What to do for ocean injuries and emergencies — before help arrives
🚨 EMERGENCY: CALL 911
For drowning, cardiac arrest, unconscious victim, anaphylaxis, or any life-threatening situation
Coast Guard (offshore): (808) 535-3333
This page provides general first aid information only. Always seek professional medical care. This is not a substitute for medical advice.
🌊 Someone is caught in a rip current
Call 911 and alert the nearest lifeguard by waving both arms
Throw a flotation device — boogie board, life ring, cooler, anything that floats
Shout instructions: "Don't fight it! Swim sideways to shore!"
If YOU are in a rip: Stay calm. Swim parallel to shore (north or south) until you escape the current's pull. Then swim back diagonally. If exhausted, float on your back and signal for help.
🦌 Box Jellyfish & Portuguese Man-O-War
Exit the water calmly and move away from other jellyfish
Remove tentacles using a credit card, stick, or gloved hand — never bare fingers
Rinse with seawater — not fresh water, which triggers stinging cells
Apply ice pack (wrapped — never direct ice on skin) for 15–20 minutes
Hydrocortisone cream for itching. Oral antihistamine for mild allergic reaction.
Call 911 if: chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling of face/throat, extreme pain, or loss of consciousness.
🦚 Wana Spines in Foot or Hand
Soak in warm water for 30–90 minutes to soften skin and ease discomfort
Apply vinegar soaks — the acid helps dissolve calcium carbonate spines over days
Remove visible spines that protrude cleanly with sterilized tweezers only
Monitor for infection: increasing redness, warmth, swelling, or pus — see a doctor
Most spines absorbed by skin in 1–3 weeks without intervention. Spines near joints or in eyes require immediate medical care.
🪸 Coral Laceration
Scrub thoroughly with a brush and antiseptic soap under running fresh water for 5+ minutes
Remove coral fragments with sterilized tweezers — any remaining debris will cause infection
Apply antiseptic — hydrogen peroxide or povidone-iodine solution
Cover loosely — do not seal tightly; wounds need to drain
See a doctor if the wound is deep, shows red streaking, or if you develop fever
Heat Exhaustion
Heavy sweating, weakness, cool/clammy skin, nausea, headache. Action: Move to shade, cool wet cloths, sip water slowly. Monitor — if they stop sweating or become confused, call 911.
Heat Stroke 🚨
High body temp, hot DRY skin, confusion, rapid pulse. Call 911 immediately. Cool aggressively with water, ice packs to neck/armpits/groin while waiting for EMS.
Do NOT enter the water unless trained in water rescue. Throw a flotation device.
If victim is out of water and unresponsive — check breathing. Begin CPR if not breathing.
Do NOT perform the "Heimlich maneuver" for drowning — it delays CPR and is ineffective for water removal.
Keep victim warm — wet victims lose heat rapidly. Cover with towel or clothing.
Even if the victim recovers and seems okay — still go to the ER. Secondary drowning is real.
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Medical Disclaimer: This guide provides general first aid information for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always call 911 for emergencies and consult a qualified healthcare provider for any injury.
Independent passion project — not affiliated with Hawaii DOH or any medical authority.
When in doubt, don't go out. 🤙