Bluebottle stings

[GeoffW1]

Hi,

Here we are, many of us, about to head off on holidays to the beach. I've been reading about marine stingers of various types.

One of the most common in Oz of course is the bluebottle, especially on the East Coast.

I saw that there has been much research on the best first aid in the last 2-3 years, and recommendations have changed radically:

http://www.ambulance.nsw.gov.au/docs/factsheets/090730bluebottle.pdf

..however there is still a lot of confusion out there about it.

Apparently the bluebottle is NOT a box jellyfish (for box jellyfish stings use lots of vinegar as quickly as possible) and for the bluebottle, vinegar is NOT recommended anymore.

Hot water is best for a bluebottle sting, bath or shower, and if that is unavailable, ice packs.

I hope none of us has to try this out :thumbsup:.

A great Xmas to everyone, thanks for being out there :hi:.

Cheers

[Liz]

Thanks Geoff ... yes, a very timely warning to be careful along the Qld East coast, for those nasty stingers!!
Up our way we dont pop our toes into the water from about early MAy to end of October depending on the amount of jellyfish around.
A girl got bitten recently by a box jelly (i Think) in some freshwater!! A cause to worry - she was very crook, and went into cardiac arrest, but is now luckily stable.
Be aware of first aid, as Geoff says.

[Ric]

I saw that poor girl on the news last night, I think she was very lucky that the quick thinking campers were nearby and her father knew first aid.

[gary]

ABC News reports she is in a stable condition but will be in hospital for another
week. She came in contact with the box jellyfish near Gladstone and the experience
was described as "traumatic".

See http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/12/24/2779977.htm

Certainly the box jellyfish is in a different league compared to the blue bottle
and can result in death or horrific welts. Reputedly some species have among the most deadly
toxins in the animal kingdom. As Liz reports, without taking precautions, it is unwise
to swim in the waters of the northern parts of Australia during box jellyfish season.
Some Queensland beaches have netted enclosures to help protect swimmers but
it is wise to check the condition of the netting before venturing in.

[DavidU]

I have been stung on the hand years ago while Marlin fishing so I can only imaging how it would hurt over a large part of your body.:eyepop:

[Benno18]

We have them over here (stingers and box jellies). We were always told as kids if we got stung by a stinger to pee on the sting!!!! If the sting was in a self peeing area of the body :)

[Liz]

Yes, we have quite a few swimming enclosures here in Townsville (though not Planet Pandora) but they cant keep out the teeny weeny irikanje (?sp)...... certainly better off in the old pool over the Summer.
I went swimming over on Msagnetic Island many years ago, and remember getting little nips over my legs and arms, and didnt realise at the time they were stingers.
Lots of different types, and not all dangerous.

[GeoffW1]

I remember that being the recommendation for a snake-bite victim in a first-aid course I did in 1976:

"Wash the bite area by any means, even with urine if necessary"

We all burst out laughing when some wag muttered "Bloody typical, it's step1: piss on the victim"

Cheers

[Inmykombi]

Hi all,
Being a volunteer in the SURFLIFESAVING Association of Australia ,I know thee is a wealth of information on their web-site that can help us all.
Here is a link to info on Bluebottle stings.

http://www.slsa.asn.au/default.aspx?s=_newsarticle&id=596

They can be nasty and seem to affect people in different ways.
Please read and stay safe on our beaches this summer.

Cheers.

Geoffro.

[erick]

At the risk of scaring the kiddies - "been there, done that"!

Qld beach - a few summers ago.

Ouch! :(

[GeoffW1]

Jeez....that was a powerful flash on the camera:D:D:D

[erick]

Ah, no - that actually is my colour - lily white :D