First aid can help to stop bleeding, clean and dress wounds, and prevent infection. This can reduce the severity of injuries and help the healing process. 

First aid can also help to relieve pain and discomfort from injuries and illnesses. This can make it possible to continue fishing or to travel safely to medical help. 

Knowing first aid while fishing is important as: 

• About 6,000 people are involved in the fishing industry in Australia. 
• Commercial fishing is the most dangerous Australian occupation, with a contextualised average annual fatality rate of 9.1 fatalities per 10,000 workers. 
• Fishing vessels accounted for 76.9% of fatalities associated with marine incidents between 2016 and 2020.