Best Of
Re: California Considering a Text Message Tax
kellercl
12/13/18 offshore, medical emergency
Forecast was way off, with solid 3-4s most of the day, increasing as the winds picked up blowing 20-25 out of the SE. Conditions made the fishing tough..
Planned to drop on one last spot when one of my anglers had a medical emergency. Gentleman went to use the restroom, and while doing so discovered he was bleeding pretty heavily.. Immediately ran back in and got in touch with the US Coast Guard over the vhf. Seas continued to grow, and we were looking at a solid 6-7 ft steep ground swell with some chop on top. Had to keep speeds at 18-20 mph due to sea state. Made our way in and were met by the 45 ft cutter around 15 miles out. EMS looked him over and determined he likely had an internal arterial bleed with elevated pulse and BP... gave him an iv and pushed some meds...They request to get a Helo, but it was going to be faster for us to run him in. Seas laid down to 3-4 at this point and i was able to run mid 30s back into south seas where he was airlifted. Checked in with him and he is still in the hospital, but out of icu and doing better.
Reflecting on the situation, I walked away with a few small points that may help others and I would like to share/educate. They are below, in no particular order as they all bare equal importance.
Aside from checking weather forecasts Make sure if you decide to venture out on your own boats well offshore, your boat can handle an increase in seas or an incorrect forecast. I was happy to be in my 33 World Cat as we were still SAFELY able to make way at a reasonably fast cruise speed. It was definitely sporty, but at no point did i feel unsafe.
point 2: Make sure you have a solid means of communication. Cell phones generally loose signal outside of about 7-9 miles depending on your carrier. A good working VHF with a tall antenna is must. Channel 16 is the international station for Hailing and Distress. I used it as my primary means of communication. I also carry a satellite text messenger, as well as an EPIRB. In the event of an emergency, you want to contact the coast guard as quickly as possible. They were able to get the cutter dispatched from Fort Myers Beach almost immediately, headed my way. By giving them my current position, coarse and speed, they were able to figure out an intersect point to get EMS to us as quickly as possible.
point 3: Have a plan in place for the what ifs. Know what to do if something were to happen. Whether going with your friends, family or strangers, as the captain, find out if anyone has any medical issues. Know if they are on any medications, are diabetic, or anything of that nature. Make sure someone other than yourself knows what to do in the event something were to happen to you.
point 4: Make sure you have all your proper safety equipment on board and up to date. Worse thing that can happen is being unprepared.
point 5. Stay calm. assess the situation. give definitive instruction to others on board. Because of the sea state, I had to stay with 2 hands on the wheel. I had another person monitor and continue to talk to the patient while i drove and communicated with coast guard via VHF.
Overall, I am very happy and thankful for the outcome. The coast guard responded as quickly as they could and were very professional throughout the event.
May everyone stay safe and have a Merry Christmas! Tight Lines to all! Looking forward to getting back out on the water this upcoming week if weather allows!
-Dan
Re: In the last decade alone, American taxpayers have spent at least $40 million on Confederate monument
August 9, 1960
Dear Dr. Scott:
Respecting your August 1 inquiry calling attention to my often expressed admiration for General Robert E. Lee, I would say, first, that we need to understand that at the time of the War between the States the issue of secession had remained unresolved for more than 70 years. Men of probity, character, public standing and unquestioned loyalty, both North and South, had disagreed over this issue as a matter of principle from the day our Constitution was adopted.
General Robert E. Lee was, in my estimation, one of the supremely gifted men produced by our Nation. He believed unswervingly in the Constitutional validity of his cause which until 1865 was still an arguable question in America; he was a poised and inspiring leader, true to the high trust reposed in him by millions of his fellow citizens; he was thoughtful yet demanding of his officers and men, forbearing with captured enemies but ingenious, unrelenting and personally courageous in battle, and never disheartened by a reverse or obstacle. Through all his many trials, he remained selfless almost to a fault and unfailing in his faith in God. Taken altogether, he was noble as a leader and as a man, and unsullied as I read the pages of our history.
From deep conviction, I simply say this: a nation of men of Lee’s calibre would be unconquerable in spirit and soul. Indeed, to the degree that present-day American youth will strive to emulate his rare qualities, including his devotion to this land as revealed in his painstaking efforts to help heal the Nation’s wounds once the bitter struggle was over, we, in our own time of danger in a divided world, will be strengthened and our love of freedom sustained.
Such are the reasons that I proudly display the picture of this great American on my office wall.
Sincerely,
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Re: In the last decade alone, American taxpayers have spent at least $40 million on Confederate monument
How short sighted the the “ tolerant” party is.
Really, it’s becoming so embarrassing to claim to be from an “ enlightened “ country these days.
dave44
Re: Nobody hunting?
Nothing to write home about, but I'll never forget the double that morning and glad to say they have both been delicious. 
Re: Lost the passion for fishing - has this happened to anyone else?
Old Dog
Re: i hate snitches
Re: Nobody hunting?
Since nobody is posting any reports I will stick one in here. My son struck again on a family hunt a few weeks back. This was his first public land deer and we were stoked. Funny how excited you get when your child kills a deer that you would let walk. We celebrated like he had just killed a monster 8 pt. Anyway this is a hunt that we will never forget.
