Bites And Stings From Marine Creatures

Only the most dangerous marine creatures are described here. There are many other types of stinging and biting sea creatures, including sharks. In general, bites and stings should be bathed with hand hot water, and then a cold compress should be applied to relieve pain. If swelling and pain become worse, or if muscle weakness or other symptoms develop, seek medical aid without delay. Cuts and scratches from shells and coral are prone to become infected. Clean them with antiseptic, and if swelling, redness, pain or infection develops, see your doctor.

Warning

Never walk barefoot through tropical waters or around reefs. when wading through shallow water, shuffle your feet through the sand; most biting creatures, especially those that rest on the sandy bottom, will flee if their surroundings are disturbed.

Box jellyfish (marine stinger, sea wasp)

These live in tropical waters around northern Australia. Because they breed in river mouths, they are only found close to the shore. Their fully grown bodies are as big as a 9 litre bucket. The tentacles that stream from the bottom of the body are covered with millions of stinging capsules.

when a swimmer bumps into this jellyfish, the thin, ribbon-like tentacles tear off, stick to the victim's skin and inject their poison into the body. An extensive sting can be lethal, but antivenom is available.

Signs and symptoms

• intense pain
• purplish red welts on the skin
• dizziness
• confusion
• breathing difficulty
• unconsciousness
• breathing and circulation failure

First aid treatment

1. Pour vinegar (never methylated spirits), if available, over the affected area of the body. This kills the tentacles so that they can be lifted off by your fingers without injecting more poison. Do not rub them off.
2. If the victim is or becomes unconscious, place him or her in the lateral position, check the airway, breathing and pulse and begin expired air resuscitation (EAR) or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if necessary. Continue to monitor breathing and circulation.
3. Pressure immobilisation can be applied to stung limbs to slow down the movement of venom, but only where vinegar has been applied. Never apply pressure immobilisation over untreated stung skin because this may cause the injection of more venom.
4. Seek medical aid urgently.

Warning

Always check with local authorities whether it is safe to swim in tropical waters. Look for tropical stinger warning signs on beaches.

Blue bottle (Pacific or Portuguese man-of-war)

This common jellyfish is found in warm seas around the world. The arrival of blue bottles in summer closes many beaches. The bright blue bodies carry tentacles up to 10 m long. Contact with tentacles can cause a painful sting, but nowhere near as painful or dangerous as the sting of the box jellyfish.

First aid treatment

• When someone has just been stung, wash off the tentacles with sea water (tests have shown that water works better than vinegar). If the tentacles have dried, however, do not,apply sea, water or vinegar as this may cause the injection of more venom.
• Apply a cold compress to relieve pain, even if there are dried tentacles on the skin.
• If pain persists, or if the victim develops any symptoms and signs similar to those resulting from box jellyfish sting, seek medical aid immediately.

Blue-ringed octopus and cone shelf

The blue-ringed octopus is found in rock pools around the entire Australian coastline. It has dull yellow-brown bands and blue circles on its body and tentacles; when it is disturbed its colors darken and the rings become bright peacock-blue. This octopus is only about 20 cm across when its tentacles are spread out. Because it is small and attractive, children may be tempted to pick one up. They should be warned not to do this, and not to put their fingers in rockpool crevices or in empty soft drink cans found on the sea bed or in rock pools.

The blue-ringed octopus will only bite if it is picked up or otherwise disturbed, and its bite is often painless. Cone shell bites are generally very painful. The venom of both has the same effects. It is potent and works rapidly. No antivenom is available.

Signs and symptoms

• blurred vision
• progressive muscular weakness and paralysis
• difficulty in swallowing and breathing
• unconsciousness, breathing failure

First aid treatment

1. Apply pressure immobilisation if a limb is affected.
2. Send for urgent medical aid, but do not leave the casualty unattended.
3. If breathing is affected, apply expired air resuscitation (EAR), and continue until medical help arrives.