box jelly fish

[sonnyt]

has anyone ever dove in key west and encountered any box jelly fish ???????





thanx
sonnyt

 

[rookers]

I believe they only inhabit Australian waters.

 

[Cecil]

Not correct, they are also in the Caribbean but fairly rare and not nearly as toxic. Generally watch the 9th day after a full moon and they will be near the surface. A full wetsuit will protect you.

 

[cudachaser]

My son got hit by one surfing off Cocoa Beach...His arm swelled 'bout twice it's normal size

 

[Buoyant1]

I don't think it's a box jelly, but I got this one off Key Largo on Molasses reef

 

[ams511]

People who encounter a box jellyfish do not live to tell the tale.

 

[Jasonmh]

Not correct, they are also in the Caribbean but fairly rare and not nearly as toxic. Generally watch the 9th day after a full moon and they will be near the surface. A full wetsuit will protect you.

This is definitely true. We ran into a huge group of them on a night dive in BVI (a very rare occurance), my dad got stung in 6 places, was in quite a bit of pain but was ok. Another lady that was stung atleast 10-15 times and had to be rushed to the hospital. Those of us diving with full suits and hood did not get stung.

 

[DandyDon]

A couple of quick searches on Google show that there several species - some in the Pacific being deadly, those in the Caribe being less so. Nonetheless, one more reason why divers should not wear less than a full jump suit - shorties are for jet skiers.

 

[Zephrant]

I understand in places like Grand Cayman, you are not allowed to dive with gloves though.

 

[DandyDon]

I understand in places like Grand Cayman, you are not allowed to dive with gloves though.

Welcome to SB. Post an Introduction in that forum if you'd like.

Gloves are not allowed on most reef dives, GC, Roatan, Cozumel, etc. I may carry a pair in my BC pocket and don them on slow ascent. I usually forget to carry them, but this would be another time they'd be handy. Put them on, then cover you face. I do wear nylon socks to cover my ankles between my low booties and my suit.

The biggest skin risk is to divers do do in wearing shorties, of swim suits. I always wear a lycra skin at least - a full length one,