Narcan Archives - Saving Seafood

Mayday at sea: How fishermen rely on distress calls for life-saving help

November 13, 2024 — In the summer of 2021, a mayday call went out from the captain aboard a fishing vessel who needed Narcan to help save a life due to an overdose on board. There happened to be another vessel in the vicinity that was able to respond, and they tossed a box of the over-the-counter drug on board. The captain administered several doses and was able to send his crew member back onshore alive.

While not all mayday calls result in a positive outcome, the use of the mayday distress call is important for fishermen to know.

In a life-threatening emergency situation, fishermen out to sea rely on the mayday distress call system for help. A mayday call informs the United States Coast Guard, local emergency officials and other fellow boaters of the need for help.

Read the full article at The Standard-Times

‘Nothing they could do but listen’: How a death spurred change for a SouthCoast fleet

October 28, 2024 — In the summer of 2021, a Mayday call went out from the captain aboard a fishing vessel who needed Narcan to help save a life due to an overdose on board. There happened to be another vessel in the vicinity that was able to respond, and they tossed a box of the over-the-counter drug on board.

The captain administered one dose, but nothing happened. He gets back on the radio. A second vessel was carrying Narcan and tossed it on board. The captain, after the fourth dose, sent his crew member back onshore alive.

“That day there were three fishermen first responders that saved a life at sea,” said Debra Kelsey, with Fishing Partnership Support Services.

Read the full article at The Standard-Times

Fishermen safety training involves tips on yoga, administering Narcan

July 27, 2018 –Fishing Partnership Support Services aims at focusing on the health and well-being of fishing families in New England. Sometimes that involves aid with health insurance, but Thursday in its New Bedford office at 114 McArthur Drive it meant yoga mats, Narcan and AEDs.

The organization conducted a four-hour CPR and first-aid training certification seminar for those associated with the fishing industry.

“The hard job that fishermen have to do for an extended amount of time really does put them in a risk situation,” safety training coordinator Luis Catala said. “This is a hard to reach, underserved community that really needs these services. That’s why we do our best to make ourselves accessible and bringing training to them.”

The seminar, which ended with those participating receiving CPR certification, covered everything from administering Narcan and EpiPens to dealing with amputated digits as well as performing CPR and using automated external defibrillators (AEDs).

Read the full story at the New Bedford Standard-Times