Science - The deadly Stingers [Jellyfish] by @bossj23
How dangerous could they be?A local radio station[Townsville broadcast] warned one morning that deadly box-jellyfish had been sighted in local waters and that the masses should be careful when going there to swim or for leisure.One couple who probably went there for leisure failed to heed the warning and the woman was pregnant. As they were sitting on the shore of Blue Pacific water, the wife screamed, trying to remove tentacles from her thigh and stomach....Oh no!! It's the deadly stingers. After helping her up to the beach, the husband also suffering from stings from the jellyfish frantically ran for help.
At the time he returned a few minutes later, his beautiful wife appeared to have stopped breathing and her limbs and face were completely black. Luckily because of on-the-sport resuscitation and the arrival of an ambulance, the beautiful young woman survived so did her baby.
Hundreds of swimmers and bathers are stung ever year by this deadly stingers [box jellyfish]. A few have died within a minute of being touched by it's slimy tentacles. Little wonder, then,that the sighting of a box jellyfish can empty all the swimmers and bathers out of the water. This Box jellyfish is so slimy and has a box like head. Its cluster can be very dangerous since it is of long tentacles [40 to 60] in large. Are they any precautions to using the water without being stung by this deadly creature? If at all stung, is there any antidote or remedy to such? What lessons can we draw from this creature.
ARE THERE ANY PRECAUTIONS To using the water without being stung by such deadly stinger?
Some choose to avoid swimming in the ocean at all in places where box jellyfish are. But for those who venture into the water during the warmer months. Despite these precautions given, there is always danger once the box jellyfish sets. They spawn in tidal rivers. When they mature, they appear to favor beaches where people usually go for leisure and fun.
Fortunately, the Sting from a box jellyfish is usually not fatal or deadly. It depends on the amount of tentacle contact with your body, the amount of venom released by the jellyfish, the maturity of the jellyfish, and the status of health of their Sting victim. Death by cardiac arrest can occur if no treatment is given immediately. The reason behind this is that the tentacles have rows of stinging cells, released like darts when they come in close contact with other creatures.
The box jellyfish has eight eyes, which, even if facing inward or outward to the transparent body, can locate an obstacle to it such as a human predator. This doesn't outrightly mean that these jellyfish deliberately attack humans. The box jellyfish maneuvers around its obstacle if it have enough time. It can do so using its box shaped bell, acting like a bellow, drawing in and expelling water .
The problem is that humans often run or dive into the water, giving the box jellyfish no time for collision. It's only where they are static like the woman mentioned above, that's when the jellyfish have enough time for collision. And when the tentacles comes in contact with human skin, they cling to the skin and release their venom. The victim experience intensed pain. The venom is injected by many cells called nematocysts and is absorbed speedily . If the victim runs or thrashes about, absorption of venom is reduced.
AN ANTIDOTE?
Yes , there is an antidote to the venom, and the prompt application of the correct antidote has saved the lives of many. For years, it was mistakenly thought that the best emergency treatment was to apply methylated spirit into the tentacles clinging to the victim. Modern research shows that the application of methylated spirit stimulates the discharge of venom.
It is currently believed that vinegar, a liquid that is cheap and readily available is the best solution to douse on tentacles of such nature. Vinegar inactivates the nematocysts and prevent them from discharging.
So while swimming in Australia's tropical water, even invigorating during box jellyfish season, Let the swimmer or bather beware!.
Cc,
@hive-138339