Marine stinger prevention project : nomination for the 2009 Australian Safer Communities Awardsation and treatment / [David Kain, Ian Day].

Highly commended: Australian Safer Communities Awards 2009. State/Territory Government Agencies.

"Palm Island is an indigenous community island located 65km north east of Townsville. Palm Island children were statistically more prone to marine stinger envenomation and hospitalisation than children on the mainland. Due to lack of infrastructure on the island such as swimming pools or stinger net enclosures approximately 12-15 children were stung each year. As the first response paramedics to the children receiving envonomations it became obvious to this Queensland Ambulance crew that there was a need to address this issue. Palm Island Station paramedics developed three projects to reduce the incidence of envenomation by Education, Reaction and Prevention: Education - Community Education program Reaction - establishment of discrete houses as Vinegar Stations which are secure from vandalism and provide access to first aid equipment and communication lines. Prevention ? Stinger suits purchased through fund raising efforts, manufactured in indigenous colours to encourage the children to accept the suits and cost priced to encourage ownership by community members. The money raised by selling the suits will be used to purchase further suits." -- Website.

Summary also available online.