152-Bluewater Medic with Bryony Palmer

This week, Aebhric O’Kelly talks with Bryony Palmer, who shares her unique journey as a nurse who transitioned to sailing and humanitarian work. She discusses her experiences in offshore medicine, the challenges of providing medical care at sea, and her efforts to improve training and safety within the sailing community. Bryony also recounts a harrowing incident involving her husband's dislocated shoulder during a storm, highlighting the importance of preparation and adaptability in emergency situations. Throughout the discussion, she emphasises the need for better training and resources for sailors, as well as the value of thinking outside the box in medical practice.

Takeaways

Bryony Palmer is a nurse specialising in offshore and wilderness medicine.

She aims to improve medical training in the sailing community.

Bryony coordinated a humanitarian response with 65 sailing vessels after a hurricane.

She emphasises the importance of preparation and training for sailors.

Dealing with medical emergencies at sea requires adaptability and quick thinking.

Bryony faced a challenging situation when her husband dislocated his shoulder at sea.

She highlights the need for better medical resources on sailing vessels.

Training for medical emergencies should include context-specific scenarios.

Bryony encourages future sailors to practice solo sailing before embarking on long journeys.

She believes in thinking outside the box to improve healthcare delivery.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Bryony Palmer and Her Journey

02:48 Background in Nursing and Transition to Sailing

06:41 Coordinating Humanitarian Aid in Disaster Response

08:56 Training and Preparation for Sailing

13:42 Dealing with Medical Emergencies at Sea

36:59 Lessons Learned and Advice for Future Sailors