Boardrider clubs on the New South Wales north coast have become the first in the state to receive specialised trauma first aid kits as part of a ground-breaking partnership between the NSW State Government and Surfing NSW.
More than 160 boardrider clubs, surf schools, and high-performance coaches will receive the first aid kits, in what is an Australian-first for shark incident response.
Nine boardrider clubs took delivery of the specialised kits at the Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle qualifying event in Coffs Harbour on Saturday, with the roll-out to continue in the new year.
Surfing NSW Boardriders Club Manager, Matt Lawson, said the trauma kits would ensure surfers and beachgoers had the most-appropriate medical tools in the event of an immediate, life-threatening trauma incident.
“These kits include best-of-breed medical equipment and have been developed with our coastal aquatic environment in mind,” Lawson said. “Surfing NSW is incredibly grateful for the continued support of the Department of Primary Industries, who have jumped on board to deliver this vital initiative.”
Developed by Coffs Harbour based company, Tacmed Australia, the kits include immediate trauma/bleeding control equipment, hypothermia blankets and equipment for fracture management.
They also include a compact, vacuum-sealed soft litter called the TacMed QuikLitter Lite which folds out and allows a patient to be carried off the beach to awaiting medical services.
The rollout of trauma first aid kits further compliments the NSW State Government’s shark management program, which includes support for Surfing NSW to deliver first aid training for boardriders.
“We’re now able to make available first-aid training to every surfer in NSW through Surfing NSW’s Surfers Rescue 24/7 program,” Lawson added. “This training will support the rollout of the trauma kits and ensure surfers have the knowledge and tools needed in dire situations.”
The NSW Government encourages beachgoers to be SharkSmart when entering the ocean and download the SharkSmart app. For more information, visit sharksmart.nsw.gov.au
Keep up to date with the program through surfingnsw.com.au
