If helping, take care not to get between mothers and calves, and beware of larger animals rolling onto you if working close to them. If it is going to be a while, whales and dolphins need to be kept damp. Wet cloths are a great help for keeping the skin cool and the sun off, but take care not to cover, or get water, in the blowhole. Do not try to refloat animals yourself as they need help to regain their balance before being led to the safety of deeper water. If you find a single animal beached with others coming in, try scaring them off with noise or by banging rocks together underwater.
Seals come ashore frequently along the New Zealand coastline to rest.
Just because it is on land does not mean it is sick. Seals do NOT need to be kept wet like whales and dolphins. Be very careful and keep your distance, seals can move fast on land and have a dangerous bite. Signs of sickness include shaking and vomiting. Again, just because a bird is on the beach does not mean that it is sick.