Shark Attack Response: Essential Skills and Equipment for First Responders

 

 

A shark attack incident in nearby Port Macquarie earlier this year, once again proved the critical importance of effective first response. In July 2024, a young surfer's life was saved thanks to the quick-thinking actions of an off-duty police officer, who just happened to be walking his dog on the same beach where the horrific event unfolded. The officers effective first response serves as a powerful reminder of why we all need to be prepared for such emergencies, especially in coastal areas (1).

The call to save a life doesn't wait for your shift to start, and this unfortunate incident in Port Macquarie incident demonstrates that being equipped with the right skills, knowledge and confidence can make the difference between life and death in shark attack situations. This post aims to provide you with the techniques and up-to-date information on treating catastrophic injuries, such as a shark bite, ensuring more first responders are prepared to act swiftly and effectively when every second counts.

Immediate First Aid for Shark Bite Victims

The first moments following a shark attack are critical. Responders should focus on:

  1. Scene Safety: Removing the casualty from the water as quickly as possible to prevent drowning and further attacks.
  2. Controlling Massive Bleeding: Bleeding is often the most immediate threat to life. Ideally bleeding control should be started in the water but is often difficult due to the environment. Read on for more information, which is based on information found in ANZCOR’s Guideline 9.1.1 (First Aid for Management of Bleeding)
  3. Assess the Airway, Breathing, and Circulation (ABC) as per standard emergency protocols. More information on this can be found in ANZCOR’s Basic Life Support Guidelines 
  4. Prevent Hypothermia: Trauma patients are more susceptible to becoming hypothermic. It is well known that major trauma patients who become hypothermic have a much greater chance of dying. Keep your patients warm by removing wet clothing and wrapping effectively in blankets.

Remember, when bleeding is severe or life-threatening (common in shark attack incidents), controlling the bleeding takes priority over airway and breathing interventions.

Techniques for Controlling Severe Bleeding in Marine Environments

  • For obvious bleeding, immediately apply firm, direct pressure to the wound using your hands or trauma dressing. Minimise the patient's movements to prevent further injury, and ensure the pressure is sufficient to stop the bleeding. If bleeding persists despite these efforts, consider the following additional methods.
  • Pack any deep wound cavities with haemostatic gauze, such as QuikClot, which speed up the bodies blood clotting process.
  • Wrap the wound with a Trauma Dressing such as an OLAES or Emergency Bandage.
  • For catastrophic limb bleeds, amputations or where direct pressure has been ineffective, apply an arterial tourniquets.

Preventing and Treating Shock in Coastal Settings

Shark attack victims are at high risk of shock due to blood loss and the cold marine environment. Here are the best ways for first responders to help prevent shock:

  • Place the patient in a supine position (lying flat on their back) or in the recovery position if they are unconscious.
  • Prevent further heat loss by removing wet clothing and drying the patient’s skin. Initiate rewarming measures as soon as possible, starting with wrapping them in dry towels or blankets.
  • Most importantly, minimise the time to definitive care. Call for emergency evacuation immediately, and be sure to communicate your patients critical condition clearly and calmly.

Specialised Equipment for Treating Shark Attacks

Ideally, first responders in coastal areas should be equipped with a fully-stocked Aquatic Trauma Kit. The TacMed Aquatic Trauma Kit (ATK) includes:

 

 

 

Coastal Community First Aid Education and Preparation

In shark attack incidents, effective outcomes often hinge on the level of preparation and training of first responders. Whether you are a trained paramedic, a surfer, or just a regular beachgoer, effectively responding to shark attacks requires the ability to think quick and act quicker

In the coastal environment, you're not just applying pressure to a wound—you're managing a critical patient in a very challenging setting. The unique nature of shark-related injuries, combined with additional risks like hypothermia and drowning, demands specialised knowledge and skills.

First responders must be proficient in rapid bleeding control techniques, including the use of tourniquets and haemostatic dressing/wound packing, as well as managing potential complications like hypovolemic shock and hypothermia. Keeping a fully-stocked trauma first aid kit handy, and staying up to date on effective protocols, ensures that responders can act swiftly and effectively in these high-stress situations.

By staying informed about these advanced techniques and continuously improving our response protocols, we can significantly enhance the survival rates of shark attack victims. Remember, while shark attacks are rare, being prepared can make all the difference when every second counts.

We urge all coastal community members to take action:

  • Watch this important Shark Attack Trauma First Aid Scenario video from Surfing NSW, in partnership with DPI and TacMed Australia.
  • Sign up for First Aid training in your local area, or check out Surfers Rescue 24/7 impressive line up of surf specific first aid courses.
  • Ensure you have a well-stocked first aid kit suitable for marine emergencies.

Your preparedness could be the key to saving a life in a critical moment.

 

Stay safe,

Team TacMed

 

References:

1) https://7news.com.au/news/north-shore-beach-shark-attack-victim-kai-mckenzie-in-serious-condition-in-hospital-c-15451922