name: Mark Gatty Saunt

Near-special burns unit experience at sea

23 July, 2006

The other day, a small group of us went out in a friend’s boat for a spot of sundown wakeboarding.

We stopped off at the floating marina petrol station in Dubai Marina and filled ‘her’ up to the brim with the juice.

All appears to be normal when ‘she’ stalls about 20 meters or so from the floating petrol station. So my friend turns the engine over several times but nothing.

On about the fifth attempt at starting ‘her’ up again, there is an explosion, and below-the-knee-height flames come out of every gap inside the boat (from the front and the back).

Within two seconds, without even having time to shout “abandon ship”, all four of us where naturally over the side, startled, burnt and treading water in the marina.

Next there is an even bigger bang, at which point we all duck under the water and when we surface, the boat is pouring out grey smoke and it stinks of burning plastic.

A marina security boat comes burning up to the scene and tells us to start scooping water into the boat (a really wise idea with a petroleum fueled fire!). We refuse, so he backs his outboard engine near the boat and starts churning water up and into it. Then another boat comes onto the scene with CO2 extinguishers and thankfully begins to put out the fire.

We drag ourselves out of the water and onto the dock of the floating petrol station, all with legs and feet burning and not a hair to be seen from the knees down.

We’re still not sure what created the explosion but the local fire department is investigating.

Posted by dr.winkle 15:20 | Sport | Comment(12) | Permalink

26 Grueling Miles

07 December, 2005

Dr.WINKLE will be taking part as a competitor in the Dubai Marathon on 6th January 2006. And he is hoping to finish in under four hours.

I know, what a ridiculous time of year for such an event. How is one supposed to stay in shape whilst indulging in Christmas and New Year celebrations?

Anyway, please have the generosity to sponsor him for his efforts. All proceeds will go towards his chosen charity, Climb (www.climb.org.uk), which deals with children living with inherited metabolic diseases.

Father Christmas will be monitoring this charity website (www.justgiving.com/markgattysaunt) and anyone that doesn't sponsor this guy will be getting a very special suprise from Rudolf (in a sack) on Christmas morning.

Donating through the aforesaid site is simple, fast and totally secure.

Thank you very, very much for your support.

Posted by dr.winkle 00:38 | Sport | Comment(2) | Permalink

Marathons and Sore Nipples

29 November, 2005

During a booze infused evening back in early September this year, I made an outburst that my nipples are living to regret. I declared that that I was going to run the 2006 Dubai marathon, taking place on January 6th.

Firstly, for most people of western origin (London being my home city), this is a ridiculous time of year to hold a marathon. How is one supposed to indulge in Christmas and the New Year celebrations, whilst trying to train for a 26 mile race?

Anyway, I am usually a man of my word and I see this as a challenge, so here it is in writing, I will be taking part in the 2006 Dubai marathon.

Anyway, there are more hurdles to this marathon training than meets the eye. Forget about the lack of breath; the aching limbs; the blisters; and the bruised toe nails. What you really need to worry about is sore nipples.

Since reaching puberty, my nipples have always stood to attention, as if someone has just brushed an ice cube over them. They are permanently erect.

Now, as part of any marathon training program, one has to run several 20 mile training runs, to build up distance endurance. So last week, I had the painful pleasure of joining the Dubai Creek Striders running club on a 20 mile run around Dubai.

We met at 6am on Friday morning (which forced me to stay in on Thursday night). It was still dark, but I could just about make out men and women rubbing something onto their nipples (and I though I was here to run).

We set off and as the sun came up, I soon realised I was running with about 50 people, all dressed in the same 'club' vests and wearing too much spandex!

By the end of the 20 miles, my nipples were on fire from chaffing against my top. And following the run, I had to convert various t-shirts, by cutting small slits for my nipples to poke out (air and repair). Post the run, these t-shirts had to be worn for about four days before I could go back to wearing conventional tops.

So take my advice, if you ever decide to train for a marathon, lube up those nips, or it's t-shirt slits!

I have been told Vaseline does the trick.

Posted by dr.winkle 23:12 | Sport | Comment(16) | Permalink