Woman dies from box jellyfish sting

[capt ric]

Im sure a bogan would happy to pee on u

[Seaworthy Lass]

Originally Posted by Yachticus

Things to be aware of in Australia - particularly around the northern parts of the coast line
box jelly fish (2 types) both can cause death
saltwater crocodiles - enough said about the salties
tiger sharks and /or bull sharks
sea snakes in May - most toxic known - but little chance of biting through your wetsuit
stone fish - again - potentially lethal to humans
blue ringed octopus - again - lethal to humans
blue spotted rays - highly venomous
last but not least - mosquitoes - fair chance of catching Ross River fever which will knock the stuffing out of you for six months

You forgot White Pointers.
Both types can be deadly .

SWL

[Mirage Gecko]

Got rid of the Croc by throwing it some of the shark caught yesterday.
Bloody mossies and Ross River I still suffer from it 10 years on after the initial debilitating attack.
Bogans well they are certainly on the increase in most states and all weather conditions but with our gun laws I'm not sure how to get rid of them.

[blackswan555]

Had to look up Bogan This seems a reasonable description ? Bogan
A fascinating beast. The majority of the species are hideously repugnant and unintelligent, and yet they manage to breed in ever-increasing numbers and populate an area known as the outer west. It is quite common to find five or six offspring in each family group, often with a different father for each new baby.
Their habitat consists of a weatherboard or brick-veneer dwelling and is characterised by an early-model Holden or Ford in the driveway surrounded by a group of males discussing why the carby is stuffed and the results of last night's footy (a primitive gladiator-like spectator sport enjoyed by most bogans).
The female of the species, while smaller in stature, is far more loud and aggressive than the male. While the males tend to be very friendly and congregate with other males, the females spend most of their time in supermarkets and shopping malls, using a shrill high-pitched call to discipline their children and contact other females.
Males and females rarely interact socially except during breeding season, which is otherwise known as Friday night. During this time, females are allowed to enter the male-dominated area known as "the pub" and display their impressive coloured plumage to a prospective mate.
Herein lies an intersting phenomenon. Males will often fight over a particularly attractive female and she will mate with only one male, while some less attractive females have been known to have several partners simultaneously.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by minaret

One of the links I posted earlier states that current medical thinking is do NOT use vinegar for a box jelly sting. It can actually release more venom, making the situation worse. Regular jelly sting yes, box jelly no.

Was that link in this thread (I couldn't find it)?

Should We Stop Using Vinegar To Treat Box Jelly Stings?
Not Yet — Venom Experts Weigh In On Recent Study
➥ Should We Stop Using Vinegar To Treat Box Jelly Stings? Not Yet—Venom Experts Weigh In On Recent Study - Science Sushi

[Rustic Charm]

Originally Posted by capt ric

Im sure a bogan would happy to pee on u

ew!

[Rustic Charm]

Don't forget our Australian Drop Bears Thylarctos plummetus

Drop Bear - Australian Museum

[Cormorant]

I believe I will now descend into my bomb shelter and remain there for the rest of my given days. . . .

[Seaslug Caravan]

VINEGAR WORKS.

Always have it on hand when pulling in the anchor rode by hand.

Long time NT resident.

[capt ric]

what r mossies and what does ross river have to do with anything...hey what do u expect if u live in townsville

[minaret]

Originally Posted by GordMay

Was that link in this thread (I couldn't find it)?

Should We Stop Using Vinegar To Treat Box Jelly Stings?
Not Yet — Venom Experts Weigh In On Recent Study
➥ Should We Stop Using Vinegar To Treat Box Jelly Stings? Not Yet—Venom Experts Weigh In On Recent Study - Science Sushi

That entire post appears to have disappeared. It had a link to the study mentioned here, as well as this link.

Vinegar treatment for box jellyfish stings | St John NSW

[capt ric]

I cant believe we havent something better then vinegar for a sting...how bout mek that would kill anything and u could take a small dose no problem

[StuM]

Vinegar is about the lowest cost, comparatively safe, most widely available acid in the market.

What is the pH of MEK? Can you pick it up in any supermarket or small village trade store about anywhere in the world?

Note: the purpose is not to treat the sting, it is to wash the remaining unbroken nematocysts off the skin without rupturing them.

[sailcrux]

Originally Posted by StuM

Vinegar is about the lowest cost, comparatively safe, most widely available acid in the market.

What is the pH of MEK? Can you pick it up in any supermarket or small village trade store about anywhere in the world?

Note: the purpose is not to treat the sting, it is to wash the remaining unbroken nematocysts off the skin without rupturing them.

spot on, the vinegar does nothing for the pain or venom... it just is a safe way to rinse the unfired nematocysts (stinging cells) off your skin. seawater works just as well for rinsing, but doesnt neutralize the cells. freshwater (or any water with a vastly different salinity level) would cause the nematocysts to burst.

Some box jelly venom gets into the bloodstream very quickly (when ppl feel the pain all over, not just localized), so no topical treatment would help, only anti-venom. Additionally, just like bee stings, some people are allergic and have much more serious reaction like anaphylactic shock.

[hellosailor]

The ph of MEK...haha, sure, it makes great salad dressing too.
(Kids, don't try this at home.)


For different venoms there are different "best" field treatments. Dive shops are handing out cards from the Divers Alert Network that say to use warm/hot water for lionfish venom, no chemicals at all.


When in doubt, make sure of what the local critters are specifically, and what the published best first aid for them is. And then pack that in the first aid kit. Another good point to vinegar is that so far, no one has insisted on putting a short expiration date on it.(G)