{"id":223988,"date":"2025-10-19T01:06:16","date_gmt":"2025-10-19T01:06:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/223988\/"},"modified":"2025-10-19T01:06:16","modified_gmt":"2025-10-19T01:06:16","slug":"the-tiny-120-features-popping-up-on-beaches-around-australia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/223988\/","title":{"rendered":"The tiny $120 features popping up on beaches around Australia"},"content":{"rendered":"

Next time you visit your local beach, take a moment to look around for a small white capsule. They’re usually attached to fences or trees near beach entrances, and though they may look unassuming, they could save your life.<\/p>\n

The $120 capsules are packed with medical equipment to help in the event of a shark bite. While they were only launched a year ago<\/a>, strong community support has seen the initiative expanded to more than 85 beaches around the country<\/a> \u2013 with dozens more on the way.<\/p>\n

The shark bite kits were the brainchild of Danny Schouten, who almost lost his friend Kai McKenzie to a shark attack<\/a> at North Shore Beach in Port Macquarie last year. Kai lost his leg in the incident, but was there to support Danny on the day he launched the kits and has since returned to surfing.<\/p>\n

\"DannyDanny (left) and Kai in October last year after installing the first shark bite kit on the same beach where Kai was attacked. Source: Instagram.com\/communitysbk\/<\/a>Paramedic raises thousands for more shark bite kits<\/p>\n

Paramedic, ex-lifeguard and keen surfer Liam Brett has never met Danny in person, but felt compelled to help the cause to give beachgoers immediate access to equipment that could make the difference between life and death.<\/p>\n

“Ever since I became a paramedic, I have kept two tourniquets in my car for myself and my friends. And just a thought crossed my mind that no one else would do that. No one else has that there,” he told Yahoo News.<\/p>\n

Liam set out with a goal to raise about $4,000<\/a> for 35 new kits to install himself at beaches between Tweed Heads and Ballina. In just a few weeks, his goal was surpassed with an extra $2,300 raised.<\/p>\n

All additional funds will be put towards more shark bite kits, which will be installed at even more beaches further north.<\/p>\n

\"AThis map pinpoints the exact locations of all current shark bite kits. So far, most of them have been installed along the east coast. Source: Instagram.com\/communitysbk\/<\/a><\/p>\n

“It’s been unreal, it’s gone even beyond what I was aiming for, which is great,” Liam said, praising the Tweed and Byron communities for their support.<\/p>\n

“It’s now being expanded to the islands, south and north Stradbroke, hopefully K’gari and Moreton as well. Places that need it.”<\/p>\n

The exact locations of all the current kits can be found on this map<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Why are the kits needed?<\/p>\n

With his medical background, Liam knows every second matters when dealing with trauma \u2013\u00a0especially if an artery has been severed.<\/p>\n

He referenced an incident in June at Cabarita Beach when a 16-year-old boy was bitten by a shark on his right arm and right leg<\/a>. There happened to be off-duty paramedics on the beach at the time, who made a makeshift tourniquet to stop the bleeding, but he feared the outcome could’ve been different if there were no health professionals around.<\/p>\n

“You can bleed out in less than a minute from your femoral artery. A smaller artery, obviously the longer it takes to bleed out and it depends what pressure is applied, but it can be well under a minute if you sever a major artery,” he said.<\/p>\n

“I think it’s important that people have the right equipment because even if there’s an ambulance around the corner, they’re not going to be on the beach with the tourniquet with the patient in less than a minute.”<\/p>\n

\"AWhat’s in the kit?<\/p>\n

Liam’s raised funds get sent to Danny, who then supplies the kits completely ready for installation.<\/p>\n

“He [Danny] is doing an amazing job. He has made it really easy for someone like me to help out and jump on board. This is absolutely Danny’s thing, I’m just helping get them to this particular area, and hopefully more people will do that for their local area,” he said.<\/p>\n

Each kit contains:<\/p>\n

\u2022 2 tourniquets<\/p>\n

\u2022 2 large dressings<\/p>\n

\u2022 2 compression bandages<\/p>\n

\u2022 Thermal blanket<\/p>\n

\u2022 Amputated parts bags<\/p>\n

\u2022 Whistle<\/p>\n

\u2022 Gloves<\/p>\n

\u2022 Step-by-step shark bite management card<\/p>\n

To fund a shark bite kit, visit Liam’s GoFundMe page here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

You can also follow us on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, Twitter<\/a> and YouTube<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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