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Walter & Group...
[GH] For those of you who might plan a trip to fish the salt in Northern Australia, it is important to note an apparent contradiction in the recommendations for early on-site treatment of certain marine stings.
This holds true for injuries from certain jellyfish in these waters known as Box Jellyfish and the tiny but sometimes deadly irukandji jellyfish.
Recently, these species have produced injuries in waters far from Australia; even in California and Florida. Though only isolated reports from these other areas exist, so far, concern over spread to these and other cooler waters is feared.
Recommendations for first aid for these particular stings from Ward Nicholas of Australia :
Hi Gordy
In Australia if you are not medically trained, for box jellyfish and irukandgi we flood with vinegar and then get to medical attention is paramount. We have to follow first aid procedures first unless medically trained. For other stingers usually flooding with cold water works and then onto medical treatment. I hope this helps from the land down under.
Ward
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[GH] Ward,
Yes !!!
Up to now, we've learned to apply heat to deactivate some of the poison of jellyfish stings. That advice holds true for most of those injuries.
The Box Jellyfish and the tiny Irukandji, however, yield much more serious injuries since they inject a poison which is not only irritating to the skin, but far more importantly, produces severe systemic (injury to the whole body) damage sometimes yielding agonizing pain, shock, convulsions and even resulting in death. Some have labelled that, "Irukandji syndrome". *
Here, first aid treatment is best directed at delaying and minimizing the spread of the poison to the deep tissues and circulation of the patient. Vinegar does help, but only by deactivating some of the surface poison. Expeditious transfer to a hospital is important so that life sustaining measures may be quickly begun even though there is no definitive treatment since specific antivenin has not yet been developed.
SO: When you didn't mention the use of heat you are probably correct that heat should NOT be applied to these stings, because it will increase the skin circulation and hasten the devastating spread of the toxin. This is why COLD , not heat, is best used. Vinegar and Ice ( if available) or cold water until the injured can be transferred to a medical facility. This method may even help prevent severe system collapse and death.
That is what was taught me by an experienced dive master and certified first aid instructor on a dive trip to the Great Barrier Reef.
*
Gordy
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