can you regulars tell me how common these unseen jelly fish stings are.I got some in 1986 (pre kids) and I'm coming back in 10 days and wondering how common this is as my (whimpy) kids are coming with me. PS. what is the best stuff to put on these stings..Thanks ron

So far have not had any problem with jellyfish stings in Bonaire, fire coral is a different matter. The best way to avoid it them completely is to wear a full length dive skin. The dive skin also avoids the need for tons of suntan lotion that gets washed off.

Ron,

The "unseen" stings are usually jellyfish larvae and although unpleasant, the affects usually abate in a few minutes. The fastest relief is either Windex or an accross the counter sting relief, available at almost every diveshop. If you are in the water at sunset you may (it has to do with time of the year and phase of the moon, etc.) meet the "Sea Wasp". Although small is size, this little devil rises from the depths and can cause serious discomfort. Treatment (unless one has an allergic reaction) is the same. Part of my dive box, no matter where I dive, is a tube of sting relief.

Justathought - try not to rub the affected area or rinse in fresh water as this causes the stinging cells to "fire"

Herman,

The best way to avoid fire coral stings is to avoid contact with any/all things in the water. Fire coral can almost everywhere, including cement mooring blocks and steel pier piling.

fire coral also is in the mooring lines. The Bonaire Marine Park rules do permit use of a glove while going up/down the mooring lines.

White Vinegar is also recommended for jellyfish stings, but a dive skin or thin, full length wetsuit is a good idea.

The lycra dive skins are the best prevention and you can find them in the shops on Bonaire.

Ron -

You might wish to get a more detailed description of the "unseen jellyfish" about which you ask.

Snorkeling in March, we encountered what was described as extremely small jellyfish that looked like strings of beads (we never could see them). When we hit a batch of them, it felt like swimming through very mild mosquitos and the stinging effect lasted no more than 5 seconds for us. They never itched enough to scratch and we had no whelps or bumps later. Others might have reacted differently.

The point being, there is a huge difference (as I suspect you know) in the severity of sting the many varities of jellyfish deliver.

In three trips at different times of the year we've snorkeled quite a bit on Bonaire and only this last March have we felt anything at all. And that was sporadic and it was such a "non-event" we actually had forgotten about it until I read your note.

I'll bet you and the kids do just fine, but I am pleased you (and we) learned effective sting treatments.

Charles Poteet
Dallas

The "strings of beads" that Charles mentions are the jelly fish we encountered recently in Klein Bonaire. The severity of the reactions seemed to be connected to the length of the string and where on the body it struck. My most severe sting was inner upper arm, resulting a row of small puss filled welts. Pain abated in about an hour. A woman in a wet suit was unlucky enough to be stung about the mouth and chin. Another young woman was so shocked and scared she had to be escorted ashore to walk back to the boat. I myself would not take kids to Klein Bonaire for this reason -- it is not so much the stings themselves, which are evidently harmless and don't hurt for very long -- it is the shock factor. (Just my opinion). We each were stung once by what we thought must be the same fish at Lac Bay. Other than that, no problems.

There is a product available now to put on before entering the water to prevent jellyfish stings. I wonder if this long string is the Picture Alan posted from the archives the other day that looked like, well, quite a long string with dots.

I have been to Bonaire five times now and I snorkel at Kline daily on the Woodwind trips. This past March was the first time we ever encountered jellyfish and they are pesty for sure. I bought a skin and that was all it took to keep the little creatures from bugging me. Renee also said that they showed up about a month earlier than normal.

Jelly Stings and Things.

I have been researching jellies (jellyfish) for several years. Living in south Florida we have a whole spectrum of jellies that sting from "no-problem mon to big-time toxicity".

I am on Bonaire (in is a better preposition) as I write. This is my 25th trip since 1966. I can assure you Bonaire has only intermittant problems with a couple of species of jellies. These range from siphnophores to moon jellies to man-o-war to sea wasps. All the Caribbean faces these critters from time-to-time. The Bahamas are really suffering from sea lice right now.

In my years on Bonaire only a few dangerous jellies have ever emerged. And yes they were serious, but on the whole, Bonairean waters are EXTREMELY jelly-safe. As proposed in this thread earlier, fear and shock are bigger problems then the actual stings.

Treatment for jelly stings is both misunderstood and mistreated. Without all the scientific mumbo-jumbo jellies can be more toxic from year-to-year, and certainly do affect different people differently. Clear to all, should be the understanding that repeated stings, like bee stings or fire ant stings, animals inject toxins that are histamines and can create reactions, and like Hymenopteran (bees)stings, humans develop sensitivity to the stings and that can be more of a problem, allergy-wise with future stings. This quantitative and qualitative effect in a very small subset of people can lead to anaphylaxis and need emergency medical treatment in the hospital. So if you or your water buddy appears to be having a reaction, pronto get them some medical help.

So what about the rest of the stings and how do you treat them. That is a not a simple answer. Around the world different remedies are now in formulation. Israelis have isolated the immune protein the anemone clown fish have towards anemones and manufactured the proteins. They created a product called Sea Safe that is a both a suntan product and a jellyfish repellant. I suggest this is a buyer-beware scenario since it is not possible to coat the entire body and no tests for duration have been estimated. The clinicals on these products show promise, but is not conclusive, nor tested with the most toxic jellies like sea wasps and other Cubomedusae. Personally, I think this is a clever idea but still unproven. I mention Sea Safe because it was mentioned earlier.

To be sure no clinicals or proof is in evidence for treating stings with urea, beer, vinegar, ammonia, nail polish remover, alkaloids, alcohol, gasoline, or fresh water. I would never suggest their use. This is an incomplete list of substances already tried. Vingear, btw, will actually accelerate stings and toxins injection with some species of jellies. There is a battery of other products from exotic coating oils to crushed nuts in a menthol/camphor creme to other numbing sting products. These have never had clinicals or scientific testing. The numbing products may be helpful with insect stings to reduce the pain, but always be concerned about other reactions.

Ice packs on the areas stung is effective in many cases. Removal of the source of the stings is important, these are the dermis-penetrating nematocysts, which are like micro-hyperdermic needles. Many stings sites also have numerous unreleased nematocysts. So exfoliating and cleaning the area is important.

As mentioned, most stings will go away in a short time. Stings are wounds and like treating a burn, the severity may need additional treatment to help healing. This is in the post-sting time where the wound is healing and may scar if not treated properly. Skin, after all, is skin and a very complex organ that covers your body.

For BTers headed to Bonaire, I am leaving some other jelly(fish), fire coral, fireworms first aid treatment and well-testd products you are welcome to. Jake and I are in discussion about the best way to organize a BT-based study, but for those concerned about swimming in the waters off Bonaire and stings take some with you and follow the instructions.

Until then, happy swimming, and take those kids to Klein Bonaire by all means.

From Bonaire.

Bud Gillan

Wow Bud, very informative, I had known that fresh water would accelerate jellyfish stings, but not vinegar, Thank You.

So, basically, nothings any good is what you are telling us, Bud.

Windex still works !!! If ya don't believe me go see "My Big Fat Greek Wedding"

Bud, how can I get my hands on this dive medicine information you mention? I would be most interested, having once suffered greatly from fire coral on my knee - my first dive trip to Cozumel 12 years ago I knelt (is that a word?) on some concealed fire coral in a sandy shallow. It spread and spread.... There is little knowledge of this in my (Greater Toronto) area. My doctor Rx'd hydrocortisone which was useless. In the end, I abrided and disinfected the involved area myself and it finally turned the corner. We haven't worn shorties since. BTW, I have used meat tenderizer on jellyfish stings and it seemed to work.

This information is directly from NAUI & Diver Alert Network

Identifying and Treating Jellyfish Stings

Q: What is the best way to care for a jellyfish sting?

A: Jellyfish describes an enormous number of marine animals capable of inflicting a painful, and occasionally life-threatening, sting. These include fire coral, hydroids, jellyfishes (including "sea wasps") and anemones. The stings occur when the victim comes into contact with the creature's tentacles or other appendages, which may carry millions of small stinging cells, each equipped with venom and a microscopic stinger.
Depending on the species, size, geographic location, time of year and other natural factors, stings can range in severity from mild burning and skin redness to excruciating pain and severe blistering with generalized illness (nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, muscle spasm and low blood pressure). Broken-off tentacles that are fragmented in the surf or washed up on the beach can retain their toxicity for months and should not be handled, even if they appear to be dried out and withered.

The dreaded box jellyfish (Chironex fleckeri) of northern Australia contains one of the most potent animal venoms known to man. A sting from one of these creatures can induce death in minutes from cessation of breathing, abnormal heart rhythms and profound low blood pressure (shock).

The Treatment

BE PREPARED TO TREAT AN ALLERGIC REACTION FOLLOWING A JELLYFISH STING. If possible, carry an allergy kit, including injectable epinephrine (adrenaline) and an oral antihistamine.

The following therapy is recommended for all unidentified jellyfish and other creatures with stinging cells:

If the sting is believed to be from the box jellyfish (Chironex fleckeri), immediately flood the wound with vinegar (5 percent acetic acid). Keep the victim as still as possible. Continuously apply the vinegar until the victim can be brought to medical attention. If you are out at sea or on an isolated beach, allow the vinegar to soak the tentacles or stung skin for 10 minutes before attempting to remove adherent tentacles or to further treat the wound. In Australia, surf lifesavers (lifeguards) may carry antivenin, which is given as an intramuscular injection a first aid measure.

For all other stings, if a topical decontaminant (e.g., vinegar, isopropyl [rubbing] alcohol, one-quarter-strength household ammonia or baking soda) is available, apply it liberally onto the skin. If it is a liquid, continuously soak a compress. (Be advised that some authorities advise against the use of alcohol because of scientific evaluations that have revealed that some nematocysts discharge because of this chemical's application.) Since not all jellyfish are identical, it is extremely helpful to know ahead of time what works for the stingers in your specific geographic location.
Apply the decontaminant for 30 minutes or until pain is relieved. A paste made from unseasoned meat tenderizer (do not exceed 15 minutes' application time, particularly upon the sensitive skin of small children) or papaya fruit may be helpful. Do not apply any organic solvent, such as kerosene, turpentine or gasoline.

Until the decontaminant is available, you may rinse the skin with sea water. Do not simply rinse the skin gently with fresh water or apply ice directly to the skin. A brisk freshwater stream (forceful shower) may have sufficient force to physically remove the microscopic stinging cells, but non-forceful application is more likely to cause the cells to fire, increasing the envenomation. A non-moist ice or cold pack may be useful to diminish pain, but take care to wipe away any surface moisture (condensation) prior to the application.


After decontamination, apply a lather of shaving cream or soap and shave the affected area with a razor. In a pinch, you can use a paste of sand or mud in sea water and a clamshell.

Reapply the primary decontaminant for 15 minutes.

Apply a thin coating of hydrocortisone lotion (0.5 to 1 percent) twice a day. Anesthetic ointment (such as lidocaine hydrochloride 2.5 percent or a benzocaine-containing spray) may provide short-term pain relief.

If the victim has a large area involved (entire arm or leg, face, or genitals), is very young or very old, or shows signs of generalized illness (nausea, vomiting, weakness, shortness of breath or chest pain), seek help from a doctor. If a person has placed tentacle fragments in his mouth, have him swish and spit whatever potable liquid is available. If there is already swelling in the mouth (muffled voice, difficulty swallowing, enlarged tongue and lips), do not give anything by mouth, protect the airway and rapidly transport the victim to a hospital.
For more information on marine life injuries, see the complete article by Paul S. Auerbach, M.D., M.S. on Marine Life Trauma from the Jan/Feb 1998 issue of Alert Diver.

Cnidarian Stings and Solutions.

Todd's posting of 5 year old DAN info shows the variety of suggested solutions from some time ago. Paul Auerbach, a noted wilderness physician, et al, continue to revise first aid treatments for jelly stings. Consensus, to be sure, is still being reached. It turns out there are more types of venoms and cocktails of venom in different species of jellies and Cnidarian stings (like hydroids, fire coral). The only antivenin(om) effectively developed to date is for Australia's lethal box jelly, Chironex, and this is species specific. Another antivenin for the tiny Irukandji jellies that killed to 2 divers in Australia is now being researched.

There is actually a fairly basic problem with jelly stings. The pain from many types of stings will go away in a matter of minutes regardless of what they are treated with. Many of the most painful stings only last a few minutes. But this is also where the problem comes in. Pain is pain and most people don't see or don't know what they have been stung by or how toxic the animal is. As a result, many sting "solutions" seem to work, but in reality, the pain would go away soon anyway.

Bits and Pieces.
Added to this mix is the mindset and fear factor of the event, which can be more dangerous than the sting itself. But it is not the short-term stings that are the main concern (except for the build-up of histamines and potential allergans), it is the more serious stings, often undifferentiated, that are the real concern, and why treatment gets more complex.

Today, I don't know any informed medical professional that subscribes to scraping sting wounds with clamshells or credit cards or rub bacteria-laden sand in the sting, for example. There is global disagreement on what solution to use to "fix" or incapacitate unfired nematocysts. There is consensus that fresh water should not be used, though many medical and first aid treatment websites and publications still state to use it.

Discussions with the DAN folks over the past few years we know of their concern to provide the best information to their members and that they are interested in jelly stings, but this is not high on their totem pole.

I don't want to repeat the basic recommendations made earlier. In turns out jellyfish and Cnidarian weaponry and chemistry is much more complex than originally thought. Like the jellies themselves that many scientists no longer consider colonies of isolated cells, but highly organized organisms with sophisticated genetics. They are even showing up on some sushi bars. Of course they are carnivores.

Bud

Does any one know if you are as likely to run into jelly fish etc while snorkeling more or less than when diving?

The risk is higher while you are snorkling, because you don't see them that well. Most of the yellies also float near the surface. But is has never been a problem in Bonaire. Most of the yelly fish don't sting. On our last trip (three weeks ago), we saw zero yelly fish.

They are also more likely to appear at night, generally around 10 days after the full moon...

Jake

Ha! Jake. We've never had a problem getting stung. The only thing you have worry about is getting cut on coral which is why you look and don't touch aside from the enviormental reasons.
Charlie Vaughn