We Had To Call An Ambulance From Our Boat

Medical Emergency and Recovery

While anchored near shore in England, Nikki developed severe chest tightness, difficulty breathing, wheezing, and pink, frothy mucus. Jason called the UK’s non-emergency health line, 111. The operator sent an ambulance and alerted the Coast Guard.

Because the weather was calm and Nikki was able to move, they decided to reach shore by kayak and meet the responders there. Coast Guard volunteers assessed her before she was taken to hospital.

At the hospital, staff performed an ECG, blood tests, and a chest X-ray. Nikki was diagnosed with pneumonia, given antibiotics and instructions to rest, and told to return if she did not improve. The couple stressed that medical professionals assessed her condition and that their video is not a substitute for medical advice.

They praised the Coast Guard volunteers, ambulance crew, and hospital staff for their attentive care. They were surprised that emergency care—including tests, the hospital visit, ambulance, and antibiotics—was provided without charge to them as visitors. They paid for an Uber ride back.

Medical Preparedness and Getting Ashore

As long-distance sailors, Jason and Nikki carry a substantial first-aid kit, keep medications aboard, and have medical training. Their decision to paddle ashore depended on Nikki’s condition, the calm weather, and their proximity to land. They said they would have accepted a rescue if circumstances had been worse.

They chose a kayak rather than their tender because it launches quickly and is easier to manage around the area’s strong tides. At low tide, the alternative could have meant crossing hundreds of metres of deep mud.

Travel and Local Wildlife

The couple enjoyed a quieter, less expensive visit to Salcombe outside peak season. They explored by kayak and saw tuna leaping near the coast, as well as seals. They also discussed how growing octopus numbers were affecting local shellfish fisheries.

Plans to visit St Michael’s Mount and take part in water activities were disrupted by Nikki’s illness.

Storm and Boat Life

The couple sheltered in a river during the season’s first named storm, with gusts reported around 40 knots. Strong winds shut down their wind turbine, cloud limited solar power, and their generator developed a relay-related fault. While waiting for marina berths to become available, Jason used the engine and alternator to help keep the batteries charged.

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Notable Locations, Products, and People

• Locations and services: Salcombe, St Michael’s Mount, the UK Coast Guard, and the NHS
• Equipment and products: Kayak, tender, PredictWind, Surfshark VPN, Cummins generator, and Mastervolt alternator
• People: Jason and Nikki Wynn