Risk & advise

Please DO:

· Wear protective headgear and suitable footwear, and a lifejacket if necessary.

· Wear a wet suit or suitable warm clothing on the water.

· Bring a change of dry clothing.

· Be on time for briefings, scrutineering and starting.

· Be alert for any announcements of changes or special instructions.

· ……..have a safe and enjoyable day.

Please DON’T:

· Do anything to spoil the day……………..

Acknowledgement of Risks

1. Captains and crew members must confirm that they understand that all competitors :

a. Have a prime duty of care to other competitors, especially when on the water;

b. Must be capable of swimming in cold water - with lifejacket if necessary;

c. Must be physically and medically fit to take part – any significant medical conditions

  should be advised to the Organisers as soon as possible;

d. Are over 18 years – or over 14 and have written permission from their parents;

e. Must agree to behave considerately, and to obey instructions from officials.

  Risk of Disease : Leptospirosis & Weil’s Disease

2. What are these?

  Leptospirosis and Weil’s Disease are both rare, but can be caught by anyone taking

  part in water sports :

a. Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection carried in the urine of animals – often rats. The

  bacteria can survive for days or weeks in fresh water (even moist conditions), but only

  for a few hours in salt water; they cause infection by entering the body through the

  eyes, nose, mouth or skin abrasions.

b. A small percentage of cases also develop jaundice, a serious condition known as

  Weil’s Disease.

3. Prevention.  

  The most useful steps to prevent infection are :

· Cover any cuts and abrasions with waterproof plasters.

· Always use suitable footwear to prevent cutting your feet when in the water.

· Avoid capsize drills or un-necessary swimming in suspect water.

· Shower, or at least wash vulnerable areas, as soon as possible in clean water.

· If in any doubt, consult your doctor as soon as possible.

4. What to look for.

  The usual incubation period is 2 to 12 days. Leptospirosis is often a flu-like illness with fever,

  severe headaches, pains in the back and legs and possibly prostration. Look carefully for any

  signs of the jaundice associated with Weil’s Disease.

5.  What to do.

  Although many people recover in 2-3 weeks without treatment, you should consult your doctor

  if you have any suspicion; you should specifically say that you have taken part in water sports

  and suspect that you might have Leptospirosis. The diagnosis is normally by clinical

  suspicion, as blood tests can rarely confirm the illness in time to effect treatment. Antibiotics

  during the early stages help to limit infection, and specialist advice may be sought from a

  microbiologist at your local hospital.

6. The level of risk.  

  On average 9 people each year contract Leptospirosis through water sports in the UK; the

  chances of infection are therefore very low, and fatalities are virtually unknown. Although the

  deterioration with jaundice into Weil’s Disease is rarer still, Weil’s Disease is a very serious

  illness which must be diagnosed early and treated promptly – death may occur in about 15%

  of untreated cases.