Adventure travelers often play in the ocean. Ocean snorkeling, diving, swimming, surfing, and kayaking all expose on to the chance of being bitten or stung by some aquatic critters.
Over the years, I’ve experienced many of these envenomations. Lots of jellyfish stings. My sea kayaking tour guide got stung by a stingray in Belize. It laid him up for a couple days. This can be very serious stuff if you aren’t careful.
Even those of you who visit “tame” locations should still be cautious. Last month I wanted to test my new snorkel mask before taking an ocean excursion. I waded into the ocean off the beach of our five-star resort in Cancun. I was in water about three feet deep and dove in. I was instantly face to face with a pissed off stingray. I’m amazed I didn’t get stung.
This is a compilation of simple first aid tips for handling marine animal bites and stings in the field.