It is tricky to figure out what is the best way to deal with a noxious marine encounter -say one's bodypart and a jellyfish tentacle. Since the fall of the Third Reich it has been hard for researchers to find out, in a controlled fashion, what eases pain best when poured on a tentacle draped forearm. There is a tendency to accept and pass on as truth the advice of those who most often encounter the problem, say surf lifeguards, or those who write the first aid and wilderness medicine books we study. Without controlled studies, though, we are likely to pass on the unproven "truth" we've read or heard from these "legitimate" sources. It seems that treatment of Jellyfish envenomation has two primary goals: 1) removal of and inactivation of any stinging cells on a tentacle that may not yet have "fired" and injected toxin into one's skin and 2) relief of the pain and systemic effects that already "fired" cells may have produced. It appears to be generally accepted that rinsing a "stung" area with sea water (as opposed to fresh water) is a good first step. Rubbing of the area is thought to be poor form. Regarding the application of some later substance such as vinegar, baking soda, alcohol, meat tenderizer or urine, there is less consensus. And it may be that different coelenterate stinging cells respond differently. Regardless, it may be useful after flooding with vinegar (if available) to mechanically remove any remaining cells with a sand or mud seawater paste or whatever else may be available. There is an antivenin available (to the lucky ones) for the Australian Box Jellyfish but since death can reportedly occur within 60 seconds of contact the antivenin is not always useful. We in the western hemisphere are unlikely to encounter anything worse than the Man of War (which is noxious indeed) but not so deadly as a box jelly. It appears that the best treatment is not completely understood but removing the tentacles mechanically with sea water and possibly applying vinegar, if available, afterwards is about as much good as can be done initially. Larry Koenig www.lacostadelgolfo.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Sat Mar 23 2002 - 21:18:03 PST
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