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First Aid for Stings:
Marine Life
There is a whole host of sea creatures that can sting you. Stings from marine life hurt but aren't deadly there are a few exceptions. Listed below you will find a varity of sea life and the injuries they can cause, symptoms and first aid treatment.
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Causes
- Jellyfish
- Portugal Man-of-War
- Stingray
- Catfish
- Sea urchins
- Sea anemone
- Hydroid
- Coral
- Cone shell
- Moray eels
- Barracudas
- Sharks
- Electric eels
Symptoms
Localized Symptoms
- Pain
- Swelling
- Redness
- Cuts and bleeding
Generalized Symptoms
- Armpit or groin pain
- Cramps
- Fever
- Sweating
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, weakness, fainting
- Difficulty breathing
- Paralysis
First Aid Treatment
- Start with a practical informative book such as A Medical Guide to Hazardous Marine Life
- Keep the patient quiet and still
- Remove the stingers. If possible wear gloves
- Use a towel to wipe off tentacles and stingers
- Wash the area with salt water
- If instructed by a health professional soak the wound in hot water. As hot as the patient can tolerate for 30-90 minutes
- You may be instructed to neutralize certain types of stings with vinegar or a meat tenderizer and water solution
- DO NOT attempt to remove the stingers without protecting your hands
- DO NOT raise the affect body part higher then the heart
- DO NOT allow the patient to exercise
- DO NOT give any medication unless instructed to do so by a doctor
Seek immediate medical help if....
- The patient has any of the above 'generalized symptoms'
- There is uncontrollable bleeding
- There is any difficulty breathing
- The sting occurred on the face, chest or genitals
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