What lies beneath

Summer is here and you may already have planned a getaway. With temperatures in the 30s, there doesn’t seem to be any reason to hold off on summer fun. But whether you’re headed to the beach, a big city, or the mountains, it pays to be always well equipped.  The Philippines, being surrounded by water and mountains, is one of the best places to assure you of a day of fun.  Choosing a safe destination first, then familiarizing yourself with the location, is one way to ensure a hassle-free vacation.  Since knowledge is power, knowing your nemesis can save your life.

There are 9,000 species of invertebrates using nematocysts (stinging capsules) to immobilize preys as a defense.  Jellyfish, though easily recognized, are often misunderstood and feared even though most jellyfish are harmless.

Chironex, also known as boxfish or deadly sea wasp, is considered to be the most venomous marine creature.  Death can occur with minimal contact.  When death does not occur, the pain is excruciating and, often, stings leave a significant scar. Stings of the box type have severe consequences, due to their  cardiotoxic (effect on the heart), neurotoxic (damage to the nerves), and dermatonecrotic (effect on the the skin) components.  Three meters of tentacles touching the skin can be fatal enough, causing cardiac arrest within minutes.  The pain from the sting is so excruciating and overwhelming that a victim can immediately go into a shock. It can also be fatal if the victim is swimming alone because he/she is unable to make it back to the shore on his/her own. Tentacles stick tightly to the skin and may continue to release venom if not treated correctly, making things worse.  Severe stings can lead to necrosis of the affected tissue (which means it gets eaten away), which is where the nasty scars come from.  The severity of the sting depends on the size of the box jellyfish, the amount of tentacles involved, the size of the victim (children are more vulnerable), but the sensitivity of the skin of the victim also plays a major role.  It depends, too, on where the tentacles touched (across the chest is obviously a lot more dangerous than on the ankle) and how much venom was released is also crucial.

Ordinary vinegar has saved dozens of lives, preventing further venom absorption.  If tentacles are still stuck to the skin, they need to be removed gently by soaking the affected area first with vinegar for 10 to 15 minutes.  In mild cases, the effects of the venom can be managed by painkillers and antihistamines but early administration of the antivenom can relieve the pain, reduce scarring, and save a life.

Others include the Portuguese Man of War (physalia) where fatalities have also been reported, but usually victims survive after suffering from excruciating pain. 

Other venomous invertebrates include:

•  Fire coral is a sea animal that looks like a coral and often found on the coral reefs, has small invisible tentacles with the poison attached to it. Its sting causes minor irritation of the skin to excruciating pain, nausea, vomiting for a few hours if a large surface area of the skin is involved.

• Sea anemones can produce the same effects as physalia.

• Stinging seaweed is an animal that looks like a fern.  The color varies between brown and green but can also be white or purple.  Sensation varies from mild stinging to extreme pain, with the skin turning red after 30 minutes, with itchy pustules that can stay for a week

• Glaucua is a marine animal that feeds on various nematocysts and the effects of its touch vary depending on the nematocyst it consumed.

And this is not all, other sea creatures with the ability to inject venom include:

• Blue-ringed octopus in shallow tropical water and tide pools.  The rings can turn to a bright blue to show the change of mood of the octopus.  The bite might be painless, but it injects a neuromuscular paralyzing venom.  This maculotoxin blocks nerve conduction, causing neuromuscular paralysis, followed by death.

• Cone shell  —  400 species can inject venom but fortunately, only a few are believed to be dangerous. Symptoms vary from painless to excruciating.  Salt water seems to make it worse.  Paralysis, including respiratory failure, may occur.

• Crown of Thorns (starfish) found in deeper waters than other starfish.  Produce severe pain for a few hours with possible bleeding, inflammation, extending to swollen lymph glands.  Symptoms may continue for weeks or months, especially if spines are left in the wound.

• Sea snakes  — there are 87 species.  Their poison is 20 times more powerful than the cobra’s, but they inject much less, if they inject at all.  Some have very small mouths and are unable to bite large prey.

• Sea urchins’ spines may contain some venom and infectious microbes.  Very few fatal cases have been reported (usually from respiratory problems), but most cases bring mild to severe pain for a few hours and infections that can last for months, if pieces of spines are left in the wound.

• Sponges — various types can produce irritation and pain for long periods.  If in doubt, it is best not to touch any sponge (even dead ones washed out on shores).

• Sea worms — many species of tropical sea worms are found under rocks and in corals, which can produce painful and itchy rashes lasting for hours. Antihistamines or steroid application might help.

Avoiding places where these creatures are found is the best thing to do. Wearing diving suits and aqua shoes is protective.  Knowing first aid for these stings is important and can keep the situation from worsening.  Carrying first-aid tools is also a must and knowing where the nearest hospital is can be life-saving.

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For inquiries, call 09174976261, 09399171352 or 484-7821 or e-mail gc_beltran@yahoo.com.