Unique Australian Injuries
It’s horrible to hurt yourself and no one likes to get an injury. Australians face a whole range of dangers and injuries that are unique to our lifestyle and climate, with some being completely unsuspecting. No, we’re not talking about being eaten by a crocodile or bitten by one of our many venomous creatures. We’re talking about some other highly Australian injuries that almost everyone has experienced at some point during their lives in Australia. Not to worry though. We’ve collected a list of some unique Australian injuries so that you can hopefully avoid a painful lesson in Aussie life!
Bung Plugger
Yes, you read that correctly! A bung plugger is a truly unique Australian injury that sadly occurs far too often. ‘Bung’ is a slang term for ‘broken’ and ‘plugger’ is a common name for thongs (flip flops). Being such a popular form of footwear in Australia, they often get very worn out and over time, the part of the shoe where the top meets the sole, will pop out, making them useless. This devastating affect is known as a ‘bung plugger’ and can cause scraped toes, sprained ankles, broken nails, and of course, the deep shame and disappointment that comes with walking around with only one shoe.
A broken thong or a bug plugger is every Aussie’s worst nightmare.
Seatbelt Buckle Burn
It’s hot here. Very hot. Our scorching summer sun can really change things out in the sun, and our cars are no exception. For unlucky drivers who are unable to find shade, they may have no choice but to park directly in the sun. This can lead to burning hot steering wheels, scolding leather seats on bare skin, and the worst of all: the burning seatbelt buckle. Even the seatbelt themselves can get very uncomfortable. The burns are rarely serious but you will definitely hear someone cry out in shock and pain when they grab that seatbelt buckle!
Magpie Swoop
A terrifying thought that crosses every Australian’s mind, is the brutal and unsuspected seasonal swooping from Magpies protecting their nests in the springtime. Some magpies have no trouble making contact with their sharp beaks and are known to cause some decent injuries. Make sure you wear your bike helmet or stay clear of known magpie nesting areas in spring. So terrifying are magpie swoops in fact, that we even have a whole separate blog post on the flying danger birds.
Magpies love picking a fight with unsuspecting bike riders!
Image credit to News.com.au 2020
The ‘Hundred Yard Dash’
There’s something about heat in Australia that really brings out the big ones. Australian children often grow up with, or nearby, a swimming pool. Water sports and pools are part of our national culture as well as being an essential component of summer survival. Yet, there remains a series of potential injuries surrounding the pool – and we do mean surrounding. Every Aussie knows the pain of kicking their shoes off and walking to the pool’s edge, only to realise very quickly that hot summer sun has now transformed the pool tiles, deck, or surrounding surface into an impromptu game of ‘the floor is lava’ and now running for your life is the only option. Fear not, as relief soon follows once you reach the water and dive in out of sheer reflex.
Bondi Rescues
Drowning is a very serious reoccurring tragedy in Australia. With so many beaches, private pools, and swimming locations, Australia sees many drowning incidents every year, making it one of the more severe problems facing the populations. Despite this, there always appears to be an increase of water-related rescues around popular tourist beaches. Just about everyone on the planet has heard of the famous TV show ‘Bondi Rescue’ and knows what we are talking about. Every summer, hundreds and thousands of visitors take on Bondi Beach. Whether it’s simply to see the famous lifeguards, or take a dip in our warm waters, tourists and international visitors tend to frequently find themselves in trouble and needing rescue due to the unpredictable and dangerous waters. Add the scorching heat and rowdy crowds, and there are sure to be injuries.
Bindi-Eye
You thought Australian injuries were limited to silly animals or the surf? Think you’ll be safe minding your own business in your backyard? Think again! The classic childhood trauma of the ‘bindi’ is something that echoes through the generations. It has many different names around Australia, but this common backyard weed is found throughout lawns, schools, and playing fields everywhere, and unless noticed beforehand, little bare feet will be running across and getting the sharp barbs stuck in their skin, shortly followed by a sharp warning cry of ‘BINDIS!’
Kangaroo Smack-Attack
Sure, they may be cute and cuddly when they are babies, but nothing comes close to the sheer size and muscular appearance of the fully grown male kangaroo. The commonly seen eastern grey kangaroo can grow up to two metres of pure muscle and are capable of aggressive attacks against humans and other animals with deadly consequences. When tourists come to Australia, they are introduced to these very sweet but young ‘roos’ in wildlife parks and zoos, but aren’t often educated in the fully grown kangaroos that aren’t usually seen in captivity. Kangaroos out in the bush are best kept at a safe distance, especially the large makes who show aggressive or confrontational posture when approached.
Australia is undoubtably a breathtakingly beautiful place, but like everywhere, it comes with its own set of dangers and unique injuries that may not be very common elsewhere in the world. From our animals to our geography, extra caution must be taken when living or visiting here to ensure your safety, and that of our environment. Injuries can be serious here, but it’s also important to have a laugh and enjoy the stunning country around us, while appreciating its unique and endearing qualities that make it such a popular destination.
