Jelly Fish Stings and other
Marine Life First Aid

Apart from Jelly fish stings there are a whole host of other sea creatures you can get stung by. Stings from marine life hurt but usually aren't deadly, there are a few exceptions.

Here is a list of a variety of marine life that can cause bites or stings:

Barracudas
Catfish
Coral
Cone shell
Electric eels
Hydroid
Jellyfish
Moray eels
Portugal Man-of-War
Sea urchins
Sea anemone
Sharks
Stingray

Symptoms:

Localised Symptoms

Pain
Swelling
Redness
Cuts and bleeding

Generalised Symptoms

Armpit or groin pain
Cramps
Fever
Sweating
Nausea and/or vomiting
Dizziness, weakness, fainting
Difficulty breathing
Paralysis

First Aid Treatment

Keep the patient quiet and still
Remove the stingers. If possible wear gloves so you will not get stung as well
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 neutralise certain types of stings with vinegar or a meat tenderiser mixed in a water solution
DO NOT attempt to remove the stingers without protecting your hands
DO NOT raise the affected 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 what about pain relief

Seek immediate medical help if....

the patient has any of the above 'generalizsed symptoms'
there is uncontrollable bleeding. If medical help is not at hand go to First Aid for Uncontrolled Bleeding
there is any difficulty breathing. Start CPR if breathing ceases
the sting occurred on the face, chest or genitals

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Box Jelly Fish photo courtesy of Wikipedia