Nasty Fire Coral Injury

[Jeff Toorish]

Wrong - gloves don't prevent anything, except effective injury prevention. How about we ban gloves on dry suits too? I say BOYCOTT any area that doesn't allow divers to make their own exposure protection choices, You'll see the tune change once the dollars stop pouring in. What's next? No wetsuits? In over 25 years of diving, this is my first coral injury, and this was only the SECOND time I dove without gloves (and only because I didn't want to have the argument on the boat). From now on I put them on at depth and take them off on ascent (if I go to any of these places at all). Let's ban hoods too while we're at it! Ridiculous.

Anyway, it was definitely Millepora. It doesn't really hurt anymore, its just damn ugly...the welts are just red, raised and look like blisters...small children are scared by the sight of my hand...the horror...the horror...the horror....lol....

I agree with neal, effective training and enforcement would go a lot further than something that compromises the safety of divers.

The issue of not touching coral or wildlife should be part of the dive briefing. But to suggest that divers should be put at risk of injury in the case of a mishap where then brush against something accidently pretty much flies in the face of our training.

I'm certainly sensitive to ecological damage and like everyone else here, I have witnessed people who intentionally destroy reef life at depth by grabbing it or poking it or touching it. But oddly, in practically all those cases, those people were not wearing gloves anyway.

I've also seen far more damage come from dangling hoses and other equipment and poor buoyancy control. That is where a divemaster or instructor should step in either work with these folks or prevent them from diving to sensitive areas.

Proper training and briefing will be more effective than a ban on equipment.

Jeff

 

[PaulVS]

I brushed my arm against some coral last week in Cancun while snorkeling. No cuts or anything... but it burned pretty good for about a couple hours and then slowly went away.

The coral in question was like round (3" diameter) leaves and was rust colored.

Anyone know what that stuff is?

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi cowboyneal,

Yes, trying to neutralize Millepora venom with vinegar or other compound will not be effective once the process is days along. These work best if applied immediately and probably are of little benefit after about 20-30 minutes. Moreover, a product such as meat tenderizer at this stage actually could make matters worse.

An oral inflammatory and antihistamine may provide symptomatic relief, as may a strong topical steroid. OTC cortizone cream, or even the lower potency prescription strengths, often provide little benefit.

Keep an eye out for infection.

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice with you or any other individual and should not be construed as such.

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[cowboyneal]

Gracias Doc, TS and those of you who also positively responded...nasty stuff, this.

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi cowboyneal,

You're welcome.

Yes, it can be nasty business and slow to resolve.

Be patient.

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[Misplaced Priority]

Sounds like you may be getting an infection (on top of / as a result of ) See if your doctor won't recommend an antibiotic.

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi Misplaced Priorty,

On what basis do you believe Neal already has an infection?

Thanks,

DocVikingo

 

[radinator]

Wrong - banning gloves doesn't prevent anything, except effective injury prevention. How about we ban gloves on dry suits too? I say BOYCOTT any area that doesn't allow divers to make their own exposure protection choices. You'll see the tune change once the dollars stop pouring in. What's next? No wetsuits? In over 25 years of diving, this is my first coral injury, and this was only the SECOND time I dove without gloves (and only because I didn't want to have the argument on the boat). From now on I put them on at depth and take them off on ascent (if I go to any of these places at all). Let's ban hoods too while we're at it! Ridiculous.

I agree completely. I had the same feelings about gloves when I was in Cozumel. So after banning gloves they put us smack dab in the middle of a huge floating mass of those thimble jellys. They said the jellies don't sting, but something was nailing me as I went through the mass. It was a minor irritant, but still.

I'm with you. The gloves get worn, and the knife gets carried (for any entanglements) - even if I have to conceal them in a pocket until the dive starts.

 

[trigfunctions]

I'm curious CowboyNeal - what were you doing when you accidentally touched the fire coral?

 

[orangelemon]

I am also in favour of wearing gloves and think these blanket bans on glove wearing in Marine parks (especially in Coz and Cancun) does little if anything to protect the reef and marine life. I wear gloves as I have baby soft hands (you wouldnt believe it to look at me) and if I am spending all day in the water they get so soft they get cut and possibly infected as a result, as soon as I do anything with them (like cleaning gear / changing tanks)

The need for enviromental awareness and correct diver training (spefically buoyancy control) is the key to keeping the reefs healthy and full of marine life. Banning gloves is a silly and perhaps dangerous rule to enforce on divers and I for one will wear gloves when I dive.