Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
BITES
Mostmarineanimalsarenotinterestedinhumanbeings.Themajorityofbites
are in self defence. The primary concern for the first aider is to control bleeding and
minimise the risk of infection. Sharks and moray eels are the two animals that could
attack swimmers or divers on the reef, as well as titan triggerfish during the nesting
season; the titan is up to 75cm long and will defend her nest ferociously.
• Control bleeding by applying firm bandages or strips of cloth.
• Clean wound and flood with lots of water to minimise infection.
• Seek medical advice.
RAY, SCORPIONFISH, LIONFISH AND STONEFISH STINGS
Symptoms in-
clude immediate pain, laceration, nausea, vomiting, shock, swelling and occasionally
collapse. This situation is one where good first aid will help more than anything doc-
tors can offer.
• Immerse wound in hot water (43-45°C) for 30-90 minutes. The stung body part will be
so painful that you won't be able to tell whether the water is too hot, so use a non-stung
hand to check that the water isn't likely to scald.
• Repeat the immersion if pain recurs; it may be necessary to top up the water, but remove
affected limb from the water before doing so.
• Remove any visible pieces of the stinger and irrigate vigorously with fresh water.
• Once the worst of the pain has subsided get someone to clean and dress the wound.
• Over the next few days look out for spreading redness, throbbing and/or fever; these
symptoms imply infection which will need antibiotic treatment.
STINGS FROM FIRE CORAL, ANEMONE, HYDROID OR JELLYFISH
Anemones are beautiful creatures that live amongst the coral and have stinging
tentacles. Oftensmall clownfishwill live amongst these tentacles, protected byamu-
couslayerontheirskin.Brushingagainstanycoralwillgiveanastyabrasionwhichis
inflamed and slow to heal. Fire coral looks like coral, but on closer examination there
are fine stinging cells. Hydroids are small marine creatures, that look like plants, also
withstingingcells.Jellyfisharecommonlyencounteredwhilstdivingorswimmingin
tropical waters and often do not sting; they may cause minor skin irritation. If stung
by any of these:
• Rinse with seawater (not fresh water).
• If the stinger was a box jellyfish there will be characteristic cross-hatched tentacle-prints
on the skin surface and irrigation with vinegar will inactivate the stingers. Vinegar actu-
