What is the first thing I should do?

First aid tips - a basic guide on what to do in the event of a stranding or seal haulout.

Immediately call the 24-hour ORRCA Marine Mammal Rescue Hotline (02) 9415-3333 or the National Parks and Wildlife Service (Outside Australia, call your wildlife authority) and advise of the exact location.

The following are actions that you should not take:-

• Do not do anything that will injure yourself or others.
  
• Do not push the animal back to sea.
  
• Do not use the fins or flippers as handles.
  
• Do not cover or obstruct the blowhole or eyes.
  
• Do not try to feed the animals.
  

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Ok, what should I do?

If the animal is a whale, dolphin or dugong:-

• Keep the animal upright.
• Keep the tail and fins wet.
  
• Shade the animal.
• Keep onlookers quiet and well back.
• For your safety, please keep clear of the tail.
• Keep talking and other noises down to a minimum.
• Wait for trained rescuers to arrive.
  
• Protect yourself from the elements (make sure you have water and protection from the sun or cold).

If the animal is a seal, please note that it is not an unusual occurence for a seal or sea lion to haul out and spend time on land.

• Do not approach the seal, there is a legal requirement of keeping a distance of 40m away.  Seals can out run us over short distances.
• Do not pick up the seal.
  
• Do not block the seal's exit point to the water.
• Do not throw water on the seal.
  
• Do not try and feed the seal.
• Do not let dogs approach the animal as they may be severly injured.
• Please note as many physical characteristics as possible such as the colour of the fur, the size, does it have earflaps?  This information will assist us in determining the species.