Fishing on your Yellowfin boat or a Cruise Craft boat is a relaxing and rewarding activity, but like any outdoor pursuit, it comes with risks. Anglers often face hazards like sharp hooks, slippery surfaces, and prolonged exposure to the elements. These hazards range from minor inconveniences to life-threatening. Knowing how to prevent and treat common fishing injuries and emergencies ensures a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.

Hook Injuries

Getting snagged by a fishing hook is one of the most common accidents that anglers go through. Hooks can puncture the skin, sometimes lodging deeply, making removal challenging, not to mention how painful this injury can be.

How to Treat:

• If the hook is only superficially embedded, use pliers to back it out or push it through to cut off the barb before removal. Make sure to do this carefully to avoid damaging your hand/finger.
• Clean the wound with antiseptic to prevent infection.
• Apply a clean bandage, and watch for signs of redness or swelling. Seek medical help right away if the wound is deep or in a sensitive area like the face or hands.

Prevention:

• Always handle hooks carefully, and use a pair of pliers or a hook remover instead of your hands when unhooking fish.

Cuts and Abrasions

Another common injury that anglers go through is handling fishing gear such as sharp fishing lines, fillet knives, and fish fins or gills that can cause cuts. Falling and slipping boats and docks surfaces also increase the risk of abrasions.

How to Treat:

• Wash the cut with clean water to remove debris. Don’t use saltwater.
• Apply an antiseptic and cover the wound with a bandage.
• Deep cuts may require stitches, so seek medical care if necessary.

Prevention:

• Wear protective gloves when handling fish and gear. Keep knives sharp but safely stored, and always cut away from yourself. Make sure to wear the proper outfit and shoes to avoid scraping your skin from hard surfaces if ever you slip or hit hard surfaces.

Sunburn and Heat Exhaustion

Fishing often involves long hours in direct sunlight, which can lead to sunburn, dehydration, and heat exhaustion.

How to Treat:

• For sunburn, apply aloe vera gel or a soothing lotion.
• Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
• If heat exhaustion occurs (symptoms include dizziness, fatigue, and nausea), move to a shaded area, cool down with damp towels, and sip water.

Prevention:

• Wear sunscreen, protective clothing, polarized sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat. Take frequent breaks in the shade and drink water regularly. If you’re prone to dehydration, drink fluids that have high electrolyte levels.

Slips and Falls

Wet surfaces on boats, docks, or riverbanks can lead to slips and falls, causing bruises, sprains, or even fractures.

How to Treat:

• For bruises or sprains, use the R.I.C.E. method: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.

Stop doing all activities that cause pain. Apply ice packs to the injured area for 15-20 minutes (if there is no ice, use a cold object such as your water bottle). Wrap the injured area with an elastic bandage and raise the injured area above the level of your heart to reduce swelling. Avoid heat, alcohol, and massage in the first 48-72 hours after the injury, as these can increase swelling.

• If the pain is becoming too unbearable and significant swelling or bruising is forming, seek medical attention immediately. You might have fractured a bone.

Prevention:

• Wear non-slip footwear and keep walkways clear of clutter. Don’t run and walk carefully through areas where you think are slippery.

Eye Injuries

Flying hooks, splashing water, and UV rays can injure the eyes.

How to Treat:

• If a hook injures the eye, avoid removing it yourself and seek emergency medical care immediately.
• For minor irritants like water or sand, rinse the eye with clean water. If blinking or moving your eyes is uncomfortable, seek medical care right away.
• If you’ve hurt your eyes due to sun exposure, avoid further exposure. Wear dark UV-protective sunglasses to shield your eyes from the sun. apply a cold compress to alleviate the discomfort. Make sure not to rub your eyes as this can further irritate the delicate tissues in your eyes. Seek medical attention right away to get the proper treatment.

Prevention:

• Always wear protective UV-blocking, polarized eyewear when casting or reeling in.

Hypothermia

Falling into cold water or prolonged exposure to chilly weather can lead to hypothermia, a potentially life-threatening condition.

How to Treat:

• Remove wet clothing and replace it with dry, warm layers.
• Use blankets such as an aluminium foil blanket, or warm beverages to restore body heat gradually.
• Seek medical attention if symptoms are severe, such as confusion or uncontrollable shivering.

Prevention:

• Dress in layers and wear a life jacket when fishing in cold conditions.

Fishing injuries can happen to anyone, but with some simple precautions, you can keep them from getting too serious. Make sure to pack a first aid kit, brush up on basic treatment tips, and keep safety in mind so you can enjoy your fishing trips without worrying too much. You can get first aid kits, polarized sunglasses, life jackets, and other safety boating gear in marine boat stores. By being prepared, you’ll be able to focus on catching the big one instead of dealing with avoidable accidents.