A scary moment

[creamcheese]

If they are happy then that's Ok - but I would urge anybody in that position that if they are not, to seek the help of their GP/practice nurse or even better if they can access one a local diabetes specialist nurse.

 

 

Very true. My mum (a diabetes specialist practice nurse and also Type 1) spent many years trying to convince my grandad to use human insulin and injection pens and such like. He was having none of it and stuck with his pig insulin and syringes, eating the same thing at the same time until he died aged 81. Not bad for a Type 1 diagnosed in his 20s

[Night Hawk]

Well...my partner's switching to an insulin pump...it all looks very technical...and the instruction book is vast...seems much better that 5 injections per day...I hadn't appreciated that hypos can kick in that quickly...we usually get fair warning when on the boat and hunt the the 'smart price' digestives!

[creamcheese]

Well...my partner's switching to an insulin pump...it all looks very technical...and the instruction book is vast...seems much better that 5 injections per day...I hadn't appreciated that hypos can kick in that quickly...we usually get fair warning when on the boat and hunt the the 'smart price' digestives!

 

 

My mum's had a pump for a couple of years now and loves it. Strangley after years of injecting four times a day, she's now not a fan of needles! She has found that she has to test her blood a lot more as without any long-acting insulin in the background she can go hyper very quickly. There's also the problem of stopping the pump as soon as she's going hypo as they're not clever enough to monitor blood sugar and dose up accordingly yet. Not great if she goes hypo in the night...

 

As an aside, I had to share a bed with my mother at the weekend when we were all at a family party. I was woken at 8am by mum vibrating. I didn't have a clue what it meant, but apparently it's supposed to wake her up to make sure she's still conscious. Sadly my mum is a very, very deep sleeper so it woke me up instead of her

[Night Hawk]

As an aside, I had to share a bed with my mother at the weekend when we were all at a family party. I was woken at 8am by mum vibrating.

 

 

....I'm soooo sorry....please for give my chortling at this comment....

[creamcheese]

....I'm soooo sorry....please for give my chortling at this comment....

 

That was the idea

 

I did see the funny side as I kicked my poor mother and said, "mum you're vibrating. Are you dead?"

[Night Hawk]

That was the idea

 

I did see the funny side as I kicked my poor mother and said, "mum you're vibrating. Are you dead?"

 

Nothing to do with Ann Summers then.....

 

Seriously though, this pump thing is quite some serious kit!

[Big John]

Fiona has diabetes and as a result of reading this thread has added a piece on our website's Medical Tips page, entitled "Living with Diabetes"

Edited March 3, 2010 by Big John

[J R]

Well done to Alnwick.

 

I was talking to someone from the Fire & Rescue Service the other day, he was doing his rounds with free boat fire checks, very useful, and I asked him if his or the Ambulance service was required while cruising, quite often if one is in the middle of nowhere, could a location be identified by them from a bridge or lock number number. His reply was unfortunately 'no' as they can only work from a street address, building, postcode etc. He did say that he would pass on my comments. Heaven forbid we have to make a phone call, but it does perhaps illustrate a potential problem when cruising. I was stopped last summer when walking near the canal by a paramedic on blues and twos going to an incident who had driven past me three times already, looking for a wharf on the K & A, and was lost. His control room was having difficulty too. Luckily he was only 1/2 a mile away and was soon pointed in the right direction.

[Graham Davis]

I can only answer for rural Wales, but the Ambulance and Fire Services here work to OS Map References. The local Young Farmers have recently been going around all the outlying farms and houses with a GPS and special cards on which they write the MR and place with the phone. It also helps if they have to arrange heli evac as that also can use MR's.

[Big John]

I can only answer for rural Wales, but the Ambulance and Fire Services here work to OS Map References.

Sorry to keep on recommending our website but we have a "Be Prepared to dial 999" link too!

[Graham Davis]

John

agree with what you are doing, but the problem is how many people actually have a GPS giving OS MR's or a copy of an OS map with them on the boat. Always thought it was a shame that Nicholson's don't put the grid line numbers on the maps in their books.

[nb Innisfree]

Well done to Alnwick.

 

I was talking to someone from the Fire & Rescue Service the other day, he was doing his rounds with free boat fire checks, very useful, and I asked him if his or the Ambulance service was required while cruising, quite often if one is in the middle of nowhere, could a location be identified by them from a bridge or lock number number. His reply was unfortunately 'no' as they can only work from a street address, building, postcode etc. He did say that he would pass on my comments. Heaven forbid we have to make a phone call, but it does perhaps illustrate a potential problem when cruising. I was stopped last summer when walking near the canal by a paramedic on blues and twos going to an incident who had driven past me three times already, looking for a wharf on the K & A, and was lost. His control room was having difficulty too. Luckily he was only 1/2 a mile away and was soon pointed in the right direction.

 

Been part of a fire crew more than once having to stop and ask directions. If possible when waiting for emergency services send out people to direct them.

[ditchcrawler]

John

agree with what you are doing, but the problem is how many people actually have a GPS giving OS MR's or a copy of an OS map with them on the boat. Always thought it was a shame that Nicholson's don't put the grid line numbers on the maps in their books.

The Broads Authority are now recommending you carry one for use in emergencies.

http://www.broads-authority.gov.uk/broads/...et_Jan_2010.pdf page 8

[OurLass]

The trouble is that unless you regularly use first-aid techniques as part of your job, or do an occasional refresher course, then it's likely that you'll forget what you learned on a first aid course.

 

I did a first-aid course several years ago and I minaturised and laminated the basic ABC (airway, breathing, circulation), of what to do in a medical emergency. If anyone finds me laying on the towpath I carry the instructions in my wallet

We found a chap lying alongside his boat on the towpath at Fenny Compton last year. As we approached I thought he was repairing it as his hand was between the hull and the bank, but as we got closer he was moaning and asking for help. He had a badly grazed knee and untied trainers on and had apparently tripped on the laces when getting off the boat and had bashed his head when he fell.. My husband and I helped him up (big chap!) and it was then obvious he had had a few too many but was none the less very grateful and appreciative of our help. It was quite an isolated spot where he was moored and he could have ended up lying there for some time if we hadn't ambled by.

Lyn

[nb Innisfree]

Some years ago I spotted a man prone on the pavement. Stopped car and ran over to him, knelt down ready to check for vital signs, he turned his head to look at me, "you ok?" I said, "yes" he said, "just listening for a water leak" then I spotted the water board logo on his jacket!

Edited March 7, 2010 by nb Innisfree