Surfing Doctor on Call
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny
Magdaug and Patti Kishel
Like any sport, surfing carries
risks – from minor cuts and abrasions to life-threatening accidents and
injuries. Getting swift medical attention can make all the difference in the
outcome. And, it helps if the doctor on call is a surfer, too.
Based in Hamburg, Germany, Mischa Göttinger, M.D. got involved with the European Association of Surfing Doctors (EASD) to "elevate the professional development of Surfing
Medicine to keep the surfer healthy and safe."
A surfer himself, Dr. Göttinger notes that "within the EASD I found an inspiring environment where I can contribute my passion, expertise and versatility."
Helping the surfing enthusiast and professional alike, Dr. Göttinger has worked in product development, medical care for pro
sports events, and educating medical personnel and lay persons.
When SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel contacted
Dr. Göttinger we found out that he co-authored the Advanced
Surf Life Support Manual.
Used in the leading surf medicine training course – one developed by the EASD – the support manual covers everything from ocean rescues, drowning, hypothermia and the treatment of wounds to assessing riptides and currents..
Merging medicine and technology, Dr. Göttinger also headed the team that created the Surf First Aid app developed by doctors and lifeguards to give surfers access (via cell
phone) to immediate first aid assistance.
Among its many features, the app rapidly connects to
emergency numbers around the world.
Dr. Göttinger explains, "We believe that nobody should die in
conditions where prevention and first aid could have been the difference
between life and death. We want to build a strong global community of surfing
first responders, ultimately making the ocean, beaches and reefs worldwide
safer for everyone."
To further spread the word on health and safety, Dr. Göttinger is a frequent speaker at international surf medicine
conferences and events – including France, Spain, Portugal, and California.
A graduate of the Ludwig-Maximillian
University of Munich, Germany, and fluent in German, English, French and
Spanish, Dr. Göttinger is well prepared and "board-certified" to
help surfers around the world.
Please post your comment below. Comments
will appear the next day.
Sunny
Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted
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