First Aid Lessons from Commercial Fishing Accidents in New Zealand Waters

1. Deep Cuts & Lacerations – Knives, Hooks, Winches & Steel Cables

Sharp tools, high-tension lines, and fast machinery make deep cuts one of the most common offshore injuries.

🛑 Real Case: Winch Cable Laceration – West Coast, South Island (2022)

In rough Westport seas, a deckhand adjusting a steel cable was caught by a sudden swell that snapped the line tight. The cable sliced deeply into his forearm, severing tendons and an artery — he lost an estimated 500ml of blood in under 60 seconds.

The skipper applied direct pressure with a clean rag while crew sent a MAYDAY via VHF (no cell coverage 40km offshore). They packed the wound with gauze, elevated the arm, and kept him warm while waiting for help. A Coastguard helicopter arrived roughly 90 minutes later. He survived after surgery but lost partial grip strength.

First Aid Lessons

• Apply firm direct pressure immediately.

• Pack deep wounds and maintain steady pressure.

• Elevate if possible.

• If bleeding is arterial and uncontrollable after 3 minutes, apply a tourniquet.

• Keep the casualty warm and still.

2. Hypothermia – Cold Water & Harsh Weather

NZ waters stay cold year-round. Even in “mild weather,” an overboard incident can become life-threatening within minutes.

🛑 Real Case: Overboard Paua Diver – Kaikōura Coast (2023)

A commercial diver slipped on a kelp-covered deck and fell 6m into 11°C water without his full survival suit sealed. Immersed for 8 minutes, his core temp dropped to 32°C, triggering cold shock and water aspiration.

The crew wrapped him in dry tarps and jackets, avoided rubbing, and offered warm sugary tea once he became alert. Fisheries observer logs noted confusion and shallow breathing. A wharf medic stabilised him on arrival, and he recovered after 24 hours in hospital.

First Aid Lessons

• Remove wet clothing; replace with dry, insulated layers.

• Use an improvised hypothermia wrap with jackets, blankets, or tarps.

• Give warm, sweet drinks if conscious.

• Avoid rubbing cold limbs.

• Monitor breathing — hypothermia can make it slow and shallow.

3. Entanglement Injuries – Nets, Lines & Winches

High-speed gear can drag a person toward machinery faster than the brain can react.

🛑 Real Case: Set-Net Haul Tangle – Hauraki Gulf (2021)

During a night haul in 25-knot winds, a deckhand’s glove caught in a 14mm monofilament net line feeding into the winch. The line yanked him 2 metres towards the drum, dislocating his shoulder and fracturing his wrist before the skipper hit the emergency stop.

Bleeding was controlled with compression bandages. The crew immobilised the arm with a SAM splint improvised from a pot lid. Isolation and poor weather delayed rescue by 4 hours.

First Aid Lessons

• Stop machinery first.

• Free the person only if absolutely safe.

• Control bleeding with compression.

• Immobilise injured limbs.

• Watch for shock.

4. Crush Trauma – Gear, Hatches & Heavy Loads

Crush injuries can look deceptively minor on the outside but hide catastrophic internal damage.

🛑 Real Case: Cray Pot Crush – Fiordland (2024)

A 300kg cray pot shifted during a rollover swell, pinning a deckhand's lower leg against the bulwark for 15 minutes. Swelling doubled within minutes after release, and he began producing dark urine — a red flag for rhabdomyolysis and kidney damage.

Crew treated wounds, kept him lying flat, warmed him, and requested urgent medevac. Maritime NZ noted that the crew’s calm handling and early radio call likely prevented organ failure.

First Aid Lessons

• Free the casualty only when the area is safe.

• Control any visible bleeding.

• Keep the casualty flat, warm, and still.

• Watch for shock and crush syndrome.

• Prepare for deterioration even if they “seem okay.”

5. Emergencies Far From Shore – Help Might Be Hours Away

Distance is one of the biggest killers in commercial fishing.

🛑 Real Case: 7-Hour Bleed & Shock Event – Tasman Sea (2022)

120 nautical miles west of Nelson, a longline handler severed his femoral artery on a barbed hook during a squall. VHF signals failed initially; they relayed MAYDAY via a nearby vessel. Supplies were limited.

Crew applied a tourniquet, positioned him for shock, activated the EPIRB, and monitored his vitals. It took 7 hours for the Rescue Coordination Centre helicopter to reach them. Logs show that practiced crew drills significantly cut the response time.

First Aid Lessons

• Maintain an up-to-date marine first aid kit.

• Practice regular emergency drills.

• Know EPIRB and radio protocols.

• Log vital signs — trends predict deterioration.

• Assign at least one formally trained first aider per trip.

Final Thought

These are not movie scenes — they’re real, recent NZ incidents. When a medical emergency happens 40, 80, or 120 nautical miles offshore, your crew’s skills make the difference between life saved and life lost.

Investing in practical, scenario-based first aid training means your crew won’t freeze when seconds matter.

📍 We Come to You

RealMed First Aid delivers hands-on, scenario-based training across New Zealand, including:

• bleeding control

• fracture care

• shock recognition

• psychological first aid

• improvised techniques

• earthquake and disaster scenarios

• Special FX realism

Our training prepares your team for real emergencies—not just textbook ones.

🌐 www.realmed.co.nz

Train With RealMed First Aid

We teach these skills (and more) in our:
✅ Comprehensive First Aid Course
✅ Workplace First Aid Course
✅ Refresher First Aid Course
✅ Basic Life Support Course
✅ Control the Bleed Course
✅ Special FX Scenarios

📅 Private group courses available nationwide.