Stone fish sting

[Andy_W]

Hi guys,
Friend of mine accidently touch stone fish during his work (he's a commercial diver) luckily the working site is near by hospital within 1 hr ride. He turns out fine now.

Out of curiousity, what to do if a diver get stone fish sting during the dive and the dive site far away from hospital.

Thank you

Regards
Andy

 

[Mako Mark]

stone fish inject a protien based venom (much like egg white) to treat it, apply heat, as hot as you can bear for as long as you can bear (55 degrees C for 45-90 minutes) without burning the skin.

 

[bolantej]

I would contact Diversalertnetwork.org and see what they say, as well.

 

[Diver0001]

stone fish inject a protien based venom (much like egg white) to treat it, apply heat, as hot as you can bear for as long as you can bear (55 degrees C for 45-90 minutes) without burning the skin.

And seek immediate medical attention.

R..

 

[RoyN]

Wow thats nice, a fish that looks like a stone and has one of the deadly potent poison. Thats gotta help.

 

[BeachJunkie]

I've never even heard of a "stone fish" Are these prominant in all waters? Certain depth? Time to hit up google image finder.

 

[almitywife]

we have lots of stone fish here - sneaky little bugers that blend in extremely well with his surroundings

and yes to the hot water treatment

http://www.amonline.net.au/FISHES/students/focus/sverruc.htm
The Reef Stonefish is the most venomous fish in the world. It has thirteen stout spines in the dorsal fin which can inject a highly toxic venom. The venom causes intense pain and is believed to have killed many Pacific and Indian Ocean islanders. No deaths have been recorded in Australia since European arrival (Underhill, 1987). An antivenom developed in 1959 further reduces the likelihood of death. Despite this, many people suffer the agony of a sting every year. Very hot water (not scalding) can be used to relieve the pain, but medical treatment should be sought

 

[MichaelBaranows]

Here is a photo I took of one a few weeks ago.

 

[miketsp]

stone fish inject a protien based venom (much like egg white) to treat it, apply heat, as hot as you can bear for as long as you can bear (55 degrees C for 45-90 minutes) without burning the skin.

I seem to remember that ASAP you should also try to keep the venom localised with restrictive bandaging or a torniquet. Should make the heat treatment more effective.

And on a lighter note you should take the affected diver's knife away from him as apparently the pain can get so intense that victims have been known to want to cut off the affected limb.

 

[miketsp]

I've never even heard of a "stone fish" Are these prominant in all waters? Certain depth? Time to hit up google image finder.

Around South America they're very common at all depths.
Many people look right at them and don't even see them, they blend in so well.