Club captain Marianne writes: We didn’t manage a Committee meeting this month (though still lots of hard work going on behind the scenes as usual). This is a short update on general news, with a focus on health.
Avian Flu
You might have heard in the news that we’re in the grip of a significant outbreak of avian flu, particularly on the east coast of Scotland. While the threat to human health is low, if you find dead birds, please do not handle them. You can report finds to DEFRA 03459 335577. There’s more information on the Scottish Government’s website.
Locally the inner Forth hasn’t seen the same level of bird mortality as the outer Forth because the main species affected aren’t present. However, tides and winds may bring us the evidence of what’s happening further out.
Jellyfish!
It’s jellyfish season again and between now and the end of summer, you’ll see mainly lion’s mane and moon jellyfish around the marina and on the slip. Launching and recovering the boat is where we might come into contact with them. Jellyfish can still sting even when stranded or dead.
But what to do if you are stung? As Alan S and I learned on recent first aid training, it’s NOT what you’re probably thinking!
- Flush the area with SEA WATER – use the boat bailers
- Send someone up the Shed to boil the kettle while you’re doing this
- You can pull out stings with tweezers, NOT your hands
- Put the affected area in as hot water as you can stand – use tea towels if it’s too awkward to bathe the area
- Paracetamol can help with pain
Alan and I are going to look at our current first aid kit in the Shed and in the grab bags to check we have what we need to cover small incidents.
Defibrillator
Please take a moment next time you’re down to make you know where the defibrillator is – on the wall of the red brick laundry building at the top of the slip. If you’re ever sent for it, take your mobile phone as you’ll need to call 999 and get a code in order to open the box it sits in.
Club first aiders are: Alan Sutherland, Alexander Thiboutot, Dónal Ferrie and Marianne Sandison. Staff at the Watersports Centre and the Coastguard Station are also trained, would be happy to help. The Coastguard Station has access to equipment we can’t carry.
And that’s it for June. Enjoy your rowing!
One more wee addition: in case you haven’t seen it, here is the St Ayles 10th anniversary film. Well worth a watch, with some familiar faces.