The Avoca Boardriders club was one of 15 east coast clubs to be presented with a trauma kit recently by Surfing NSW.
North Shelly Boardriders also received a kit.
The presentation was a collaborative project between Surfing NSW and the State Government and 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.
Avoca Boardriders Treasurer and life member, Rob Capilli, said the community-based group caters for people who enjoy surfing and has members aged from about five to into their seventies.
“With around 250 members, a lot of them juniors, we have divisions ranging from the Legends, for those over 60, through Master, Opens and Juniors right down to the Micro Groms, for kids nine and under,” he said.
Capilli said the club, established in 1975, runs monthly contests as well as taking part in external competitions.
“It’s very much a social thing,” he said.
“We try to teach the kids about the water, about safety, about surfing in general and every couple of months we have a development day, where professional surfers like Adrian Buchan help to train them and teach them a bit about competition.”
As well as helping juniors develop surfing skills and confidence in a variety of surf conditions, the club provides a link to other surfing bodies including the peak surfing bodies Surfing NSW and Surfing Australia allowing those with high skill levels to move to superior levels of competition such the Qualifying Series, World Qualifying Series and World Surf League.
It also teaches juniors and seniors CPR and Board Rescue (Surfers Rescue 24/7) through support from Surfing NSW, providing crucial training which could help save lives.
Capilli said the trauma kit was gratefully received.
“We have safety officers but the trauma kit could certainly be helpful in the event of an accident,” he said.
“If something does happen on the beach, we are usually a bit down the beach from lifesavers, so this could help with immediate trauma treatment at the scene.”
Capilli said the boardriders often assisted with surf rescues, particularly on weekends.
“Just the other week a couple was caught in a rip and some of our members got them on boards and paddled them into the beach,” he said.
Surfing NSW, Surfers Rescue 24/7 Coordinator, Matt Lawson, said surfers are often the first to respond to surf-zone incidents at unpatrolled or regional beaches.
“In many of these cases, every second counts,” he said.
“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.”
The trauma kits were 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 everyone is competent in using the equipment.
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Terry Collins