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A New South Wales surfer has begun a rollout of community-funded shark bite response kits. The initiative began as a response to a brutal shark attack that nearly killed his friend, as ABC news reports.
Kai McKenzie was surfing at North Shore Beach, near Port Macquarie, when he was attacked by what experts believe to be a 10-foot great white shark. The 23-year-old was able to fight off the shark and paddle in, but not before the fish severed his right leg. On shore, he was aided by a passing retired police officer, who used a dog leash as a makeshift tourniquet to stem the bleeding. From there, Kai, along with the leg, were rushed to Port Macquarie Base Hospital, then airlifted to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle. Though doctors were able to stabilize McKenzie, his leg was not able to be reattached.
Since then, Mackenzie’s friend and fellow surfer, Danny Schouten, has led a campaign to add shark attack kits to local beaches. “Kai was attacked not that long ago and we’ve lost some people close to home over the years from sharks. I think it’s one of those things we need to be more prepared for,” Schouten told ABC. “I don’t understand why they aren’t in place already, so I am really keen to give back and make sure everyone has that opportunity to have something there close by.”
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Schouten initially raised funds for ten kits, at a cost of roughly $60 each. Inside each kit are two tourniquets, a compression bandage, two dressings, a foil blanket, gloves, a whistle, amputated parts bags and instructions on how to treat a shark bite. “I was a lifeguard with the Port Macquarie Hastings Council so I know what goes in the emergency response kits,” said Schouten. “I spoke with [Mid North Coast Lifeguard Coordinator] James Turnham … just making sure we are putting in what’s essential, so the cost doesn’t become too high, but everything in there is vital.”
The kits will be installed at unpatrolled beaches in the Mid North Coast, as well as more remote locations, such as Lake Cathie, Bonny Hills and Queens Head. The first location to receive a kit was North Shore Beach.
However, Danny doesn’t plan on stopping there. “I’ve put it out [on social media] and we’ve been getting a lot of interest and a lot of people wanting to donate, so we should have more kits out soon,” he added.
