Is anybody doing this while on blood thinners and if so what precautions are you taking if any?
Having some issues and have been put on a nasty blood thinner. I am thinking I may have to forget learning wing foiling as a deep cut from the foil could be problematic. So I was wondering if there are others in this situation that have been foiling with relative safety. Road and MTB cyclists have to be cautious and I can surf and SUP so I can still have some pleasure at least.
Depends on the blood thinner. If its Warfarin at a high dose you might be at a little risk, but most of the other ones just slow down your clotting a little and whilst you might bruise a little more easily its unlikey a simple cut will result in life threatening bloodloss. Maybe just make sure to wear a full wetsuit and booties and helmet etc and get into it. If you get a cut come in and put pressure on it for a while longer than usual and you should be fine.
I've been on 2 blood thinners for 20 years or so. I have to keep INR between 2.5 - 3.5. I try to keep it below 3.0 to reduce bruising. My answer is that, if you keep foil edges smoothed off, you don't get cut. But, to be sure, I do as Slyde says and keep well covered. (I'm from SA and need a steamer and booties all year round - booties as much for rocks as anything.) I also carry wrapping bandage or duct tape, in case of cuts. However, because the primary problem is ticker, I ALWAYS push a bottle of Nitrolingual down my wettie, in case of angina!
Some great suggestions above. perhaps helmet, impact vest, wetsuit would reduce any risk of blunt force trauma. Maybe consider carrying a tourniquet for any significant lacerations that need to be dealt with quickly. Also having some people to go with that understand how they can assist you if required .
During the hot months you should wear a farmer john type wetsuit and booties to protect your knees and feet while keeping you relatively cool. Stay away from shorty wetsuits.
DC
I use Lixiana and open wounds heal/close fast and unspectacular. Also had mountain bike crashes and nevertheless I have to stop medication before a surgery, I feel quite safe and concernes have come down since I started needing it 3 years ago.
Thanks for the replies. At least there are a few people out there still having a go. Some good info above and some common sense might keep me relatively safe. Cardiologist doesn't agree though.
I have seen scrapes and minor cuts but only a few deep cuts (online).
Also hitting the head I have to go to emergency from now. Wearing a helmet from now on.
I've been on Ratsak (warfarin) for 20 years now. I haven't gone down any of the new drug routes as I liked the supposed "reversibility" of warfarin if I was to have a big off on the MTB, moto, snowboard or anything else. With this in mind my original specialists did agree to keep my INR between 2 and 2.5.
Given I went on the thinners at 18, this was pretty important to me, but with these theoretical safety nets I haven't stopped doing any of the things I have wanted to do on land, snow or water. including learning to foil.
I do like some of the safety suggestions that have been put forward above, but I personally have never taken any, just tried to be as sensible as I can, while still enjoying myself.
