The Surgeons Guide To Cleaning Reef Cuts - Surfing Explained

[@astonishingwork]

So good to hear it from a real Dr. vs. your surf bro who has a doctorate in interneting. Thanks you two.

[@SurfStrengthCoach]

Your welcome 🙏

[@StevenBowers-h3r]

Great info and finally a physician who is recommending to keep it covered. Wounds heal twice as fast if they are kept moist and covered. Only clean once with antiseptic (betadine/alcohol) because that will also destroy healthy tissue as it heals. And the best topical antimicrobial to apply after cleaning is Manuka honey/Medihoney, the stuff is amazing and no resistance

[@MojoP]

CRIS!!!!! Glad to see ya posting some fresh content Braddah 🤙 Props to DocFroth for the "actual factual", respect ✊

[@stusenselle]

I can personally attest to DocFroth's street cred! I was on that trip and got cut up at Macca's. Awesome advice and care from Trav. Take care chargers and don't look down!! 🤣

[@JahCoMusic]

Doc Travis is da man!

[@zuma3334]

So important!! Thank you for this. Took a spill at thunders and had a surfer form a neighboring boat stitch me up. Cleaned, Irrigated and then stitched me up

[@pyrrhical3423]

Great interview, nice and succinct. Well done for posing some scenario based questions. If the wound is in an awkward spot that won’t take a dressing easily, hinge points like behind the knee, hands etc, is his advice to leave it uncovered? Can confirm diligence is required, had an infection in Lombok 2 months ago despite using iodine frequently. Now in Sri Lanka with more reef cuts!!

[@TravisK-w7u]

Hard to cover those spots. Leave ‘em uncovered and no need to stress about it. if the cut gets dirty doing some dry land stuff then just do the post surf irrigate + antiseptic steps again. All about keeping a clean wound whether covered or not.

[@twiginindo3041]

Trav is such a legend! I still bother him for medical advice 😁 Love ya Trav!

[@TravisK-w7u]

🙌🏼🤙🌊

[@julianwondorf342]

Great video! What's your take on / experience with using super glue on a cut to ceil it?

[@malcolmd3670]

Great information thanks guys

[@MyNaturalHerniaCure]

Great info Cris. Twiggy at the end 😂

[@twiginindo3041]

Most difficult job of the whole trip bro! 😰🥵☀

[@vuknuk]

thanks so much for sharing this dude ⚡👊🏻🔥💯

[@ronphipps5694]

What are your thoughts on using a sealed cover like used for tattoos when in the water to reduce the entry of sea water and bacteria?

[@TravisK-w7u]

That’s a good question and good idea. Wouldn’t hurt for sure. I’d probably reserve for the bigger/deeper cuts you are babying that may not irritate out as easily. Obviously cut location and size play a role- over joint would be a hassle, but forearm/shin/etc, sure. Same post surf and dry land sequence. Good idea

[@SurfStrengthCoach]

we recommend guests bring the tattoo covering for rash prevention, or rash coverage. probably wouldnt' hurt to cover a cut, but I'M NOT A DOCTOR!

[@ronphipps5694]

Cool. I tried it a fresh wound on my shin when in some not so clean waters and it seemed to keep it dry. I put a small amount of gauze and some ointment on the wound to keep it from sticking in the wound. It worked so much better than those expensive waterproof bandages that don’t really stay. Thanks for the video, really helpful.

[@NastyNickC]

Helpful video. Currently on a surf trip and have a few cuts on my leg. If I get a cut or two do I need to stay out of the water even if it’s small? If no then where is the line get crossed with wound size/type?

[@astonishingwork]

I think the recommendation was to go through the cleaning steps every time you get out of the water. If you’re cut bad enough to need stitches, I doubt you’re going to be frothing to jump back in with a gapping wound. And if you’re super gnar and don’t care that your bone is showing and you still want to go. Maybe ask for someone’s advice that can see the wound.

[@TravisK-w7u]

Keep surfing. Do the post surf sequence every time. Be meticulous then feel good about it and don’t stress. Have fun!

[@TravisK-w7u]

See a reply I made above about stitches. My approach is stitches = stay out of water will scar forms. I try to use tissue glue aka dermabond for all cuts unless it’s really gaping/open. Dermabond = keep surfing.

[@safetybeachlife]

Good to hear common sense advice. Always wondered why people bang on about limes when you have 21st century antibacterial options available. Always thought it was just a bit of wankery .

[@nightelf7921]

I have a question, after the big cut, do you must stay in land or can you surf and get wet this wound?

[@TravisK-w7u]

Good question, we should have covered this. It’s a real judgement call and depends on how cut is repaired. Here is my thinking 1. big cut, not needing stitches: keep surfing, be meticulous about post surf sequence and dry land care. If you don’t have pressured water option you can DIY it - fill a zip lock and put small snip in the corner to create nosssle. Squeeze bag hard and irrigate your cut. 2. Big cut repaired w stitches - most high risk situation. I wouldnt recommend surfing till you have scar coverage and it’s sealed over. Week or more. Ugh. Reason being bacteria easily enters and gets trapped inside the repaired cut. An infected stitched laceration can be a nightmare. I personally don’t stitch cuts w stitches unless i absolutely have to (cuts that are very deep, very big, very open) for this reason. Brings me to … 3. Cut repaired w tissue glue aka dermabond. The best way to go. Produces a glued over seal. Fill in the open cut w dermabond like you’d repair a surfboard ding you cut-out w filler. The glue cures in 30sec and you have a sealed environment. Go surfing. much larger scar is the trade off. Cut will heal from wound base up. Hope that helps.

[@SurfStrengthCoach]

@@TravisK-w7u brilliant! that's doc

[@chileelee]

Bro is a legend!

[@DarkWillg21]

​@@TravisK-w7uWhat about a small cut on the foot that has had a couple of stitches? Can you still surf?

[@quanchung5634]

Great advice, but coming from the tropics and hitting the reef hard, I have tried most things, but nothing beats lemon. Squeeze that into that cut. It kill the coral polyps, the bad and some good bacteria, and if you get to it early your coral cut should heal fast.

[@timshen6665]

Fuck yeah. I’m ready to send it now!

[@SurfStrengthCoach]

Full send… back in indo 🤘

[@MrJMHP]

just clean with fresh water and lemon---- thats it... keep it simple

[@appelsenperenboom]

The random recommendations for Antibiotic ointments should be avoided and only help creating superbacteria.

[@Woweeeeee100]

Antibiotic fearmongering is unwise. Proper use of antibiotics does not create 'superbugs'. If anyone is unsure they only need to speak to a doctor.

[@SurfStrengthCoach]

What do you mean “random”. If someone is dealing with an open wound, from coral, there are potentially living organisms in the wound, and in fact there most likely ARE foreign organisms inside the body, not to mention the potential for infection from any other organism calling the tropics home. This isn’t “random” use, this is use in an environment that is HIGHLY prone to infection.

[@SurfStrengthCoach]

When you’re in the literal middle of nowhere, hundreds or thousands of miles from a legitimate hospital, and potentially ruining a trip, it’s probably better to err on the side of caution and use some antibiotic ointment. IMO :)