Month: August 2021

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]On August 23rd Ian Rivers, former SAS soldier, touched down at St Marys Harbour, concluding his epic solo unsupported row. Ian has made history becoming the first person to row unsupported from New York to the Isles of Scilly by successfully completing his strenuous challenge.

Ian’s journey was far from plain sailing. He capsized on three occasions, resulting in his vessel Sentinel turning upside down and the cabin filling with water. The numerous storms they endured caused significant damage to the Sentinel; Ian had to repair the steering and construct a new rudder. He lost most of his communication devices, and he could only charge the batteries by using a solar panel. When asked what pushed him through to keep going through the multiple storms and capsizes, Ian responded, “The determination to get to the finish and complete the adventure. They were just daily problems which I dealt with one by one.”

In addition to the substantial damage to his boat, Ian also suffered injuries during his time at sea. In the worst capsize, he hit his head, back and shoulder and sustained several broken ribs and concussion. His full trauma kit, supplied by Safeguard Medical, was vital for attending to his injuries. Ian used the zinc oxide tape to support his broken ribs and dressings to cover his wounds. He also used the burns dressings after the cooker boiled over his legs, and the scissors and head torch were used frequently. For Ian to claim an unsupported row, he was not allowed any assistance. By having his trauma kit on board, he was able to complete the challenge successfully and safely entirely solo. Ian commented, “It was great to have the equipment which is easy to use and helped to speed the recovery up. It eased any worries I had about recovering from the injuries and allowed me to concentrate on rowing.”

Ians’ time in the Special Forces fired his passion for pure navigation. He spent 27 years in the military, including serving with the SAS and became a trained mountain guide and ocean yacht-master, navigating all the world’s major mountain ranges, deserts, and oceans. This extensive training prepared him for his row. Ian commented, “It gave me the resilience to know that problems could be solved and the patience to know that you needed to wait, to think and then work through them.” The most challenging aspect of the journey for Ian was the isolation. Even though Ian does not like being on his own, he spent 85 days at sea without communication or assistance, demonstrating his extraordinary ability and strength of character.

Ian’s Special Forces background and commitment to the Armed Forces is honourable and is the reason why Prometheus Medical sponsored his incredible challenge. Prometheus Medical (Part of Safeguard Medical) has years of experience supporting the military with elite medical training. Prometheus also supports major industrial, private companies, individual clients, emergency responders and charitable organisations.

The record-breaking row not only raised money for the Special Air Service Regimental Association (SASRA) and St Michael’s Hospice in Hereford, but it also raised awareness of the mental health challenges facing serving and veteran personnel. Prometheus Medical is proud to have sponsored Ian on his record-breaking journey and supplied him with a full trauma kit to ensure he could complete his journey as safely as possible.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″][et_pb_post_slider _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” include_categories=”all” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][/et_pb_post_slider][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]It’s been four weeks of unbelievable excitement here at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, and as one of the Team GB HQ Doctors based at the OLV (Olympic Village), it has been a great privilege to have been involved.

This is my second Olympics following my role as Chief Medical Officer for Team GB’s Prep Camp at Rio 2016, and I have also experienced the last three Commonwealth Games working with my home country, Team Scotland.

The OLV is a fantastic place. With over 9,500 athletes and staff passing through, things were different from pre-COVID times but still a lively, buzzing atmosphere. Most counties bring their own national branding to decorate the outside of the accommodation blocks. Here you can see Team GB’s section, but all countries bring a slice of home with them.

The OLV overlooked Tokyo Bay with stunning views. The high temperatures and humidity were very intense and more so for the athletes. For that reason, the marathon and 20/50-kilometre race walk events were transferred up to Sapporo, in the north of Japan, where the climate was cooler. However, the open-water 10-kilometre swim was held back in Tokyo Bay, where the water temperature was 30.5°C!

My role was to directly support the more minor sports that did not have their own medical teams, being the on-duty doctor in the OLV and supporting bigger medical teams on some of the busier sports. I worked on a fantastic mix of sports such as Canoe Slalom, Boxing, Cycling (Mountain Biking and BMX) and Shooting.

First, I travelled down to Izu in Shizuoka prefecture, home of the Olympic Cycling Village. I was glad to find the stunning scenery did not stop upon leaving Tokyo, with breathtaking breakfast views. Fuji-san is incredible on a clear day and is still partially snow-capped even in the summer.

Big drops on the mountain biking course with Evie Richards and Tom Pidcock of Team GB showing us the way. My Prometheus Medical kit is always on standby to manage any injuries the athletes were exposed to on a technically challenging mountain bike course.

Next week, I was with BMX Racing – eight very powerful athletes competing against each other on eight very small bikes! It’s not unusual to see crashes as the race goes on, as competitors try to get into prime position for each turn. My medical gear is always with me, despite the fact the Japanese Field of Play teams were also present, just in case of a severe injury to one of our athletes.

Thankfully, Team GB got away without any injuries. Still, the current Olympic champion, a USA cyclist, was involved in a nasty collision, and he ended up in intensive care after a minor bleed on the brain. I always have my Prometheus Medical trauma bag close at hand, which contains most of the essential immediate care medical equipment that is necessary when I cover these sports. The mechanism of injury may be different, but the principles of immediate care management remain the same.

Next, it was on to BMX Freestyle – jumps, twists, turns and some serious height! Riders faced injuries such as broken collarbones, collisions with a marshal as well as having heavy rain to contend with.

Just some of Team GB’s star athletes – Silver and Gold for Team GB on BMX: Kye Whyte 🥈and Beth Shreiver 🥇 plus Gold for Charlotte Worthington too! 🥇

Then quickly over to the canoeing events. Some serious feats of strength against the water to make it through the obstacle course here.

Now back to Tokyo, where the lights are dimmed before the Women’s 100m sprint final. Ten seconds later, we were celebrating a Jamaican triumph with Bronze, Silver and Gold! Although members of the public are not allowed to spectate this year, the other athletes still made for a fantastic audience and atmosphere.

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