First Aid
Surfing Injuries and how to treat them!
Basic First Aid…….
The following advice is based on basic First Aid and how to administer it if you come across a surfing casualty! If you’re unlucky enough to get injured surfing there’s a good chance it’s going to be one of the following;
HEAD INJURIES
With minor blows to the head from your surf board the skull is able to provide adequate protection for the brain. All injuries to the head should be treated seriously as they are potentially dangerous. Medical assistance should be obtained in all cases.
Concussion
Concussion can best be described as a shaking of the brain leading to a brief loss of consciousness. This is often caused by a direct blow to the head i.e. your surf board!
Recognition
>Brief loss of consciousness
>Dizziness
>Nausea
>Disturbed vision
>Pale, cold and clammy skin
Treatment
>Sit the casualty down
>If unconscious monitor the airway and the breathing
>If you have had a major blow to the head it is advisable to seek medical assistance
>If unconscious for more than 2 minutes dial 999/112 for an ambulance. If it’s the summer session there may well be a beach life guard at hand to offer further assistance
FRACTURED RIBS
With the rumble tumble nature of surfing waves you maybe unlucky enough to suffer a fractured rib or two!
If you are unlucky enough to have fractured your ribs or have a casualty with suspected fractured ribs they may be having difficulties breathing leave the casualty in their wet suit and get medical aid ASAP
SURFING DISLOCATIONS
Recognition
>Severe pain
>Swelling
>Deformity
>Inability to move the affected area
Treatment
>Treat as a fracture by supporting in the position found
>Do not attempt to put the joint back in place
>Transfer to hospital ASAP
SOFT TISSUE INJURIES
Sprains
During a surfing session you may sustain a sprain. This is an injury to the ligaments surrounding a joint possibly caused by over stretching or a sudden twisting movement
Recognition
>Pain
>Swelling
>Bruising
>Inflammation of the surrounding area
Strains
This is a tearing injury to the muscles and tendons possibly caused by over stretching the area.
Recognition
>Pain
>Swelling
>Cramp
>Inflammation of the surrounding area
>Bruising
Treatment
Your main aims here are to reduce pain and swelling. This will enable the casualty to make a quicker recovery.
If you do suffer a sprain or strain while surfing remember:
R I C E
Rest – the injured part
Ice – apply a cold compress to the injured part
Compress – the injured part firmly to reduce the swelling
Elevate – the injured part to reduce the swelling
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