What must one resist doing immediately after getting safely out of the water from coral contact?
Answer
Rubbing the wound.
Resisting the instinct to rub the injured area immediately upon reaching safety is crucial for managing a coral wound. Rubbing the affected skin, even gently, carries significant risks related to the nature of the injury. This action can force any small, sharp coral fragments or sand particles that are resting on the surface or just beneath it deeper into the tissue. Furthermore, rubbing can easily introduce existing surface bacteria into the open wound or abrasion, substantially increasing the probability and severity of a secondary infection.

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