As children, most of us were fascinated by animals. Even girls used to like dogs, and some even liked frogs and snakes, at one point in our childhood.

Of late, I had been coming across posts about strange animals being discovered. Today, I came across this post on the most dangerous creatures on earth.

If you’ve been stung by a jellyfish on one of your frolics in the ocean and thought it the nastiest thing to have happened to you, I wonder how much nastier it would feel for a person who has stepped on that stone fish above?

According to the blog post where I found this list of scary animals, the sting from the stonefish’s spines is so painful, that those who have been stung “begged to have their limbs amputated rather than live with it [the needles, in their skin] for another moment.”

How painful would that have been, if victims would rather choose amputation over waiting for death.

Wait. Back up. If those are my choices, I’m never going into the ocean ever again!

Well, unless I can see through to the bottom, and I am sure that the beach had been “overly humanized” to the point that flora and fauna could no longer survive, I am thinking twice about going to the beach.

But if you and your family were looking forward to some sand and surf, you can take the following measures, in case of jellyfish “accidents.” I don’t think anyone would be stepping on some lethal stonefish anytime, right?

  • Carry the following to the beach with you:
    • Activated Charcoal
    • Alcohol
    • Vinegar
    • Baking Soda
    • Vitamin C Capsules

These could help you deal with jellyfish stings. Activated charcoal is reportedly a poison antidote, which draws out the jellyfish venom and collects it on the skin. Alcohol to disinfect, while vinegar is a known remedy for the stings. Baking Soda also helps relieve the sting, while Vitamin C capsules are applied because of its acidic properties.

Hot water may relieve the pain, and according to the comments on this post, a heat blast from a hair dryer may arrest the venom.

But if you want to buy something specifically made for jellyfish stings, there is the Safe Sea lotion specifically made for protection against jellyfish stings.

Well, the sand and surf calls y’all now, I presume. Be safe!

Inspiration and Photo Credits:

http://www.darkroastedblend.com

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One Response

  1. Gasznne

    15|May|2008

    Hi,

    Does vinegar and Stingose helps when a person is stung by a stonefish. Apart from hot water treatment, can we apply vinegar or stingose immediately before giving hot water treatment?

    Cheers!


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