Volcanic eruption on White Island, NZ (outside of Tauranga)

[moa999]

Sadly it's a lot more than that:

Same thing 1m² =10,000cm²

Average adult has 1.5-2.0m² of skin

 

[VPS]

The guy on the radio this morning said the amount of skin needed was about half the size of a tennis court

 

[drron]

Also reported that the initial response hospital was applying glad wrap as a way of initially protecting the burns and preventing infection.They had to go out and buy a lot from local super markets.
And it is true that NZ has no fault accident laws so suing is out.The maximum compensation is $202000-I presume in Kiwi dollars.This is the reason NZ is the adventure playground of the world and why things such as bungy jumping started there.

Already NZ lawyers are saying that for most victims that suing RCI is not going to be successful as NZ laws will apply.
Of course in the USA that might not mean much and at least 2 of the victims were US citizens.

When we landed at SYD yesterday a hercules was parked there.It had apparently brought some Aussies back but might have been loading the medical teams for the flight over.

Australian victims of NZ volcano being sent home

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said as many as 10 patients injured in the New Zealand volcano blast would be transferred in the next 24 hours to hospitals in New South Wales and Victoria.

www.news.com.au

 

[coriander]

Six bodies, all said to be Australians, have been recovered from the island. It is reported that a seventh body is in the water close to shore, but the eighth body has not been located. These two are the tour guides. Divers were trying to retrieve the body in the water.

 

[OATEK]

Despite the concerns by some family etc about the delay, the mission today was in the best traditions of the NZ defense forces.

 

[Hvr]

And skin is coming in from around the world.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/new-zealand-needed-human-skin-to-treat-volcano-burn-victims-help-came-from-ohio/2019/12/13/9e8dbdf2-1cf7-11ea-977a-15a6710ed6da_story.html

 

[get me outta here]

It's a great shame we don't have the American System of requiring each death to be reported to an organ donation agency. Our lack of all organ donation is worse than embarrassing and the lack of skin donation is critical. Eg in Victoria last year only 80 people donated their skin. Hopefully, this emergency may jog some people to tell their families to donate stuff after their death. And, to do the appropriate paperwork.

And skin is coming in from around the world.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/new-zealand-needed-human-skin-to-treat-volcano-burn-victims-help-came-from-ohio/2019/12/13/9e8dbdf2-1cf7-11ea-977a-15a6710ed6da_story.html

 

[Quickstatus]

I think the NZ Government covers all medical costs for accidents according to something I read online yesterday.

Yes they have an umbrella scheme where tourists are covered for accidents.
Sunburn is not an accident. Not am medical is an accident - Appendicitis is not an accident.

The donor skin would eventually be rejected so may have to be reapplies until the patients own skin can be grafted. Unfortunately in severe burns there may not be enough of the patient’s own unburnt skin

 

[coriander]

Just have default organ donation to be "opt out" rather than the current "opt in".
Apathy, disinterest and indifference will ensure a much better "harvest".

 

[Quickstatus]

Just have default organ donation to be "opt out" rather than the current "opt in".

A simple administrative change but with massive practical benefits.

 

[drron]

You can grow skin.

How Lab-grown Skin Works

Growing skin in a lab can allow scientists to create a sheet of skin 100 times the size of the original sample. Learn about growing skin in a lab.

science.howstuffworks.com

Scientists grow artificial skin from stem cells of umbilical cord

Using stem cells from the human umbilical cord, researchers have been able to grow artificial skin. The technique could prove valuable to major burn victims who need urgent grafts.

www.medicalnewstoday.com

 

[DC3]

Yes they have an umbrella scheme where tourists are covered for accidents.
Sunburn is not an accident ...

Sunburn. “Self-inflicted”, usually.

 

[Pushka]

Sunburn. “Self-inflicted”, usually.

Agree. I can get sunburnt in shade.

 

[Pushka]

We are on a Mediterranean cruise next July on the subsidiary of RCL - Celebrity. We are calling into Sicily (Mt Etna) Santorini (‘active’ volcano in the bay opposite, and Naples, (Vesuvius) We have been up to Mt Etna on a hike previosuly and also the hot springs and volcano opposite Santorini and have visited Pompeii but not up to Vesuvius. There were multiple volcano experiences and hikes bookable last week, but now the cruiseline has withdrawn everything volcano related throughout the world.

 

[p--and--t]

A few years back tried to visit White Island from Rotorua via helicopter charter. Both times the flight was cancelled because of fog at the airport.

Now wondering if I will ever get the chance again with all the expected navel-gazing whether visits should be allowed.