getting old sucks

I was wondering if any of you have been on a blood thinner drug like Coumadin and fished saltwater while on it.  The doctors are most worried about a head injury, so as soon as they hear KAYAK they assume shooting down a boulder strewn river.   I understand the legal world we live in, so they need to cover their arses, but it seems like launching from calm, sandy beaches would not be an issue.  Good gloves should protect the hands from deep cuts.  Other than the drug for recovery everything else checks out.

not looking for legal, medical advice, just any personal experiences you have had. 

Hi Yaker

  For what it's worth! I'm not saying you need to quit but I hope you have  a VHF, first Aid kit and go out with a Buddie. I can't Skin Dive in cold water because of Arterhritis. Seem like sometimes the side effects are worse that the ailment.
                                                                                          Life is BitterSweet!
                                                               
 A quote from http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-4069-Coumadin+Oral.aspx?drugid=4069&drugname=Coumadin+Oral

"This medication can cause heavy bleeding. To lower the chance of getting cut, bruised, or injured, use great caution with sharp objects like safety razors and nail cutters. Use an electric razor when shaving and a soft toothbrush when brushing your teeth. Avoid activities such as contact sports.

If you fall or injure yourself, especially if you hit your head, call your doctor immediately. Your doctor may need to check you."

Injury can happen anytime; anywhere. As long as you are prepared for the worst I think anyone can do anything relatively safely.
By prepared I mean REALLY prepared. Be able to give yourself first aid immediately. Just having a kit does not make you prepared. Know what is where and how to use it.
If you are most concerned with rapid blood loss you may want to look into carrying some of this in your first aid kit.
http://www.z-medica.com/quikclot/index.asp
Be careful, but definitely do not be too cautious. Are you going to have someone else open the mail in fear of a paper cut? I don't think so.
Enjoy yourself, be yourself. Just be ready in case something bad does happens.
Always have a VHF radio with FRESH bateries too.
Oh yea, don't forget. OLD GUYS RULE!!!!

Hi Tote:

 Thanks for the heads up, I plan on buying some Quikclot for my Car, Yak and Home.
                                                                                                       Ernie

I would encourage you to fish every chance you get; be prepared but not deterred. I work as a paramedic, and I frequently see people with cuts that won't clot normally, and we often find coumadin to be the culprit. Having said that, these people are bleeding, not dying. A bit of direct pressure, and off to the hospital for stitches. These patients do just fine. It means you should carry along dressings and bandages, and try to fish with someone who can help if you need it.

Best wishes,

Paul

Hello e2g,

Based in my experience as an OR nurse at a trauma center, I agree with tallpaul. Being on Coumadin will increase your bleeding times, but for the usual minor cuts and scrapes direct pressure is the key. You will find that you will bruise much easier than you are accustomed to. I would imagine that after a typical day of yak fishing you will find that you end up with an interesting collection of bruises that you would not otherwise develope. The underlying reason for taking the new medication may be of more concern. Typically coumadin is used to treat heart arrhythmia like A-Fib or for blood clot (DVT) prevention. I would think that if you are being treated for DVT, sitting on a kayak for extended periods would be of greater concern. Watch your diet(yes the green vegetable thing is for real), go with a buddy, and have a good time.

Bill

As a former ER doctor, I can appreciate a doctor's concern when someone on Coumadin is exposed to a greater risk of trauma, especially to the head.  Getting bruises in muscle is altogether different from bleeding in the brain. The skull leaves little room for swelling or expansion and knocking neurons out can cause a lot more problems than swelling some muscle tissue. Of course injury can happen anytime, anywhere, but I think it's naive to think we don't increase our risk of injury in this sport.  It's a calculated risk.  I would think it would be especially important to go with a buddy, have a vhf radio and consider avoiding the more remote areas where rescue might be difficult or delayed.

I would agree with Bill that if you are being treated for DVT, prolonged sitting in cold weather might present a risk, but of course that's what the coumadin would hopefully protect you from.

WOW!

I was expecting a few, "I used coumadin, fished and lived" stories to make myself feel better.  But I dont know, ER, Paramedic, Trauma Center, kinda light on experience

I have A-fib, was getting worse and when I pushed it in exercise was getting up over 230 beats so they did an ablation.  Im on the coumadin for 3 months as insurance.  Hopefully after that Im free of this stuff.  When the doc asked what I do for fun, he said no mountain biking, no road biking, no kayak fishing and I was seriously bummed.  While I can understand the no biking clause as I have hit the ground a few times, it seemed fishing cautiously would be OK.

I always use a radio, will carry some extra dressings and some tape if I need pressure while paddling.  Definitely looking into Totes clotting stuff for the big cut if I have one.  beyond that, I agree that it is wise to stay away from remote sites and really rocky or dangerous launches and to not go out alone.

this board never ceases to amaze me both with the openess of the participants and the quality of the answers

thanks
Eugene

Hi Eugene,

If you need a volunteer to fish with you, I could make the sacrifice and would even dress your wounds if needed (as long as my fish are already on ice)  just kidding.  But seriously a trip out of say Coral St or MBK should be easy and safe.  I would be more concerned about say Monastery or Lime Kiln with respect to potential for head injuries.  Tote's recommendation sounds good too as I have never fished and not got at least one hook in my finger or rockfish spine.  You just have to promise no big cuts such as tooth marks  .  Let me know when. 

Just a follow up in case some other person has this issue of coumadin restrictions.  After waiting for a month and a half, I woke up saturday 9/14 to a beautiful sunny day, no wind, flat seas and could not stand it anymore.  So loaded up the yak and headed for coral street, a safe launch site, easy to come back if there are issues.  Had some dressings, duct tape and extra cord.  Radio, GPS, etc.  I should have set up a buddy, but it was literally a last minute deal.  I did see a few others out, and a few boats, so figured go for it.

fishing was decent, lots of dinks, but nice to get some fresh fish for tacos. 

What I have noticed is that things still scab over, it just takes longer.  I forgot to put my gloves on for one fish, and the cut that normally would be a non issue is just a bit 'gummy' for a while.  As some in this thread talk about, you end up with some weird bruises but nothing serious.  I never noticed that I drop the kayak on my shoulder when loading but the bruises dont lie!

I also started riding my mountain bike on fire roads, that keeps me away from the cars, no wicked decents or single track. 

I guess the bottom line is that I am most likely to get a head injury driving to work, and I didnt stop that, so use some common sense, avoid the seriously nasty stuff and get on with life.

Sounds despite having to be aware of yourself more and trying to make some minor lifestyle changes you are still out there. Quality of life! You are still out being able to do the things you enjoy and living for youself.

-Brian G

Hey eugene

Life is full of calculated risks. I wear a helmet in the surf zone which is a good thing, IMO. Common sense is another thing that can't be overlooked. If conditions don't look good, go home and fish another day. I think the worse thing you can do is let getting old and medical conditions keep you from living life to it's fullest. When I die, I hope it is on my yak with a rod in one hand and a ling in the other. This should not be taken as medical advice of course. Let me know if you need someone to fish with. 

Scott

6.8?  I hit the high 3s and was ready to call in the guards.  Definitely coming around to your way of thinking Sir bluekayak,

after all if you cant do the things that make you feel alive, whats the point?