The European Association of Surfing Doctors (EASD) is once again delighted to announce that:
The ‘4th Annual Surfing Medicine Conference‘ is accredited by the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME) to provide the following CME activity for medical specialists. The EACCME is an institution of the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS). The ‘4th Annual Surfing Medicine Conference’ is designated for a maximum of (or ‘for up to’) 16 hours of European external CME credits.
Through an agreement between the European Union of Medical Specialists and the American Medical Association (AMA), physicians may convert EACCME credits to an equivalent number of AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Live educational activities, occurring outside of Canada, recognized by the UEMS-EACCME for ECMEC credits are deemed to be Accredited Group Learning Activities as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
We are proud to show you the latest video portraying some aspects of “Surfing Medicine”.
Our gratitude to all supporters, contributors, partners, surf med pioneers worldwide, our crew, mother nature, the ocean and the whole surfing community. Keep the surfer healthy and safe!
“As the world’s largest and leading collective of medical professionals in surfing the European Association of Surfing Doctors (EASD) is actively contributing to and defining standards for surfer welfare. By connecting health professionals representing all medical specialties with a passion for surfing and the ocean, the EASD seeks to share knowledge, expertise, and experience with the global surf community. In a fast developing global surf community, the EASD’s quest is to “Keep the surfer healthy and safe” through numerous activities, such as: treatment in day-to-day practice, serving as contest medical personnel in both professional and amateur surfing arenas, delivering training courses for medical lays and health professionals alike (Surf Life Support™), conducting scientific research work and publication, defining evidence-based standards within the specialty and the sport at large, and convening the Annual Conference in Surfing Medicine where health professional from all over the world convene. Share the passion? See you on one of the various EASD events and in the water!”
We are proud to show you the latest video portraying the Advanced Surf Life Support™ course. Hit the play button and dive into this challenging, teaching and fun 7-day-course:
The Advanced Surf Life Support™ course features a wide array of topics, such as rescue techniques, drowning and hypothermia, diagnosis and treatment of wounds, rips and currents to name but a few aspects. Developed by the European Association of Surfing Doctors and refined over the years it is the original and leading course in surfing medicine specifically designed for health professionals. Participants will experience theoretical and practical training as-well as land and water based scenarios by experienced surfing doctors, wilderness medics, drowning specialists, and professional surf-lifeguard instructors. YOU can make a difference – are you ready?
The Pipeline Surf Medicine Conference was organised by Waves of Health in conjunction with the Straub Clinic and Hospital, Honolulu, Hawaii, and took place on Saturday, 6th December 2014.
Medical specialists, including Dr. Clayton Everline MD, and allied healthcare professionals gathered to share their knowledge, experience, and insight, into the treatment and management of conditions commonly affecting surfers. The Conference explored topics such as: The Aging Surfer; Ankle Injuries; Mauli Ola; Trauma and Pre-hospital care; Surfer’s Shoulder; and Knee Injuries.
Note: Video footage from the Pipeline Surf Medicine Conference was kindly provided by Chris Bednarek. The final edit was complied by Bas Bartholomeus for the EASD.
“Preparation is key to staying safe” by Peter Conroy
Developing robust ‘in-the-surf’ safety procedures, like those we employ for fighting fires and tackling other emergencies, has long been a personal goal of mine. Surfing safety is quite new to Ireland, as is surfing. Devising procedures for safety in the surf is, relatively speaking, in its infancy. I am, as are other big wave riders globally, still learning what’s best.
It takes many years to learn to surf capably. You are required to learn many things; when to go, when to wait, and always, to risk assess your situation. Years accumulate before you acquire such skills and any degree of competency. Through my experience as a fireman and a rescue operator in the surf, I have lost and saved many lives. I have worked so hard – to the point of physical exhaustion – in rescue scenarios. And why; what is it that drives rescuers do this? It’s not the money, or glory, nor fame of any sort. It’s the knowledge that they have done everything in their power to save someone’s life. Not simply for their own sake, but also for the family and friends of those involved. There is nothing worse than confronting a lifeless body, after pulling from the water, after working so hard in an attempt to save and revive them. That experience is harrowing. The look on friends faces, the anguished scream of a family member. This is something that stays with you forever, something I would not wish upon anyone.
So picture your friend’s face, perhaps a surf buddy. Now hold onto that image for a moment. Now imagine them gone, drowned whilst you were surfing together. A terrible thought, but now consider, could they have been saved by doing something relatively simple?
Saving someone is the easy part. It happens, and you move on. It’s when you can’t save them, and somebody dies, that remains with you for the rest of your life. Sometimes you blame yourself, ruminating “Did I do everything correctly …Could I have done something different?” If I have learned anything in all my years as a lifeguard, paramedic, fire-fighter, swift water rescuer, big wave surfer, and rescue jet-ski/boat operator, equipped with training and practice in each discipline, it’s that things never happen as you read in the book! When it comes down to the wire and the ‘shit-hits-the-fan’ only hands-on training and practical experience get you through. What’s more, it all comes back to basics.
The first basic principle is self safety! Only when you are safe, can you begin to think about another person. This is often forgotten when accidents happen. The hero inside, that’s yearning to help someone else, ends up throwing their own safety aside in the process. In an emergency, be it in or out of the water, the most important person in a rescue attempt is YOU. Without YOU there is no rescue. Ensure before any attempt to help that you are both physically and mentally capable to do so. You might be required to resist and overcome the casualty, who is most probably in a state of shock or panicking. The victim will not act rationally or sensibly. They may even attack, or in the case of drowning, use his/her rescuer as a ladder, believing this will actually help them escape danger.
Always be prepared by planning ahead. Ask yourself the following questions. Have you taken a CPR class? Do you know how to do in-water resuscitation? What are you going to do once the victim is ashore? Have you called for help? Who’s coming to assist you should you get into difficulty trying to get back to shore? These are essential questions any surfer ought to ask themselves before going to help someone in distress, and in particular when surfing dangerous, often remote, surf spots with challenging access. The more dangerous the surf spots are, the higher the risks associated with them. You have to realistically consider whether you are adequately prepared for these risks. One can never completely remove risk in surfing, but risk can be minimised by preplanning what to do in the event of plausible occurrences, e.g. drowning, a broken back, a broken leg, burst eardrum, lacerations, etc.
Do you have access to a jet-ski? Have you received training and instruction on how to properly operate that ski? Regardless of where you stand on the tow-in versus paddle argument, the jet-ski, when operated by an appropriately trained individual, is a powerful tool to assist rescue. Similarly, and something more immediately attainable, such as a basic lifesaving or first aid course could be the difference between saving and losing a life.
We are blessed that no one has been killed to date on these shores, and that there have been relatively few major injuries. However, with the envelope being continually pushed, and more dangerous surf spots attempted, I fear the luck of the Irish is going to run out before long. When that day comes, I hope all involved can look back and say that they reasonably did everything within their power to save the unfortunate person, or at least give them a fighting chance. The principles of resuscitation and CPR are covered in any accredited basic first aid course. If you fail to prepare, then prepare to fail. There are numerous courses on lifeguarding and first aid held regularly and readily accessible. A lack of skills in dealing with a rescue situation in a dangerous place could quite conceivably lead to a needless death, possibly even that of a friend. As unpalatable as that may sound, it pales in comparison to having to look into the faces of family and friends knowing you did not have the relatively simple skills and training to deal with the situation.
Trust me when I say ‘I have been there’, I have stood in court, in the dock, with a victim’s family looking on, and have been asked whether I did everything that could be done. From the training and courses I have undertaken, both professionally for my job and pursuant to my lifestyle choices in surfing, I believe I have built up the necessary skills and competency to honestly say to that, or any other, family: “I did everything in my power to save your loved one. Everything”
When you go out to surf, it’s not your surfing ability that will save someone’s life. It is your basic life support and basic lifesaving skills and experience in white water that will.
So if your friend wipes out on a wave and comes up face-down in the water, what are you going to do? Knowing the basics could make the difference.
Take time-out from your surfing to learn these invaluable lifesaving skills, professional and recreational surfers alike. There will always be waves for you to play on – Forever. The same length of time you’ll feel responsible if someone dies who could have been saved had you only known how.
Peter Conroy is an EASD Ambassador, big wave surfer, current nominee and former Billabong XXL Finalist (2013). He is a Fireman and Paramedic with Dublin Fire Brigade. Peter is a certified Beach Lifeguard Instructor and jet-ski/rescue boat operator. He is also Chair Person of the Irish Tow Surf Rescue Club. Peter has previously lectured on the topic of Jet-Ski Assisted Rescue and Safety in Big Wave Surfing, and delivered a practical jet-ski workshop, at the Third Annual Conference in Surfing Medicine (2014). He will co-instruct surf lifesaving and rescue techniques at the upcoming ASLS Course 2015 later this year.
“Field Notes from the Pipeline” by Dr.Terry Farrell
2014 World Champion Gabriel Medina Photo Credit: The Guardian
This year’s Billabong Pipe Masters was a very special event for many reasons. The event was held in honor of Andy Irons, who passed away in 2011. It marked a changing of the guard, with Gabriel Medina ushered in as the new world champion and first from Brazil. Julian Wilson of Australia captured the Vans Triple Crown and the Billabong Pipemasters with one of the most exciting final heats in the history of the event.
At 20, Medina was joint tie with Kelly for youngest World Champ every!
But for me, the main reason was that I was able to attend as the emergency physician for the event. The only tricky part was that I had only about a month to get the active Hawaii license and malpractice insurance required to work at the event.
The physicians on the team included Leland Dao, a local physician with 17 years of experience at the event, Spencer Chang (an orthopedist) and me. The staff also included a physical therapist, a massage therapist and a chiropractor.
Pipe Docs! Dr.Farrell (Left)
We had front-row seats for the event and were stationed just up the beach from the water safety tent and clearing area for the jet skis. We were in an ideal position to respond to an emergency as it reached the shore.
Injuries …
The types of injuries we saw included minor lacerations to the face and feet, musculoskeletal strain and sprains, ear complaints such as ruptured TM and otitis externa, one dog bite and one large leg laceration from a fall. The most significant injury, a splenic laceration, happened to a non-competitor on one of the lay days. Three of the competitors had shoulder injuries: two AC joint separations and one dislocation.
Wounded Warrior: Shoulder Injury
Ready & Prepared!
Thankfully there were no cervical spine injuries and no resuscitation needed during the event. We did run a mock scenario on the second day of the competition to test the system and used all of our airway, splinting and immobilization equipment to practice our roles in the medical team and work with the water safety team.
The second day of the contest was amazing. The waves were 15 to 18 feet high and closing into three feet of water overlying an unforgiving jagged coral reef. That is when I realized how talented these surfers are – an impression cemented later that day when Jamie O’Brien and two friends free-surfed on pink foam boards into 15 foot pipeline barrels for fun. This was the day I realized the importance of my preparation for the event. The risks in surfing are real, and the medical preparation has to adjust to the location and intensity of each event. The lessons learned in the ASLS course have direct application whether you are surfing with friends or attending a professional surfing event.
Dr.Terry Farrell
Dr.Terry Farrell is a practicing Emergency Medicine physician and provides medical support for professional surfers at World Surf League (WSL), formerly the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP), contest events. He is Board Certified in Emergency Medicine and Family Practice. Dr. Farrell lectured on the topic of head trauma and traumatic brain injury seen in surfing at the 3rd Annual Conference in Surfing Medicine. He will instruct at the upcoming ASLS Course 2015 later this year.
Professional Medical Support Teams for Athletes
Increasing professionalism in surfing has widespread implications, not only for surfers, but also for the health professionals who look after these athletes at contest events. Dr.Leland Dao discusses this issue and highlights the key role played by medical support teams in the above clip.
After the great success in the previous years we are proud to publicly unveil the Advanced Surfing Medicine Life Support™ (ASLS™) course 2015.
The ASLS™ Course 2015 will progress to a 7-day-course, giving you extra time for more practical hands-on, more life guarding training and more challenging real-life scenarios from
Sunday 3rd – Saturday 9th May 2015
The EASD ASLS™ Course features a wide array of topics with drowning and hypothermia, rescuing techniques, theory about waves, tides & rips, outdoor scene safety and patient assessment, diagnosis and treatment of wounds, marine envenomation, musculoskeletal injuries among others. The participants get practical training by experienced surfing doctors, wilderness medics, drowning specialists and professional surf lifeguarding instructors. They will teach the ASLS™ students how to work with proper medical kits, splint injured extremities, and rescue victims in open water. Participants will also obtain skills for evacuation management among others. You can make the surf safer – you can be the difference!
Grab one of the limited 20 places for the ASLS™ course 2015 now and head to the registration form.
Location: Vila Ana Margarida, Ericeira, Portugal, a 35 minute drive (45 km) from Lisbon airport. (Google Maps)
Aim: To prepare and train health professionals in Advanced Life Support at remote surf locations, and to learn and master basic aquatic life saving rescue techniques.
Course fee: €940
Places: limited to 20 participants
Applicants: Medical Doctors, Allied Healthcare Professionals.
Inquiries: For any questions, comments, or concerns you may have in regards to the ASLS Course 2015 please please do not hesitate to email us: ASLS@surfingdoctorseurope.com
Papa-he-nalu, planches de surf, surfbretter, サーフボード, tablas de surf; call them what you will, it really doesn’t matter: WE LOVE SURFBOARDS. What’s more, wave riding is our passion. So, no matter whether it’s on a mat, your belly, or with a hand plane, keep on doing it!
That’s why we have invited the very best in Irish surfboard shaping and design to the Shapers Forum at the Surfer’s Academy on Saturday 13th September 2014 in The Glasshouse.
Could prenatal hormone levels influence surfing prowess?
Digit Ratio or 2D:4D
The relative length of your second digit (i.e. index finger, 2D) to that of your fourth (ring finger, 4D) expressed as a fraction is known as the digit ratio or 2D:4D. This ratio has been demonstrated to correlate with performance in numerous sports research (1) and is thought to be negatively associated with testosterone, and positively to oestrogen, levels in the developing foetus (2). The relative lengths of fingers are established by the end of the 1st trimester (3) and are stable throughout childhood, puberty, and on towards adulthood. Neither are they influenced by inter-individual maturational variability (4). Therefore, the digit ratio may offer a practical anthropomorphic (i.e. physical body characteristic-derived) marker for performance in surfers.
Lisa Anderson: High Performance Surfing
This is exactly the premise by which Kilduff et al. (5) conducted their study in 2009. They considered the relationship of 2D:4D to performance in 46 male surfers at the 5-star Professional World Qualifying Series competition in Newquay, UK, that year. Experienced surf coaches rated the surfers in terms of overall surfing performance. These ratings were significantly correlated with one another. An overall measure of ability was obtained by calculating the mean of each rating awarded and by taking the final contest placing into account as well.
The science bit…
The mean 2D:4D was: right 0.994 (SD=0.023) and left 0.976 (0.028), the difference was significant. The right 2D:4D (but not left or right–left 2D:4D) was significantly negatively correlated with coaches’ ratings (rS=0.58, r2=0.34, p=0.0001) and the competition result (rS=0.30, r2=0.09, p<0.05) but was not significantly related to either left or right–left 2D:4D. Nor was right 2D:4D significantly related to age, height, or surfing experience.
The surfers’ mass was also negatively correlated with performance (i.e. lighter surfers tended to rate higher), but the observed effect size was moderate (rS=0.32, r2=0.09, p=0.03). Even after removing for mass effect, the right digit ratio was found to remain significantly negatively correlated with surfing performance (rS=0.51, r2=0.26, p=0.0001).
The researchers concluded that, as observed in other sports, an apparent low right 2D:4D (i.e. high prenatal testosterone and low oestrogen) correlated with high surfing ability in male.
So what’s the practical application?
Potentially, coaches may employ 2D:4D as an additional tool to talent select when screening young surfers to further develop to a high standard.
Reference:
Honekopp J, Schuster M. A meta-analysis on 2D:4D and athletic prowess: Substantial relationships but neither hand out-predicts the other. Pers Individ Diff 1: 4–10, 2010.
Manning JT, Scutt D, Wilson J, and Lewis-Jones DI. The ratio of 2nd to 4th digit length: A predictor of sperm numbers and levels of testosterone, LH and oestrogen. Hum Reprod 13: 3000–3004, 1998.
Malas MA, Dogan S, Evcil EH, Desdicioglu K. Fetal development of the hands, digits and digit ratio (2D:4D). Early Hum Dev 82: 469–475, 2006.
Trivers R, Manning JT, Jacobson A. A longitudinal study of digit ratio (2D:4D) and other finger ratios in Jamaican children. Horm Behav 49: 150–156, 2005.
Kilduff LP, Cook CJ, Manning JT. Digit ratio (2D:4D) and performance in male surfers. JStrengthCondRes 25(11): 3175–3180, 2011.
SD=Standard Deviation; rS=Spearman rank correlation coefficient; r2=Coefficient of determination
Although the evidence is limited, Mendez-Villanueva and Bishop (1) find, in their comprehensive review of the literature, that competitive surfers seem to be shorter and lighter than their average age-matched sporting counterparts.
They report that the average height of the 2003 WCT Top 44 ASP ranked male competitors on the world professional surfing tour was 174.7 ± 6.1cm. This is consistent with a previous study reporting an average height of 173.6 ± 5.9cm for 76 international male surfers (2).
Interestingly, these values are less than heights described for elite swimmers (183.8 ± 7.1cm; n = 231) and water-polo players (186.5 ± 6.5cm; n = 190) (3).
Tom Carroll’s famously diminutive stature employed to full advantage during ‘that’ snap under the lip at Pipeline 1991 Photo Credit: Tom Servais
Females display similar trends with the average height of the 2003 WCT Top 17 ASP ranked women surfers at 162.0 ± 4.9cm (152–172cm) (1).
As with males, competitive female surfers are on average shorter than elite swimmers (171.5 ± 7.0cm; n = 170) or water-polo players (171.3 ± 5.9cm; n = 109) (3).
Anecdotally, the stature of top professional surfers appears to be on the increase (4), yet this remains to be scientifically verified. Further research is required to explore whether there is an optimal physiological phenotype for the competitive surfer.
References:
1. Mendez-Villanueva A, Bishop D. Physiological Aspects of Surfboard Riding Performance. Sports Med 2005; 35 (1): 55-70
2. Lowdon BJ. The somatotype of international surfboard riders. Aust J Sports Med 1980; 12: 34-9
3. Mazza JC, Ackland TR, Bach TM, et al. Absolute body size. In: Carter JEL, Ackland TR, editors. Kinanthropometry in aquatic sports: a study of world class athletes. Champaign (IL): Human Kinetics, 1994: 15-54
4. George S. THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS The Big Guys Are Taking Over. SURFER Magazine. [Posted Online July 22, 2010; Accessed August 13, 2014]
Interested? Find out more at the 4th Annual Conference Surfing Medicine, Pays Basque, 29 Sept – 02 Oct 2015! #29to2basque
Note 1: Mark Richards photograph credit; markrichardssurfboards.com
The ‘4th Annual Surfing Medicine Conference‘ is accredited by the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME) to provide the following CME activity for medical specialists. The EACCME is an institution of the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS). The ‘4th Annual Surfing Medicine Conference’ is designated for a maximum of (or ‘for up to’) 16 hours of European external CME credits.
