# A Transformative Approach to Shark Attack Care: The SHARC Protocol
Shark attacks, previously infrequent and localized, have experienced a significant global increase, with incidents rising by 23% over the past 20 years. This steep rise has highlighted concerning deficiencies in how healthcare systems handle these emergencies, resulting in many victims receiving inconsistent or insufficient care. From the point of injury to long-term rehabilitation, the lack of standardized medical protocols has contributed to higher death rates and a diminished quality of life for survivors. However, recent research, published in the *Open Journal of Emergency Medicine* (DOI: [10.4236/ojem.2024.124016](https://doi.org/10.4236/ojem.2024.124016)), brings optimism with the introduction of a proposed treatment protocol that could significantly enhance survival rates and overall outcomes.
## Filling a Critical Healthcare Void
In this groundbreaking research, Matthew Levenson from the Physician Assistant Studies program at Canisius University conducts an exhaustive review, analyzing 463 sources to pinpoint critical weaknesses in the management of shark attack victims by healthcare systems. His findings emphasize a crucial issue: **the lack of a universally recognized, standardized treatment protocol** for shark attack injuries.
The research indicates that many victims do not die from the initial trauma, but rather from complications arising in the immediate aftermath of the attack, especially during the prehospital period. Life-threatening conditions like **hypovolemic shock** and severe blood loss (exsanguination) often go unaddressed promptly, leading to increased mortality rates. As suggested by the study, this vital timeframe—commonly termed the “golden hour”—frequently dictates survival.
## The SHARC Protocol: An Innovative Life-Saving Measure
To address these pressing issues, the researchers formulated the **SHARC Protocol**—which stands for *Shark Attack Rapid Care*—to instruct Emergency Medical Services (EMS) on the most effective interventions to enhance survival rates. This protocol represents a significant advancement, particularly with its strong emphasis on administering whole blood transfusions in the field.
The **SHARC protocol** sets forth explicit criteria for initiating whole blood transfusions, especially when a victim’s systolic blood pressure falls below 90 or when substantial hemorrhage is apparent. Early whole blood administration can mean the difference between life and death, as it effectively tackles **hypovolemic shock**, a predominant cause of mortality among shark attack victims. This unprecedented, field-based blood transfusion guideline ensures that victims receive not only fluids but also vital components like red blood cells, plasma, and platelets essential for clotting and oxygen delivery, greatly enhancing their chances of survival.
## Tackling Hidden Risks: Marine-Borne Infections
While trauma care is an integral component, Levenson’s study also highlights a frequently neglected danger: **marine-borne bacterial infections**, especially those caused by **Vibrio species**, which can enter the bloodstream through open wounds inflicted during the attack.
These bacteria, particularly aggressive in warmer waters, can result in serious complications if not treated, and are often overlooked in traditional trauma care that focuses on physical injuries over secondary infections. To address this threat, the SHARC protocol incorporates a **prophylactic antibiotic regimen** specifically aimed at combating marine-borne bacteria. This regimen combines **ciprofloxacin or moxifloxacin**, a **third-generation cephalosporin**, and **doxycycline**—a combination effective against a wide range of potential bacterial threats, particularly Vibrio species.
## Mental Recovery: The Neglected Aspect of Shark Attack Aftercare
Another pioneering facet of the SHARC protocol is its focus on **mental health care**, a vital area often neglected in standard trauma protocols. Research indicates that many shark attack survivors experience **Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)** and other mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, which can severely undermine their quality of life if not adequately assessed and treated.
Levenson’s team has included mandatory mental health evaluations as part of the new protocol at two critical intervals: immediately following the initial trauma, and again three months after discharge. This requirement ensures that psychological trauma, often hidden beneath physical injuries, receives the necessary attention. Providing survivors with access to mental health support could significantly enhance their long-term recovery, offering a more holistic and compassionate approach to trauma care.
## Advancing Toward Standardized Shark Attack Care
With the continuous rise in shark attacks, the SHARC protocol signifies an essential advancement toward a universally standardized shark attack treatment framework. By integrating timely medical responses in the field with ongoing psychological support and infection control, this comprehensive strategy holds the promise of saving numerous lives and improving recovery experiences for shark attack survivors globally.
### Key Takeaways:
– **SHARC Protocol:** An organized emergency response system focusing on early blood transfusions.