At around 2.50 pm on Thursday afternoon (25 June 2026), the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) in Bremen received an emergency call: About four nautical miles east of Kellenhusen, a 70-year-old female sailor had been stung by an insect. Her condition deteriorated rapidly; she complained of acute symptoms – suspected anaphylactic shock. Just ten minutes later, the sea rescue team were already on board the yacht. What followed was a race against time. This case shows that anaphylactic shock can affect anyone, and being properly prepared can save lives.
A blessing in disguise
The sea rescue cruiser “Felix Sand” of the DGzRS Station, Grömitz was not far from the yacht in distress. Just ten minutes after the distress call, the rescuers came alongside. Three lifeboat crew members climbed aboard and administered first aid.
The patient’s condition continued to deteriorate – her life was in danger. The decision was made quickly: the woman had to be taken ashore immediately. On board the rescue vessel, the rescuers continued to treat her in the on-board hospital as they made their way to Grömitz at full speed. At around 3.40 pm, they reached the harbour, where the woman was stabilised and handed over to the ambulance service.
The “Helene”, a rescue boat from the Fehmarn Volunteer Station, attended to the sailing yacht, on which the husband was now alone. The rescue crew took the yacht in tow and brought both the boat and its skipper safely to Grömitz.
How can you recognise an allergic shock?
An allergic shock can occur within seconds of contact with the allergen, but it can also take longer to develop – the more rapidly it sets in, the more severe the symptoms tend to be. “Most patients who have an allergy are aware of this,” explains Dr Fabian Steffen, anaesthetist and specialist in emergency and intensive care medicine. Whilst it is possible – though not very likely – for a severe allergic reaction to occur at sea, of all places, without prior knowledge of the allergy, if it does happen, the situation can quickly become serious.
The symptoms often develop rapidly, and it is typical for several symptoms to occur at the same time. In the case of a mild reaction, the skin itches, the eyes water and you feel the need to sneeze. The onset of a severe allergic reaction can be recognised by swelling – of the eyelids, tongue and airways. “If the airways and tongue start to swell, then the situation has really gone from bad to worse,” warns Steffen. The face initially becomes flushed; later, the skin turns pale and breaks out in a cold sweat. In anaphylaxis, a large amount of histamine is released, the blood vessels dilate and blood pressure drops suddenly – this can lead to circulatory collapse.
Medicines for acute life-threatening conditions
Anyone prone to allergic reactions should be prepared – not just on board. Dr Steffen recommends different medicines depending on the severity of the known allergy:
| Mild reactions | Antihistamines (available over the counter at the chemist’s) |
| Moderate reactions | Antihistamines plus cortisone |
| Severe reactions | Plus an adrenaline auto-injector (e.g. EpiPen) |
For people with known severe allergies, the adrenaline auto-injector is indispensable. “Adrenaline stabilises mast cells,” explains Steffen. “That is the desired effect.” During allergic reactions, mast cells release histamine – adrenaline stops this process. The EpiPen should not be stored at temperatures above 25 degrees Celsius and should not be kept in the fridge or frozen. However, fluctuations of plus or minus 15 degrees Celsius (between 10 and 40 degrees) are permissible. The major advantage over ampoules is that the EpiPen is easy for laypeople to use – a crucial factor when every second counts.
First aid for anaphylactic shock
If there are no medicines on board, there are only a few immediate measures that can be taken: if the airways are swollen, cold liquids to drink or gargle with, and ice lollies to suck on, can help – this cools the body from the inside. In the event of a drop in blood pressure, the following applies: place the person in the shock position, lay them down, raise their legs and keep them warm. In all cases, an emergency call must be made immediately. The person must not be left alone, and their vital signs must be monitored.
By the way: For structured assistance in medical emergencies on board, there is the Medical charts by Delius Klasing, which Dr Steffen helped to develop. They contain clear instructions for dealing with life-threatening emergencies, including recommendations on medication – a useful tool when every second counts.
Insect stings are one of the main triggers of anaphylactic shock in adults – in people with allergies, the proteins contained in the venom activate the immune system, which can lead to life-threatening systemic reactions. With a south-westerly wind of force three to four on the Beaufort scale, the operation on 25 June took place under favourable conditions – but time was of the essence. The fact that the “Felix Sand” happened to be nearby probably saved the woman’s life.
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