Big off in the desert best hospital for help in Morocco. Snapped collar bone.

[patdavey78]

Hi guys,

Had a big off yesterday in the desert Mezouga. Currently trying to sort out transport. Have clean snapped the collar bone in half.

Any ideas much appreciated.

Regards

Patrick

[TheWarden]

Hi Pat, hope your ok. A quick look on my gps says the nearest hospital is Er Rachidia

Might be worth asking in Erfoud for a Doctor or similar so they could point you towards the best option. I guess Ouarazazate Hostpital could be bigger.

I used a Moroccan Hospital a couple of years back for some acholohol induced repairs and they were very efficient at stitching me back together

[Peter Girling]

Hi Patrick,

The nearest big full blown hospital is in Ouarzazate but for a straight forward collarbone fracture, one of the nearer clinics should be able to provide the care you need.
There's a hospital in Erfoud on the left side of the main drag heading north. There are several good hotels in town so possibly some private clinics too.
If you're staying in a hotel/auberge, the staff should be able to get you to the most appropriate location.

For information, the hospital in Ouarzazate dealt superbly with a heart attack for a friend of mine. The UK doctor flown out by his insurers said the care was first class.

Good luck,

Peter

[patdavey78]

Originally Posted by TheWarden

Hi Pat, hope your ok. A quick look on my gps says the nearest hospital is Er Rachidia

Might be worth asking in Erfoud for a Doctor or similar so they could point you towards the best option. I guess Ouarazazate Hostpital could be bigger.

I used a Moroccan Hospital a couple of years back for some acholohol induced repairs and they were very efficient at stitching me back together

Went to Er Rachidia lsat night i think. Was in Ambulance for about 2 hours. The medical help was non excitant. Ive still not had any drugs. They tried for an hout to to reset bone. Man in Ambulance btought me back to Rassiidia. My girlfriend is out now trying to find drugs. The xray they took is not to good but sent it to my medical friend back home and she said it looks like a surgery job.

Its been 30 hours since i did it. 2 bikers are collecting my bike now from the desert. ( bike looks good) i was doing about 90km/h when it happened. face plant into the dune face after clipping a grass tuft in the sand. Currently in massive pain so spelling not the best.

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[Peter Girling]

I'd head for Ouarzazate. If your contact says you need medical attention you need to get there soonest.
Have you strapped up your shoulders? (Used a figure of eight to pull my shoulders back when I bust my collar bone but a straightforward sling may do for now.) You should have a medic do this.

Take paracetamol and or ibuprofen for the pain. Watch the dosage on the paracetamol.

Peter

[Walkabout]

Originally Posted by Peter Girling

If your contact says you need medical attention you need to get there soonest.

That's the crux of the matter: I bust my shoulder a few years ago and used up two weeks of time before surgery was performed - this is not recommended at all.

[Tim Cullis]

I carry co-codamol for serious pain relief, you should be able to get this from a pharmacy. Ideally get the strongest which is 500/30 (500mg paracetamol and 30mg codine phosphate). They also come in doses as low as 500/8 but you would probably appreciate as much codine as possible.

If the pharmacy doesn't know what you are talking about, mention Prontalgine.

Take two tabs immediately then try to space them so you don't take more than eight over 24 hours. Paracetamol causes liver damage in large doses, and codine can be addictive if you continue for more than a few days. If you are returning to Australia via Dubai or similar, check on codine prohibitions!!

If you can't get co-codamol you can take combined maximum doses of paracetamol together with maximum doses of an NSAID such as Ibuprofen, Asprin, etc.

When I broke my collarbone, the main problem was the two ends grating against each other and my arm was bound very closely to the body just above the elbow with a pad in the armpit to act as a fulcrum.

.

[patdavey78]

Originally Posted by Tim Cullis

I carry co-codamol for serious pain relief, you should be able to get this from a pharmacy. Ideally get the strongest which is 500/30 (500mg paracetamol and 30mg codine phosphate). They also come in doses as low as 500/8 but you would probably appreciate as much codine as possible.

If the pharmacy doesn't know what you are talking about, mention Prontalgine.

Take two tabs immediately then try to space them so you don't take more than eight over 24 hours. Paracetamol causes liver damage in large doses, and codine can be addictive if you continue for more than a few days. If you are returning to Australia via Dubai or similar, check on codine prohibitions!!

If you can't get co-codamol you can take combined maximum doses of paracetamol together with maximum doses of an NSAID such as Ibuprofen, Asprin, etc.

When I broke my collarbone, the main problem was the two ends grating against each other and my arm was bound very closely to the body just above the elbow with a pad in the armpit to act as a fulcrum.

.

Thanks Tim,

My girlfriend came back with what your just said to use. I had some but it was strapped to my handle bars in my first aid kit on the bike that was still out there.

Ive strapped it up and it feels better. I might do what you said and put some padding under my arm and strap it tight against my body. The sling is still allowing to much movement.

Thanks guys for the quick replies.

Regards

Patrick

[chris]

Hey Pat
If you do head for Oazzazate, then, as already mentioned on fb, Peter Buitelaar at Morocco Offroad Motorcycle Tours - Bikershome Tours Morocco would I'm sure help with translating/ sorting bike customs issues etc. He's a good bloke.

Good luck
Chris

[Tim Cullis]

Peter Buitelaar has just returned to Spain, won't be back in Morocco for four weeks. Peter Grey at Wilderness Wheels might help if he's not on tour. Coming from the east, as you enter Ouarzazate , turn right at the first set of traffic lights , they are 50m on the right.

Your bike is an issue. It's possible to leave Morocco without it and return later, but you need to get the bike to a customs office and leave it with them. There's a customs office at Ouarzazate airport. The redacted image below shows the sort of document I had to complete when I left my bike at Ouarzazate.



As an alternative it will theoretically be possible for someone else to take the bike out of Morocco without you being present, but again visit the customs in Ouarzazate first to get the paperwork and the douanes computer system sorted beforehand.

.

[patdavey78]

Originally Posted by chris

Hey Pat
If you do head for Oazzazate, then, as already mentioned on fb, Peter Buitelaar at Morocco Offroad Motorcycle Tours - Bikershome Tours Morocco would I'm sure help with translating/ sorting bike customs issues etc. He's a good bloke.

Good luck
Chris

I still cant believe you got up and walked away Chris!!!!! If I do have to get opp im thinking ill head to UK as i have heritage visa. Might come visit and finish off that bottle we did not get the chance to.

Tim thanks again for your info. How long did it take your collar bone to stop grinding.
Im all strapped up and it currently feels like its all in the right place but im lying down on a bed.
We head off for Ouarzazate in a couple hours by bus.

cheers

Patrick

[chris]

Originally Posted by patdavey78

I still cant believe you got up and walked away Chris!!!!! If I do have to get opp im thinking ill head to UK as i have heritage visa. Might come visit and finish off that bottle we did not get the chance to.

Tim thanks again for your info. How long did it take your collar bone to stop grinding.
Im all strapped up and it currently feels like its all in the right place but im lying down on a bed.
We head off for Ouarzazate in a couple hours by bus.

cheers

Patrick

I have to pinch myself too! Deffo come for a visit if you're in the UK. Hope you get your injury sorted.

[navalarchitect]

Patrick,

Just read your posts.

I'm the Aussie biker you met just north of Meknes a few days ago. By coincidence I'm currently in Ouarzazate for the night before heading to Merzouga area over next couple of days. I'll PM you my phone number. If there is anything I can do to help out give me a call.

Martin

Sent from my GT-P3110 using Tapatalk

[Tim Cullis]

My collar bone incident was 50 years ago in non-tech times (similar to Morocco maybe?). Once I was strapped up professionally most of the pain went. I was told I would never be able to carry a rucksack again (wrong) but have a definite hump when the two sides didn't knit together so well.

[patdavey78]

Originally Posted by navalarchitect

Patrick,

Just read your posts.

I'm the Aussie biker you met just north of Meknes a few days ago. By coincidence I'm currently in Ouarzazate for the night before heading to Merzouga area over next couple of days. I'll PM you my phone number. If there is anything I can do to help out give me a call.

Martin

Sent from my GT-P3110 using Tapatalk

Hi Martin,

Made it to Agadir. Was a long day in the bus but my mate is just about to take me to hospital and sort insurance out.

I got your pictures thank you so much for helping and covering up the bike.
Tim thank you i got my bike sorted with customs have the same form as you showed me. Ive made the tough chose to head home get this sorted then return when im strong again ang continue the trip.

Chris what are your plans you want to ride to Cape town in 4 months???? also going to change that giant loop bag and get something like you had. What brand was your duffle bag?

Again a massive thank you to everyone that has helped out over the last couple of days. It shows how us bikers do really stick together in times of need.

Many Thanks

Patrick

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