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First Aid Treatment of Marine Animal Stings
 BLUE RINGED OCTOPUS
DISTRIBUTION
Widespread around Australian Coast (especially southern N.S.W.), as well as many Indo-pacific Countries
SIZE AND APPEARANCE
May grow to 15-20cm. in diameter with tentacles extended. Usually yellowish-brown but when irritated, many small electric-blue rings appear making it look very attractive.
SYMPTOMS & SIGNS
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Minor bite from beak underneath body (often painless). The venom is injected from the salivary glands.
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Numbness of the lips and tongue may occur within minutes.
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In serious envenomation weakness and breathing difficulty develops rapidly.
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In severe, untreated stings respiratory failure occurs, leading to death from lack of oxygen unless immediate expired air resuscitation is commenced.
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TREATMENT
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Expired air resuscitation – or artificial ventilation in hospital.
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Compressive bandaging.
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Spontaneous breathing usually returns in 3-10 hours.
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STONEFISH
DISTRIBUTION
Tropical Australian (and Indo-Pacific) waters
SIZE AND APPEARANCE
A true fish 20-30 cms long. It has tough, warty skin that may be covered with slime. It is usually the colour of its surrounds (frequent-ly dark brown). Along the back of the fish are 13 spines, which when stepped on, penetrate the skin of the victim injecting venom.
SYMPTOMS
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Immediate, severe pain which may cause the patient to become frantic, or delirious.
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TREATMENT
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Place stung limb in hot water (remember to test yourself first!).
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STINGRAY
DISTRIBUTION
All tropical oceans
APPEARANCE
Large flat-shaped fish with whip-like tail.
INJURY
Stingrays often burrow under the sand in shallow water. The usual method of injury is a reflex forward whip of the tail when the `wings’ are trodden on. The tail contains one or more sharp barbs, which may embed in the skin of the victim and break off, or glance across the skin causing a laceration that may be quite deep and extensive.
SYMPTOMS
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The wound is usually (though not always) acutely painful.
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Most occur on the lower limbs but there have now been two deaths in Australia after the barb penetrated the heart.
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Other serious injuries have also occurred after the barb penetrated the chest or abdomen.
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TREATMENT
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Immerse the wounded area in hot water (remember to test yourself first!).
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Seek immediate medical attention, as the wound must be thoroughly cleaned to prevent infection, and tetanus immunization given.
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Any wound to the chest or abdomen must be referred to a doctor.
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SEA SNAKES
DISTRIBUTION
Mainly tropical Indo-Pacific region, although they are found in many cooler waters
SIZE AND APPEARANCE
Sea snakes may grow to several meters in length. They are similar in appearance to land snakes but have a flattened, oar-like tail. Unlike eels, they have no gills.
SYMPTOMS & SIGNS
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Relatively painless bite followed by symptoms including drowsiness, vomiting, weakness, visual disturbances, breathing problems and muscle pains.
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TREATMENT
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Compression bandaging.
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Transfer to hospital for antivenom.
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May need cardio-pulmonary resuscitation.
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SEA URCHINS
DISTRIBUTION
All oceans
APPEARANCE
“spiky balls” of varying sizes having numerous long spines.
SYMPTOMS
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As they are often present in cracks of rocks they are usually not seen until the spines puncture the feet of surfers or fishermen clambering on the rocks.
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The puncture wounds are painful and the spines may break off in the wound.
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TREATMENT
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Place affected limb in hot water (remember to test on yourself first!).
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Referral to a Doctor is necessary as the spine must be removed surgically, and tetanus prophylaxis given.
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HOT WATER TREATMENT
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First, test the temperature of the water Color with your own limb. Because of the pain of envenomation, the victim’s may be unable to feel the heat of the water with the affected limb; a severe or painful burn could result!
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After the water has been tested, the affected limb is immersed in hot water until the pain is reduced, or relieved. It may be necessary to change the water, or `top it up’ several times – don’t forget to test each time!
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