Fire Coral - Lessons Learned

[paolov]

inches is fine and a rash guard to protect from sun burn on the boat and jelly stings. I use rash guard for the upper body and had a rashguard pants with knee pads tailored. no itch and to make it almost 90% jelly sting free , a HOOD to match.

paolov

 

[Zippsy]

Well said Brian, and exceellent examples of what can happen. Let's hope that no one comes in and says something like "I'm not arrogant enough to believe that I need to snorkle when I'm in Hawaii ..." or "... to do beach dives in shallow water". Accidents happen.

 

[FredT]

OK now I understand why I can never tell what fire corral looked like. It comes in so many different sizes, colors and shapes. I will have to add a new rule "Never lick the coral"!

Actually Fire corals come in ALL shapes. It's an encrusting hydroid that is normally a yellowish brown with a relatively smooth texture with VERY small porosities in the Carribean. Feeding polys are effectivly transparent and relativly widespread acting through the porosities. It is agressive enough to overtake most other corals aned use them for substrate. Learn to identify it by color and texture at various depths. It also grows quite well on permanent mooring lines, along with several other species of hydroids. When diving fixed moorings where the ascent MAY have to done up the line in a current ALWAYS carry a pair of gloves or a Jon ine!

There are a few varieties of fire sponges. These are normally found growing inverted under a ledge, often by a lobstering diver! Several species of carpet anenomies can deliver a pretty nasty burn as well. In Coz there is a deep water gorgonian that looks like a small black/red ostritch feather stuck in the bottom. Brushing agianst one of those made an encounter with fire coral feel almost comfortable.

FT

 

[Goldengrace]

Evad, In my own defense, I'd like to say that I avidly follow the rule of not touching anything... especially coral of any kind and remind those around me who do. However, to stay far enough away that there is no chance of accident would mean I would miss much of the experience I'm there for. I think maybe a better point would be to know that in addition to rogue waves and currents, things float around and can come in contact with your skin any time you are in the water no matter how careful you are. My mistake was thinking I was just on a quick free dive and could get away without appropriate cover.
I will agree that William Shatner was bad. Leonard Nimoy did a much better job :laughing:

 

[archman]

A rash guard should not protect anyone from fire coral. The nematocysts will blow right through that skimpy lycra like thin tin... well maybe thick tin.

I'm wondering if you bumped into fire sponge rather than fire coral. This might explain the "stuff" you're still seeing on your wounds. Sponge spicules in shallower water are predominantly calcium carbonate, and can "dig in" and persist in wounds far longer than anything most jellies can produce. It's very much like abrading yourself with fiberglass.

 

[Goldengrace]

Interesting. No one has suggested that. Oddly enuf I have used the analogy of it feeling like fiberglass slivers only on fire. It hurt so bad at the time I didn't get a good look at what it was I hit. I was busy just trying to get to the surface. You don't happen to have a picture of this handy? Would the treatment be much different?

 

[FredT]

Interesting. No one has suggested that. Oddly enuf I have used the analogy of it feeling like fiberglass slivers only on fire. It hurt so bad at the time I didn't get a good look at what it was I hit. I was busy just trying to get to the surface. You don't happen to have a picture of this handy? Would the treatment be much different?

No picture of firesponge, but the stuff I've "found" is either red or dark tan and also encrusting.

Fiberglass and some bristleworm spines can be removed by using a good grade of duct tape. Press it well onto the arm and peel sharply. Be aware the hair comes too!

FT

 

[archman]

Another fine use for duct tape!

 

[divad]

No picture of firesponge, but the stuff I've "found" is either red or dark tan and also encrusting.

Fiberglass and some bristleworm spines can be removed by using a good grade of duct tape. Press it well onto the arm and peel sharply. Be aware the hair comes too!

FT

Good one.

 

[divad]

Evad, In my own defense, I'd like to say that I avidly follow the rule of not touching anything... especially coral of any kind and remind those around me who do. However, to stay far enough away that there is no chance of accident would mean I would miss much of the experience I'm there for. I think maybe a better point would be to know that in addition to rogue waves and currents, things float around and can come in contact with your skin any time you are in the water no matter how careful you are. My mistake was thinking I was just on a quick free dive and could get away without appropriate cover.
I will agree that William Shatner was bad. Leonard Nimoy did a much better job :laughing:

No need to defend yourself (certainly not to the likes of me). For all I knew, you were one of those people who do drift dives in the back-pedaling-arms-akimbo unicycle position. Pardon my, er, ardentness. But as said above, a long sleeve shirt is still a wrong idea. Defend the Captain, I think he's only guilty of misconstrued irony (though as the captain, that's still his responsibility.)