Dozens of fishermen and fisherwomen descended on Gloucester’s DES Club on Friday to pick up some critical lifesaving tips.
The all-day training conducted by the Massachusetts Fishing Partnership Support Services gathered together fishermen from Cape Ann and beyond to learn about CPR, first aid and the proper use of Narcan for drug overdoses.
The training aimed to teach life-saving skills to assess and treat injured or ill crew onboard fishing vessels at sea before emergency personnel arrive on the scene.
John Roberts, director of the non-profit Safety Training Program for the Fishing Partnership, said the training offered is needed.
“It’s incredibly important,” Roberts said Friday. “The fishermen know they’re going to be here for between six and seven hours learning these skills. This training gives them the skills to save lives.”
Roberts said volunteers with the program worked diligently to get out the word about the training — sending e-mails, texts and talking to many fishermen.
Jim Beauvais with Seaventure out of Rockport said the training is required for commercial fishermen like him. Beauvais pilots the First Lady.
“It’s great,” he said. “The class covers everything you need to know. They’re great.”
The training kicked off with coffee and pastries at 8:30 a.m. Friday and lasted until about 3 p.m.
Event organizer Nina Groppo said the safety training was aimed primarily at fishermen.
“It’s mainly for them but the skills learned can be incredibly important for everyone,” said Groppo. “Obviously, we’re doing this for the fishermen but also the community at large. It’s such a big and important thing. Everyone needs to know about this, especially fishermen.”
Gloucester fisherman David O’Brien owns his lobster boat. He was sitting with a group of young fishermen and fisherwomen at the gathering.
O’Brien said the training eventually becomes intuitive.
“I think it’s very useful,” he said. “When you learn (these skills), you don’t have to worry about it as much. They do a great program.”
Marcus Martin, 19, of Gloucester said the lifesaving skills learned during the training can be used if the need arises.
“You have the knowledge when you’re miles and miles from shore,” Martin said.
Massachusetts Fishing Partnership Support Services is based in New Bedford and has offices in Gloucester, Chatham and Plymouth.
Roberts, a former commanding officer at Coast Guard Station Gloucester, said the organization is dedicated to improving the health, safety and economic stability of fishermen and their families and their communities.
He said the program “is designed by fishermen for fishermen.”
Program leaders offered instruction on patient assessments, CPR, medivac procedures, assessing traumatic injuries, treatment for hypothermia and proper wound care.
In addition, instruction was offered on the proper use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs). AEDs are medical devices designed to analyze the heart’s rhythm and deliver an electric shock to victims to restore the rhythm to normal.
The class also covered the administration of the drug Narcan in the event of opioid overdoses.
“We’re also giving them the tools they need with the first aid kits,” Roberts said.
During the course, fishermen who fulfilled the Coast Guard requirements and became certified in adult first aid and the use of AEDs received a free first aid kit customized for fishing vessels.
Stephen Hagan can be reached at 978-675-2708 or at shagan@gloucestertimes.com.