Emergency contacts and source-aware context — not a treatment manual
🚨 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 context only and does not provide medical treatment instructions. Always seek lifeguard, emergency, or professional medical care.
🌊 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
Get local help from a lifeguard, first-aid station, emergency responder, or healthcare provider.
Expect source differences: vinegar, saltwater/seawater, heat, and cold are discussed differently across references.
Treat severe symptoms as urgent: chest pain, breathing trouble, faintness, or face/throat swelling.
Call 911 for chest pain, shortness of breath, face/throat swelling, faintness, extreme pain, or loss of consciousness.
🦚 Wana Spines in Foot or Hand
Ask local help from a lifeguard, clinic, urgent care, or doctor.
Know what sources mention: warm water and vinegar appear in some Hawaii safety materials, but this site does not tell you to use them.
Watch for infection concerns: increasing redness, warmth, swelling, pus, fever, or worsening pain.
Spines near joints or in eyes require 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.
Guided tours include safety equipment and trained guides who know these waters.
Tours listed via Viator and GetYourGuide. Safe to Swim Hawaii may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.
Water-quality advisory updates only. No treatment advice.
Medical Disclaimer: This page provides general beach-emergency context for educational purposes only. It does not provide medical treatment instructions and 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. 🤙