While working aboard the superyacht M/Y O, 25-year-old deckhand James faced an unexpected storm — not in the sea, but within his body.

The Secret Diaries of a Supermedic:

While working aboard the superyacht M/Y O, 25-year-old deckhand James faced an unexpected storm — not in the sea, but within his body.

After a minor cut, that he got from handling ground lines, became a battleground for a severe MRSA infection.

MRSA, a formidable bacteria, often begins as a simple rash, swelling, or a painful area on the skin, resembling an ordinary spider bite or bump.

However, as James discovered, when it doesn't heal, but instead becomes warm, abscessed, or is accompanied by fever, it's a red flag that demands immediate medical attention.

James just thought it was a small infection, due to his immune system being a bit run down after a few back to back charters.

One morning James woke up feeling “sick as a dog”

He had fever, chills and sharp chest pain & he was extremely confused.

On presentation to the hospital they found that James had:

fever and chills

low blood pressure (hypotension)

rapid heart rate

rapid breathing

little to no urine production, or anuria

confusion

He was diagnosed with Bacteremia secondary to MRSA.

Bacteremia means there are bacteria in your bloodstream. It’s a very serious and life-threatening condition that can lead to sepsis and septic shock.

This is the body's overwhelming response to infection. If these situations occur and they aren't or can't be treated, you can die from MRSA.

The doctors believe that cause of the infection, confirmed by blood tests, was probably the polluted water in the port & contaminated ground lines.

James spent 3 weeks in isolation in ICU in Thailand, and was finally able to go back to work.

James now uses gloves to handle ground lines and practices hand washing regularly.