Gulf Coast Beach Goers Reminded To Practice Stingray Shuffle

CLEARWATER, FL — There's no quicker way to ruin a day at the beach than getting a jellyfish or stingray sting.

Clearwater beach patrols are warning visitors that Clearwater Beach is experiencing a resurgence in visits from jellyfish and stingrays in the shallow waters of its beaches.

The Florida stingray season is from April through October. There's no predicting when jellyfish will show up but the heaviest concentrations on the Gulf Coast appear in the fall — August through October, according to the Florida Wildlife and Conservation Commission.

Stingrays are dark or olive brown flat, disc-shaped creatures with fins that resemble wings. A stingray's tail is long, thin and tapered, like a whip. At the end of the tail are one or more barbed spines covered by a sheath. Each spine contains venom, and the stingray's tail can pack an incredibly painful sting that has sends beach goers to the emergency room each year.

Ironically, stingrays are gentle, docile creatives that burrow beneath the sand in shallows. They only sting when they're disturbed or stepped on by a swimmer.

To prevent painful stingray stings, the city of Clearwater urges beach goers to routinely use "The Stingray Shuffle" when they step into the water. Instead of lifting your feet and taking steps, shuffle your feet in the sand, disturbing unseen stingrays that may be resting in the sand.

Also consider wearing protective beach footwear while wading in shallow water.

Jellyfish can be harder to spot because most are clear although they may also be red, yellow and other colors. According to the FWC, jellyfish are neither jelly nor fish. Jellyfish lack backbones, heart, blood, brain or gills and, in fact, are more than 95 percent water. They usually just drift with the ocean currents, but occasionally swim by pulsing their umbrella or bell.

Jellyfish possess stinging cells located on the tentacles and other body parts. They're tentacles can be as long as 10 feet and can contain thousands of stingers. When touched, a jellyfish's stingers can pierce the skin and release a venom that often causes painful symptoms. Even a beached jellyfish can sting so never touch one laying outside the water.

Talk to lifeguards or look for jellyfish warning signs about jellyfish season when at the beach. Stay out of areas where groups of jellyfish have been spotted.

There is some clinical evidence that shows an anti-jellyfish sting lotion may help. Wearing a protective suit or other protective clothing also may prevent stings. Diving stores sell protective "skin suits" or "stinger suits" made of a thin, high-tech fabric.

According to Florida Poison Control Centers, a stingray sting can cause a sharp, excruciating pain that lasts about one to two hours. The wound can bleed, may swell and turn blue or red. The stinger, or barb, is covered with rows of sharp spines made of cartilage strong enough to pierce through the skin of an attacker.

Not only does the puncture cause pain, but the stinger also releases a complex venom, which leads to intense pain at the puncture site. Uncommon effects of the venom include headaches, chills, nausea and vomiting, fainting, low blood pressure, arrhythmias of the heart and even seizures.

Most stingray stings require immediate medical attention. If medical attention isn't readily available, do the following:

• Flush the wound with fresh water.
• For pain relief, soak the wound in water as hot as the person can tolerate (approximately 110 degrees).
• Use tweezers to remove the stingers.
• Scrub the wound with soap and fresh water.
• Do not cover the wound with tape or close it with stitches. Apply pressure to stop the bleeding.
• Perform CPR if necessary.
• See a doctor and continue oral antibiotics for at least five days after to prevent infection.

To treat a jellyfish sting:

• Rinse the area with seawater, not fresh water. (Note, urine is not advised for either a stingray or jellyfish sting).
• Do not apply pressure bandages, alcohol or ammonia to the affected area.
• Don’t touch the area with your bare hands. After you rinse with seawater, try to remove the remaining stingers with something other than your bare hands such as tweezers, a towel or gloves.
• You may also want to cover the area with baking soda paste and scrape with a flat-edged object like a credit card.
• Over-the-counter pain relievers can be used to treat the pain and anti-itch cream or an antihistamine can help treat itching.
• If the person experiences a severe allergic reaction such as trouble breathing or swallowing, call 911 immediately. If blisters appear, severe pain lasts for more than two hours or the redness or rash remains for more than two weeks, call your doctor.

For more information, contact the Clearwater Beach Lifeguards/Beach Patrol at 727-462-6963