Amazon Swim (Martin Strel)
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DURING FEB 1 - APR 08, 2007 MARTIN STREL SWAM 5,268 KMS (3274 MILES) OF THE AMAZON RIVER! HE DEDICATED THE SWIM TO THE PROTECTION OF THE RAINFOREST.

Medical Report 01

DAY ONE

February 1, 2007

Today there were no injuries or any other medical problems. Martin BP at the start of the swim was 155/95. He said that he felt good but was also anxious. His weight was 114 kg. He swam 39 km during the first half of the day. In the evening, and 102 km of swim his pressure was 142/98. He had also lost 2 kg of weight.

DAY TWO

February 2, 2007

No major medical events today. Martin is doing well. His BP has come down significantly. The morning measurements were: BP 146/92, weight 113 kg. The evening vital signs: BP 120/88, HR 74, and weight 112 kg. He lost 2 kg all together for the last two days. He got some first degree sun burns of his face which were treating it.

One of the film crew members had some nausea during the night which was relieved with hydration. The medical team completed thorough medical histories and brief physical examination of each team member. The basic information recorded are BP, HR, RR, Weight and Height, and any major changes on physical examination.

Rifat and Mateja visited the town of Bolognese and met many children, one among them loudly wheezing and ill appearing.

Today we set up the mobile telemedicine unit of General Devices. It is working well, however we are now waiting for higher bandwidth connectivity.

DAY THREE

February 3, 2007

Martin is doing very well. He finished the third day and swam 114 km. He has no injuries, although has been swimming among the trees and debris flooding the River.

Last night we were docked at the village of Fatima, population of 205. Mateja and Rifat visited the village that like other villages around the River was miserably poor. One of the houses in a village serves as a clinic. Doctor Jorge Pastor is a general practitioner who graduated in Lima in 1991 and works in the village permanently. He lives in the small room of this open house elevated on woods to prevent flooding. He runs the communication unit as well. Prices for the examination were posted on the wall.

This afternoon the medical team attended seven children with conjuctivitis in the village of Iparia where we are docked for a night.

DAY FOUR

February 4, 2007

Martin is feeling well in the morning. No fog, only sun today – therefore sunburns are likely to be the main medical problem.