Adventure Dominica
First Aid
Basic First- aid procedures
The measures described below are basic first aid using commonly available
materials and equipment, and are not a substitute for medical attention. The
seriousness of an encounter with a hazardous marine animal depends not
only on the nature of the animal but on the location of the wound- a bite,
spine or sting near the eyes should be treated differently than one to a
calloused heel.
1.Immediately, in the water if possible, check that the victim is breathing. If
not, clear the airway and begin mouth- to- mouth resuscitation. Remove
the victim from the water as quickly as possible, check for breathing and
heartbeat and begin CPR if necessary.
2.To minimize shock, place the victim in a head-down position; minimize
blood loss by applying pressure and/or a tourniquet and elevate the limb
involved.
3.Try to remove spicules, spines or bristles with tweezers or adhesive tape, but
leave any that are deeply embedded (in joints, near eyes or near major blood
vessels) for surgical removal later. Wash the area with sterile (boiled) water.
If a sponge is thought to be involved, soak the area with vinegar diluted with
an equal volume of sterile water. Venom and pain may be reduced by heating
the afflicted area with warm water or a hot hair drier.
4.If a creature with nematocysts was involved, the sting should be washed
out with seawater. (Do not use fresh water, as nematocysts will trigger in
defense of something "unnatural" to them; fresh water may in fact result in
additional stings.) Flood the area with diluted vinegar and remove any visible
nematocyst with a pair of tweezers. Apply shaving cream to the site and
carefully scrape it with a razor or knife. Flood the are again with diluted
vinegar, followed by several teaspoons of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
dissolve in sterile water. Make sure nematocyst are not spread to other areas-
especially the eyes- or to other people.
5. Apply a topical antibiotic such as bacitracin or neomycin if available.
Place a sterile dressing over the wound- a section cut from a clean cotton T-
shirt or was cloth, boiled and then dried will do fine- and secure it with tape
or string.
Basic First- aid procedures
The measures described below are basic first aid using commonly available
materials and equipment, and are not a substitute for medical attention. The
seriousness of an encounter with a hazardous marine animal depends not
only on the nature of the animal but on the location of the wound- a bite,
spine or sting near the eyes should be treated differently than one to a
calloused heel.
1.Immediately, in the water if possible, check that the victim is breathing. If
not, clear the airway and begin mouth- to- mouth resuscitation. Remove
the victim from the water as quickly as possible, check for breathing and
heartbeat and begin CPR if necessary.
2.To minimize shock, place the victim in a head-down position; minimize
blood loss by applying pressure and/or a tourniquet and elevate the limb
involved.
3.Try to remove spicules, spines or bristles with tweezers or adhesive tape, but
leave any that are deeply embedded (in joints, near eyes or near major blood
vessels) for surgical removal later. Wash the area with sterile (boiled) water.
If a sponge is thought to be involved, soak the area with vinegar diluted with
an equal volume of sterile water. Venom and pain may be reduced by heating
the afflicted area with warm water or a hot hair drier.
4.If a creature with nematocysts was involved, the sting should be washed
out with seawater. (Do not use fresh water, as nematocysts will trigger in
defense of something "unnatural" to them; fresh water may in fact result in
additional stings.) Flood the area with diluted vinegar and remove any visible
nematocyst with a pair of tweezers. Apply shaving cream to the site and
carefully scrape it with a razor or knife. Flood the are again with diluted
vinegar, followed by several teaspoons of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
dissolve in sterile water. Make sure nematocyst are not spread to other areas-
especially the eyes- or to other people.
5. Apply a topical antibiotic such as bacitracin or neomycin if available.
Place a sterile dressing over the wound- a section cut from a clean cotton T-
shirt or was cloth, boiled and then dried will do fine- and secure it with tape
or string.
