Preparation and medical follow-up for a single-handed transatlantic rowing race.

Background: A single-handed transatlantic rowing race was organised between Senegal and French Guyana (2600 nautical miles). During the race, rowers adjust their lifestyle to maintain an optimal level of performance. Nutrition, circadian rhythm disturbance, psychological state, pain and other medical problems impact on physical abilities and increase the occurrence of accidents.

Epidemiology of unintentional drowning in a metropolis of the French Mediterranean coast: a retrospective analysis (2000-2011).

Drowning affects more than 500,000 people worldwide and is responsible for at least 350,000 deaths each year. In France, 1235 drowning resulting in 496 deaths were recorded in the summer 2012. This retrospective study has investigated the epidemiology of drowning in the city of Marseille (South of France) between 2000 and 2011.

Ischaemia-modified albumin during experimental apnoea.

Ischaemia-modified albumin (IMA) is a marker of the release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during hypoxaemia. In elite divers, breath-hold induces ROS production. Our aim was to evaluate the kinetics of IMA serum levels during apnea.

Early psychological care of the French victims of the Costa Concordia shipwreck.

Most of the French passengers who survived the shipwreck of the cruise ship Costa Concordia were repatriatedfrom Italy to Marseille, one of the stopovers of the cruise. The shipwreck happened during the nightof 13th-14th January 2012 and entailed the forced evacuation of 4195 passengers and crewmembers.Thirty-two persons died and 2 others are still reported missing.