I was hoping to book a sailing introduction day that is described as suitable for ages 12 - 80 and all abilities. However while I was completing the online booking I came across a statement that they generally won’t take anyone on blood thinners. Well, I’m on aspirin. That’s a blood thinner isn’t it. Hmmm...
I’ll be calling them but interested to learn if this is going to be a lifelong problem for me with other things I might like to do.
Hi willsie. I’d check with the pharmacist/Doc. My understanding is that aspirin is an anti platelet (as is Ticagrelor and Clopidogrel) not a blood thinner (like Warfarin). So it doesn’t ‘thin’ your blood but just stops it clotting. They’re probably worried about an accident that’s away from land and blood that won’t stop. My ability to stop bleeding returned to normal when I stopped Ticagrelor. Sounds like a great thing to do.
An update. Just read this and I was sort of right but Warfarin is an anti coagulant. nhs.uk/conditions/anticoagu...
Some courses like the sailing one will consider aspirin a 'deal breaker' and some won't. It may depend on your dosage and reason for taking it.
I tried to sign up to a wall climbing course a few years ago and they declined me owing to my aspirin intake (but not the reason I take it) as in honesty I did tick the 'do you bruise easily' box. They said my heart things weren't the issue, it was all the people who bruise easily and had sued after the course for 'excessive bruising'.
No one (other than your doctor) knows you better than you do. If you were out on water away from "instant" care, could there be a problem with your "known" health and medication?
If the answer is yes, then you morally and medically have a need to disclose it so the staff can do a competent risk assessment of the risks involved in training you. If the answer is definitely no, but to disclose it could prevent you from doing it - well common sense says ..............I know what I would do.
If you are going sailing in a small boat be aware that you will need to be reasonably nimble, when the boat changes direction you will usually need to change sides fairly quickly?
Hi willsie
Do you mind sharing the name of the Yacht just to see if I can pull up a photo out of interest. I have a 74 year old friend just starting sailing lessons in a Dingy, but a 72ft Yacht sounds good to me lol I have some personal sailing experience but it was on the Victory a long time ago !!
Regards
I'll get it from my wife and let you know.
Angiogram experience
Pharmacy experience 
Experience of A&E
insurance- experience 
Clopidogrel experience
