflexive sucking in of air in an attempt to rapidly...

Paddling Without a Facemask

As some of you already know I had a freak accident on lower Big Sandy Creek on the afternoon of May 1. Brent Austin, Brent’s friend Scott, Charlie Walbridge and I were enjoying a magnificent day on the river, the level was a sweet 6.15 feet, the river was running...

Nalgene Bottle First Aid Kit

     Many boaters don’t carry a first aid kit, but they really should. Even on an accessible river like the Ocoee, it’s good to have bandages, aspirin and antacid tablets to save a hike back to the car. On more remote trips it can make...

Hypothermia

by Dick Hurd, MDCool weather is just around the corner, so it is appropriate to take a refresher course on hypothermia,which is defined as a drop in the body’s core temperature to less than 95 F. I will discuss the physiology, recognition, practical treatment,...

Drowning

Reproduced with permission”2005 American Heart Association Guidelines for CPR and ECC”© 2005 American Heart Association Editor’s Note: This article, submitted by Richard Hurd, Jr. MD, is reprinted under copyright agreement exactly as originally...