Understanding Marine Trauma and Its Management

Marine trauma is primarily associated with injuries caused by various aquatic animals, with shark bites being the most recognized. While shark bites can be serious, they often result in minor soft tissue injuries, but can occasionally lead to more significant neurovascular damage. Immediate patient safety is crucial, which includes removing them from the water and initiating standard trauma protocols to control bleeding and perform imaging for potential fractures or retained foreign bodies. Wound care should be approached cautiously, as there is a high risk of infection, hence sutures are generally avoided.