Hazardous Marine Life

Question 1

Signs and Symptoms:
(a) Pain
(b) Erythema
(c) Edema
(d) Pruritus
(e) Vesiculations
(f) Anaphylaxis

Answer 1

Jellyfish sting

Question 2

Treatment of jellyfish

Answer 2

(a) Rinse the area with seawater. Do not rinse with freshwater. Fresh water promotes Nemocyst activation.
(b) Remove tentacles with a gloved hand the scrape off any remaining nemocysts by
covering with sand/shaving cream/baking soda and scraped off with straight edge. Sticky tape may also remove nemocysts
(c) Vinegar x 30 sec deactivates nemocysts

Question 3

Coneshells Signs and Symptoms

Answer 3

(a) Mild to severe pain
(b) Stinging or numbness
(c) Local to total paralysis

Question 4

Treatment of Coneshells

Answer 4

(a) Pressure Immobilization Dressing and supportive care to include close monitoring of respiratory status
(b) MEDEVAC for advanced supportive care, possible need for ventilation if symptoms worsen. Usually resolves in 24-72hrs

Question 5

Signs and Symptoms:
(a) Barbed spines that are a penetrating injury and envenomation.
(b) Spine commonly remains lodged in wound.

Answer 5

Stingray and stinging fish

Question 6

Treatment of Stingray and stinging fish

Answer 6

(a) Remove and irrigate to remove fragments
(b) Toxin is heat labile and immediate relief of pain can be obtained by placing the wound in water heated to 40-45 Celsius (104-113 Fahrenheit) for 30min intervals
(c) Poison control useful for all envenomations
(d) Extremely painful and typically does not respond well to pain relievers
(e) Local anesthetic can be used to help with pain if hot water immersion is ineffective (not in combination)

Question 7

Antibiotic prophylactic for marine life

Answer 7

Doxycycline 100mg BID for 7 days
b) Tetanus vaccine

Question 8

Stonefish stings should receive what

Answer 8

Antivenom

Question 9

Stingray toxin should be placed in what temperature of what

Answer 9

40-45C (104-113F) for 30 minute intervals