Big Bend Florida Sportsman Guide

STINGS

Stingray, Jellyfish, Catfish, etc.

Stingray

Most nasty of the sting wounds.  Be careful when wading our flats.  Do the stingray shuffle by scraping your feet along the bottom when wading.  If you get stung, do the following things; If the wound is bleeding, stop the bleeding by applying direct pressure with a clean cloth.  Carefully examine the wound and remove the stinger.  Tweezers are good for this but be careful not to break the singer off, this will cause further damage.  Do not puncture yourself.  Applying water as hot as the person can stand (do not scald them) will help to minimize the effects of the toxin in the stinger, as heat neutralizes the toxin.  You need to keep the area hot for at least 1/2 hour to have an effect, longer if practical.  Have the person lay down to prevent further injury and the spread of the toxin.  If they are sick (vomiting, dizzy, etc) have them lay on their side to prevent choking.  Aspirin, Tylenol or Advil will help with the pain, if they are not allergic to the medication.  Almost all stingray injuries will require a visit to the doctor's office.

Jellyfish

Most of these stings are accidental and occur when swimming or in removing the jellyfish from your fishing line.  Apply saltwater to the area of the person that has been stung.  DO NOT use FRESH WATER as this will only increase the action of the toxin.  Carefully remove any remaining parts of the Jellyfish, rubber fish gloves are good for this.  Be very careful, you do not further injure the person or yourself.  If you have VINEGAR, apply it to the wounds.  Vinegar (acetic acid) will help to contain the toxins and neutralize any remaining toxins on the surface of the skin.  Keep the person still, movement spreads the jellyfish and quickens the absorption of the toxin. Aspirin, Tylenol or Advil will help with the pain, if they are not allergic to the medication.  See a doctor, as soon as possible, to help fight any infection that may result.

Catfish

Nasty creatures that love to leave something behind.  Hot water will help in relieving the pain.  Put the wounded area in water as hot as you can tolerate until the pain is relieved.  Remove the stinger with a pair of  tweezers, be careful to not break off the stinger, as this will surely cause infection.  Clean the wound like you would any puncture, i.e. hydrogen peroxide and a complete fresh water rinse.  Aspirin, Tylenol or Advil will help with the pain, if the person is not allergic to the medication.  Infection is the biggest risk.  See a doctor and take antibiotics.

Do not lick the slime, you have only to look at several fellows on this board to see the sad long-term effects.

Fish Bites

All bites caused by Marine creatures required cleaning immediately to prevent infection.  This is generally done by rinsing the bite with lots and lots of fresh water.  Examine the wound and remove any foreign matter, teeth, seaweed, etc that maybe present.  ReWash the wound.  Cut away any dead tissue, be careful, dead tissue only.  Clean the wound again.  Bandage the wound and seek medical assitance.