As thousands of visitors prepare to descend on the Destin-Fort Walton Beach area for spring break, HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital’s trauma team is highlighting safety concerns based on patterns they’ve observed in previous tourist seasons.
- The hospital reported 1,538 trauma cases in 2024, with a notable decrease to 944 cases during winter months when fewer visitors are in the area.
“We want you to come to Destin-Fort Walton Beach and enjoy your time here. We love tourists and we want you to have a good time,” said Dr. William Hunt, a trauma surgeon who joined the hospital last August. “But at the same time, please respect the laws. Don’t be somebody different when you come down here.”
Hunt said the mid-twenties age group accounts for most major trauma cases during spring break.
- “For natural reasons, you’re a little bit more daring. You feel invincible,” Hunt said. “You’re on spring break, and you’re forgetting about the normal rules that you would abide by elsewhere.”
Among the biggest concerns are injuries from street-legal golf carts, which have become increasingly popular in the area.
“People treat them like a golf cart and not like a vehicle,” Hunt said. “They are a vehicle. They’re not a golf cart on a golf course.”
Shallow water diving injuries represent another significant danger, particularly in popular spots like Crab Island.
- “It’s shallow here and people don’t realize that. They think, ‘I’m going to the ocean. The ocean’s deep,'” Hunt said. “If you dive head first and you’re not paying attention, unfortunately, we do see some pretty devastating spinal cord injuries.”
The rehabilitation outlook for these injuries varies widely – from wearing a cervical collar for six to eight weeks to permanent paralysis.
“Unfortunately, sometimes the injuries are so devastating that no matter what we do with all of the modern medicine that we have, we can’t fix it,” Hunt said.
Alcohol consumption significantly increases trauma risks, Hunt noted, particularly with falls from heights, motor vehicle accidents, and water-related incidents.
- “When somebody comes into our trauma bay impaired, we generally can’t rely on their neurological exam, and it also distracts from the rest of the exam on their body,” Hunt said.
Hunt emphasized that split-second decisions during spring break can have lifelong consequences, including severe sunburns.
“If you have five blistering sunburns between the ages of 15 and 20, studies show you have an 80% increase in your risk of melanoma,” Hunt said. “The decisions that you make this week can have a lifelong impact on you.”
- The hospital offers a free Stop the Bleed class on Wednesday, April 16 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., which teaches basic bleeding control techniques using everyday items like towels or belts. Registration is required.
Hunt also praised local first responders who work closely with the hospital’s trauma team.
“Our local first responders are first class. They’re ready to take care of people expertly,” Hunt said. “Without first responders, my job is nearly obsolete as a trauma surgeon.”
For patients requiring continued care, the hospital offers support through its Trauma Survivor Network program.
- “We want you to have a good time here in Destin-Fort Walton Beach and we want you to have fun,” said Hunt. “But if you do get injured, we’re here to take care of you.”
