How has the jelly fish effected Aussie diving?

[DougK]

This is not a travel question so I am going to post here.

Over the past 6 months or so I have seen a Discovery Channel segment, more than once, on the Irukandji jellyfish in Australia. Seems this tiny jelly can kill you and if not, you would wish you were dead while its toxin works on your body.

Wife and I had always wanted to go dive the Great Reef. However this segment spooked my wife a bit.

How as this discovery and its very toxic sting effected diving in the county?

A wet suit is not enought to protect you, you need full suit and face mask protection.

I want to travel to aussie-land very badly, but I don't want to go all that way and not have a chance to dive.

 

[Missdirected]

Ha, I've seen that show. Scary. AlmityWife can tell you about that area I'm sure.

 

[almitywife]

we also have the worlds deadliest snakes, spiders, sharks, octupus, cone shells and dont forget the drop bears!

we like our deadlies

"Every summer, more than sixty people are hospitalized with this potentially fatal syndrome. The initial sting of the jellyfish is usually not very painful. But about 5-45 (usually 30) minutes after being stung, the person starts to have a severe backache or headache and shooting pains in their muscles, chest and abdomen. They may also feel nauseous, anxious, restless and vomit. In rare cases, the victim suffers pulmonary oedema (fluid on the lungs) which could be fatal if not treated."
http://www.barrierreefaustralia.com/the-great-barrier-reef/irukandji.htm


seriously, no dive operator is going to knowingly drop you into a swarm of these things - they are bad for business so im sure they have measures in place to 1, avoid them and 2, treat stings if they happen.

to my knowledge, more people die each year from either a, picking up cone shells or b, heart attack while snorkling

cheers and enjoy

 

[SparticleBrane]

Score one for the news...
"Fear, uncertainty, and doubt"

 

[alcina]

Come to the Ningaloo Reef instead - we almost never even see singles of these guys or any other real nasty

Seriously, although very scary, it isn't a common thing to see large groups of these guys most places on the GBR and as almity said, no operator is going to knowingly drop you in there.

I beleive the local governments in QLD also post notices along any beaches where congregates of stingers are suspected.

Discovery has such good programming sometimes, but some times I wonder if they aren't really fear-mongering to some extent. I guess it makes good tv...

 

[Zeeman]

There are seasons for them, and you will be warned about them if you happen to turn up in the wrong season. They also don't affect diving in the whole country.

Z..

 

[tracy_from_oz]

As Zeeman says there is a season for these little critters and I am not sure if completely true but they do not really live on the reef but within the first 6km from shore and out therefore you wont really see them on the reef. Hence the reason for swimming between the nets @ the beaches.

Ok dont quote me on the 6km thing but im sure a marine biologist told me that.

 

[Missdirected]

Discovery has such good programming sometimes, but some times I wonder if they aren't really fear-mongering to some extent. I guess it makes good tv...

Agreed. When I was watching that, I thought to myself it can't be that bad (know you guys dive there frequently). That said, if one was to go by what they say you'd be terrified to get in the water.

 

[mixedphat]

it really depends on the currents and what side of the reef you are on, most ops/skippers are pretty clued up on whats going on and can normally offer pretty safe dive sites.

i see more box and irukandji swimming around my booties when i'm netting from prawns/bait off the beach than i ever do diving. (it's the crocs you gotta watch out for)

Ty