Concept2 Forum

I was just reading the NEJM and found this week's Case Records of the Massachusetts General Hospital to be related to rowing (unfortunately). The full article requires subscription (you should be able to access it through a university VPN). I don't think I'm allowed to re-distribute the full text, but maybe someone else might be able to.

I hope that rower is doing fine, and please, row safe and encourage others also.

Link: http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/short/356/13/1353

Excerpt:
Case 10-2007 — A 55-Year-Old Man Impaled in a Rowing Accident
Robert L. Sheridan, M.D., George Velmahos, M.D., Ph.D., R. Malcolm Smith, M.D., and Richard Sacknoff, M.D.

Presentation of Case

A 55-year-old man was admitted to this hospital after being impaled by the prow of a racing shell in a rowing accident.

The patient, who was in excellent health, was sculling on the Charles River in Boston when his boat collided head-on at approximately 7:20 a.m. with an eight-person shell moving in the opposite direction; both boats were estimated to be traveling at 24 to 32 km per hour. The initial contact between the vessels tore a rubber safety bumper from the larger boat, and the sharp prow of the larger craft entered the left side of the patient's lower . . .

blahman wrote:....both boats were estimated to be traveling at 24 to 32 km per hour.....

24 km per hour is a 75 second 500. NOt likely that both boats were going gaster.

What was noteworthy about the injuries? I'm assuming something must be because it was written up.

This story was covered in Rowing News as one of rowings' greatest comeback stories.

http://www.rowingnews.com/sub.cfm?section=issue&ID=12



The rower was impaled on the bow of the eight, and had bowel protruding through his side. His bowel and hip were banged up by the bow, he had bits of boat in him, and his innards were exposed to bacteria-laden Charles river water.

He has also made a complete recovery, and as I understand it rowed competitively last summer. Remarkable! Good for him and the trauma team at Mass General!

Here's what I think:
(1) When sculling, assume that the cox in the eight does not necessarily see you, and row defensively, very defensively.
(2) Make sure that the bow balls on all rowing equipment are SECURELY fastened on.
(3) If there is an accident on the water, insist that the injured be taken to the nearest trauma center. Move fast, do not delay in calling 911.
(4) Some people are just extraordinary and inspirational.

(5) stay at home and erg!
(6) stay in bed and don't move
(7) don't eat meat and stay healthy
(8) never trust a (male)stranger
(9) eat your breakfast
(10) listen to Tyn
(11) remember no: 10
(12).................

Tyn,
That really cheers me up... a really really good reason to erg instead of going OTW.

Rocky wrote:... a really really good reason to erg instead of going OTW

Apart from the risk of ending up as a kebab, if you fall off the erg you don't get wet.

Not if you end in ytour own pool of sweat that is