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Jellyfish Jungle
09/05/2008 - By Staff Writer A sea turtle's favorite treat and a menace to divers. What to do if you ever find yourself in a real life "jellyfish forest".
The ocean is full of wonderful living things. Many divers fell in love with a sea lion or a shark watching Jacques Cousteau on PBS when they were eight. It’s why many people take up diving in the first place. But not every creature under the sea is your friend.
Most marine animal injuries are minor, although some are not. The most common diving injury is the jellyfish sting. An accidental brush against a jellyfish can ruin your day, ruin your dive, and leave you with a painful memory that fades slowly. There are hundreds of species of jellyfish. They can be found in every ocean in the world, from shallow waters to deep. Some species of jellyfish even inhabit fresh water. Most jellyfish of concern to divers are scyphomedusae, which includes large varieties of jellyfish found in costal zones.
A jellyfish looks essentially like a bowl with tentacles attached to the margin. The ‘bottom’ of the bowl leads when the jellyfish is swimming, while the tentacles trail behind. Jellyfish have the consistency and feel of Jello. They are sensitive to touch, and sting automatically whenever another organism comes into contact with their tentacles.
The tentacles are covered with thousands of stingers, called nematocysts. Nematocysts are filled with a combination of toxins and enzymes that, essentially, make you sorry you ever thought about coming near the water.
Jellyfish tend to be concentrated into cluster called blooms. Right now there is an unusually high concentration of jellyfish blooms around the world. There is a much speculation in the scientific community about the reasons for this. Inadequate long-term data exists about jellyfish population variability, so it is difficult to draw concrete conclusions. Many scientists speculate that high jellyfish populations may be related to overfishing, as jellyfish eat the same kinds of prey as many fish.
In 2007 the number of jellyfish sting victims to go to hospital increased sharply. A rise of nutrients in water (related to fertilizer and sewage runoff) and increased water temperature also contribute to the rise in jellyfish population.
Both sea anemones and some kinds of coral also have nematocysts and deliver stings similar to jellyfish. A basic rule of thumb is: if you don’t know what it is and are sure that it’s safe, don’t touch it! If you do get stung, use the same first aid techniques for these stings as for jellyfish stings.
Here are a few basic tips for care in the case of a jellyfish sting:
• Thoroughly rinse the stung area with salt water. Do NOT use fresh water—it will activate any unruptured stinging cells, causing additional stings.
• Do not rub the area, as this can also rupture additional nematocysts.
• Apply an acetic acid to the area, such as white vinegar or, in an emergency, pee. Contrary to popular myth this won’t stop the pain—but it will prevent any unfired nematocyst from rupturing and stinging you further.
• Using a towel or cloth, remove any tentacles that are attached to you. Don’t touch them with your bare hands.
• Use ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain. If you experience swelling, itching, or tenderness, use Benadryl or a similar over-the-counter antihistamine.
• Be aware that some people are allergic to jellyfish stings, just as some people are allergic to bee stings. If you experience nausea, vomiting, swelling (apart from at the site of the sting) or difficulty breathing, don’t delay—get to an emergency room right away!
Wearing a wetsuit is one of the most simple and effective ways to protect yourself from jellyfish stings. Another way to protect your skin is to wear pantyhose (which can not only protect but gives a delightful slimming effect.) Regardless of what you wear to protect your skin, remember to stay aware of your surroundings at all times for a safe, enjoyable, sting-free dive.