Shark attack first aid - video

Stu Nettle picture
Stu Nettle (stunet)
Swellnet Dispatch

Knowledge is power, so the saying goes, but in the case of shark attack knowledge can save a life. That's why the crew at Terra Australis made this public service announcement demonstrating the best first aid practices if you are faced with a shark attack situation.

There has undoubtably been an increase in attacks and encounters over the last few years. Terra Australis wants to offer ocean enthusiasts worldwide the opportunity to learn some tips and techniques that could assist them in saving a life if they are faced with this first aid situation.

The theory and information in this video has been endorsed by paramedics that have attended shark attack incidents in Western Australia and we have tried to re-enact this first aid situation to best give viewers a visual representation on how to respond. We are not trying to replace a first aid course, but simply build on your knowledge and provide an insight into what can be done in that situation.

Read more on Terra Australis' Facebook page.

Comments

zenagain's picture
zenagain's picture
zenagain Thursday, 3 Nov 2016 at 10:57am

WTF?

Am i seeing the right vid?

stunet's picture
stunet's picture
stunet Thursday, 3 Nov 2016 at 11:00am

Heh heh...whoops.

Fixed now.

zenagain's picture
zenagain's picture
zenagain Thursday, 3 Nov 2016 at 11:04am

Yep, found it. Fantastic information.

Well done for putting this up.

old grey's picture
old grey's picture
old grey Thursday, 3 Nov 2016 at 6:43pm

Yeah found it good
My question is what about keeping the wetsuit on when your on the beach. If we hopefully never have to go though this i will be making up a first aid kit just for surfing

Bungan33's picture
Bungan33's picture
Bungan33 Friday, 4 Nov 2016 at 9:03am

Good question old Grey. Having done a lot of wilderness first aid as an outdoor guide my call would be to cut it off (if you had anything to do it with) just around the bite. You want them too stay warm as well - so keeping it on, and logistically taking a whole wetty off an injured, shocked person would be pretty hard.
Cutting away lets you see the damage. Would be hard to gauge blood flow on a black wetty and blood may be pooling in the suit without you noticing.
The only reason you may take it off would be multiple wounds which you need to assess. But not sure of the survival odds with multiple bite wounds?? Seems a lot of the latest attacks are one bite then leave.
Im not a paramedic though - so if in doubt or pain persists...see a doctor!

chickenlips's picture
chickenlips's picture
chickenlips Saturday, 5 Nov 2016 at 12:59am

Cull! You South African! Wankers! Cull!

uncle_leroy's picture
uncle_leroy's picture
uncle_leroy Sunday, 22 Apr 2018 at 9:28am

This question might be for those employed in the paramedic industry.
I'm wondering is a tie down such as the Fasty straps, adequate for use as a tourniquet?
Or does it need to be thinner in width to apply more pressure ie: less surface area?
I've thrown one into the back pack over the last few years but maybe need a more dedicated tool?
Cheers

I focus's picture
I focus's picture
I focus Sunday, 22 Apr 2018 at 7:04pm

I carry one of these https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Combat-Application-Tourniquet-Red-Tip-Milita...

Fits for me in the front flap of my suit

In answer to your question any width is fine as long as you apply pressure across the femoral artery (for a leg).