01/12/2025
🏊🏼♂️ Drownings and near misses can be avoided by swimming between the red and yellow flags on a controlled beach. DO NOT enter the water if you cannot swim. Avoid rip tides - they are deceivingly calm areas of water channels in which the ocean water is carried back out to sea. If someone else is in trouble, call for help from professionals such as lifeguards with appropriate equipment. Do not put yourself in danger! Additionally, ensure you are up to date with first aid and CPR. Commence CPR immediately if assessment via DRSABCD confirms the need to do so. Furthermore, you can download the emergency+ app to pinpoint your exact location when communicating with emergency services.
🪼In recent weeks, a number of blue bottle jellyfish have washed up on the south west coast shores. Tentacles out of the water that appear dry can still cause intense stinging hours after the jellyfish has been beached! Here’s how to best treat blue bottle stings if they do occur: avoid rubbing the stung area, wash off any remaining tentacles with salt water and observe for any allergic reactions. From there, immerse the stung area in hot water (that is tolerable - some studies have shown that 40°C will provide relief after 10 min). Heat is important to kill the proteins in venom. If symptoms persist, are across a large area or in a vulnerable location (face, throat etc), call triple zero immediately.
🏄 Some common water-based trauma injuries occur from using equipment such as surfboards or boating gear. Firstly, consider the context of the situation when deciding treatment required. For deep cuts and bleeding, use T-shirts, clothing or wetsuits to minimise blood loss. Consistently monitor alertness of the individual. Be aware of potential concussion symptoms such as persistent headaches, confusion, vomiting, poor coordination, loss of consciousness. Fractures are common as a result of traumatic accidents. Symptoms such as swelling, severe pain after impact, deformities, inability to weight bear are often related to potential fractures. Additionally, observe for numbness or tingling in limbs and/or loss of motor control for suspected spinal cord injury. Immediately dial triple zero for any serious presenting symptoms.
🔥 Some tips to prevent heat stroke: limit time spent in the sun (
