Following the flight, you’ll probably
feel a little bit dry. Some travellers have
experienced significant mucus build-up, so
have those tweezers at the ready.
Of course, one of the big advantages of
going abroad is the climate. Assuming
you pick somewhere hot that is. Many lary
travellers find that their breathing is so
much better in a hotter, drier atmosphere.
It can help stop all those secretions too. In
sort, it’ll do you a world of good and leave
you feeling better than you’ll have felt for a
long time.
And remember, even if you haven’t flown
since your laryngectomy, lots and lots of
larys do it every year. Mostly without even
giving it a second thought. So, where do
you want to go?
?
Sea survival aid for larys
by Rob Cornish
an offshore lifejacket alone does not
prevent water ingress into the stoma (I
should know – I’ve tried it!) and while the
Larkel is approved by NALC for swimming
in a controlled environment, it cannot be
deployed in this kind of environment; nor
can it be removed quickly.
I’ve only been a laryngectomee for
a couple of years, but I’ve been a
recreational sailor for over 45 years!
Following my retirement, my wife and I
spent nine years and covered 21,000 nm as
‘live-aboard’ cruisers. It was only later that
I was diagnosed with cancer of the throat,
and then had a laryngectomy in May 2009.
We are now slowly returning to life afloat,
albeit restricted to coastal, daytime sailing.
A major concern, however, is how to avoid
drowning in the event of falling into the
water. This could happen quite easily
during a dinghy transfer for example, or
even stepping to or from the shore. Using
With the help of some professional friends,
I have had a prototype breathing device
constructed that fits into a standard
Provox adhesive base plate and allows
the wearer to breathe through his/her
nose via a conventional snorkel tube and
diving mouthpiece. It is not a swimming
aid per se, but is intended to be used in
conjunction with an offshore lifejacket. It
will only function so long as the base plate
remains glued to the skin.
We believe this device can give the wearer
precious additional time to reach the shore,
boat or dinghy safely in the event of falling
into the water. Of course there is still scope
for making improvements; I’m just not sure
that sufficient numbers exist to warrant
further development at this stage.
? Continued page 27
Autumn 2011 | THE VOICE
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