My first injury on my 100th dives in Cozumel

[Bubbles below]

On our first day in Cozumel we shore dive in front of Villa Blanca. Entry/exit was tricky. We should have jumped off the pier, but my hubby wanted to put on his fins in the water. I should have known better! We got tossed around a bit, but finally got out of it. Hubby was short on air after 38mins dive at 26ft, but he didn't dove since June. I tried to exit first so he can follow my lead. I tossed up my fins on the pier and pulled myself up w the rope on the stairs. When I was going up,hubby ran into me. He was taking his fins off. He handed one fin to me and ask" Did you get the other one? " I looked around and found it near the rocks. I went after it successfully but exiting was a chore and got scraped on my knees and hand. 2nd injury was from a hyroids. My hubby surfaced up w the guide after his 38 mins dive,max depth 78ft. My new dive buddy, Kevin, found a couple jawfish. As we were waiting for the jawfish to attack the mirror. My right tight brushed up against a hyroids. I felt a sensation and brushed it off w my hand. After our 65 mins dive, back on the boat, my mentioned that my knee/hand is stinging. Kevin knew what stung me, hyroids. Kevin wished I could have told him in the water so he could have rub it out w sands. I didn't know what a hyroids looks like until Kevin described it. It's brownish/green feathers likes algae on rocks! Today, I'm going to wear my full 3mm. The best thing about the trip is the friendly people, the visibility of the waters/sealife, the 1:30 SI on a deserted beach, and the all-inclusive at Park Royal! Happy diving everyone and see you down below blowing bubbles! My Atomic Cobalt computer reads 82F.

 

[DjDiverDan]

Those hydroids are nasty. Like a wasp sting at first, but pain goes away very quickly. But wait a day or two, when the itching red welt pops up, and the itching seems to last forever. Get some benadryl (the itch relief gel, not the pills - the pills or tabs can make you sleepy) or hydrocortisone cream, you're going to be thankful you did.

 

[cvchief]

I have been stung so many times by Coz hydroids, I am developing a tolerance. They hardly pop and go away FAST now. I never tried sand, but I have used the underwater scrape immediately method, usually with my camera case.

I used to always get them just above my knees, which was annoying with shorts on at night. Back then I used solarcaine to numb it up a little.

And THANKS for the mirror thing. I am adding one to the kit. I sat for 20 minutes hanging on, deeper in current waiting for a jawfish with eggs to peek out. We lost the group, surfaced on the wrong side of the boat and that little SOB wouldn't so much as peek out.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

That's the price of making your 100th dive naked. You need to watch where you put everything.

 

[MMM]

Not the best memory of your anniversary (Best wishes!)but thankfully it won't be a lasting one. As others have said, get hydrocortisone cream to speed the healing and prevent itching. These things are only one reason I wear a full suit. Yesterday at my safety stop I watched and watched and watched a small jelly move through the water. They can sting also.

 

[KathyV]

I haven't tried it on hydroids but I have found that the new Allegra anti-itch cream works much better that Cortisol or Benadryl or other topical ointments - if it is available in Cozumel - have fun!

 

[Bubbles below]

Thank you everyone! :blinking. Leg is better, now, back blowing bubbles! Night dive anyone?