PORT Stephens is about to get a little bit safer for surfers and swimmers with accredited boardrider clubs receiving trauma kits through a new safety program initiative with every accredited surf school and boardriders club in NSW receiving new trauma and first aid kits.

All 15 New South Wales boardrider clubs have been presented with state-of-the-art trauma first aid kits as part of a collaborative project between Surfing NSW and the NSW State Government.

Advertise with News of The Area today.
It’s worth it for your business.
Message us.
Phone us – (02) 4981 8882.
Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au

The presentation coincided with the Australian Boardriders Battle final at Newcastle Beach.

The custom kits, which are designed for use in the event of an immediate, life-threatening trauma incident were designed in collaboration with Surfing NSW staff, and include equipment to deal with immediate trauma, bleeding control, hypothermia, fracture management and minor wounds.

“Surfers are often the first to respond to surf-zone incidents at unpatrolled or regional beaches and in many of these cases, every second counts,” said Matt Lawson, Surfers Rescue 24/7 Coordinator at Surfing NSW.

“Providing these specialised trauma kits and training across 190 locations in NSW will save lives.

“If immediate first aid is required as a result of a shark attack, fin chop, or propeller injury we can help to reduce serious injury or preserve life while paramedics are on the way,” said Lawson.

The trauma kits have been developed by TacMed Paramedics and Military Medics with approved equipment used by military, law enforcement and ambulance agencies globally.

An online training course will supplement the kits to ensure all locations personnel are competent in using the equipment.

Additionally, all surfers in NSW have access to free first aid training through the Surfers Rescue 24/7 program where they can learn how to perform lifesaving water rescue techniques and CPR.

The initiative has been funded by the NSW Government in an Australian-first for shark incident response as part of NSW Government’s 2021-22 Shark Management Program that includes; the largest fleet of shark-spotting drones across 50 beaches; 37 VR4G listening stations to detect tagged sharks; 170 SMART drumlines; the continuation of 51 shark nets between Newcastle and Wollongong; the SharkSmart app, community awareness and education programs and shark research.

By Marian SAMPSON