New Species Bonaire Box Jellyfish

[dvrliz1]

There has been a lot of talk, and I felt it necessary to calm some nerves.

Bonaire has jellyfish this time of year, normally due to increase water temperature. There has also been spotted 1 Portugese Man of War Jelly. The reason you are hearing so much about the BBJF is because it may be a new species of a new genus. It is being considered highly toxic (if you know a little about jellies, the ones that have the pretty colors are usually toxic and hurt) From what I understand it has been seen on Bonaire, and only Bonaire 3 times in the last year. I have heard no reports of anyone getting stung. STINAPA has supplied the whole island with information and if you are coming or arrive on Bonaire ask your hotel/resort/dive shop for info. Basically they are telling you if you have a skin reaction (redness, tenticle markings, swelling, burning/stinging), then to wash the area with soap & water, pat dry, apply a 5% vinegar solution the go to the emergency room for evaluation. If you do this immediately, you will probably just end up with a benadryl shot and that's that.

You do however want to avoid this jelly as we don't know much about it. It is suggested, always during August, Sept, Oct that you wear at least a skin in the water, even snorkelers. Sometimes when the tenticles of ANY jelly, even microscopic break off you can get the "stingies". This has ALWAYS been the case on Bonaire.

I do have a picture, but don't know how to post. If I could email it to someone and they could post it here that would be great.

Liz

 

[archman]

Here's the critter in question, courtesy of Liz.

I've never seen this particular cubozoan before.

 

[idratherbedivin]

I just got back from Buddy Dive the 26th. On the first day of my trip someone in my group got stung by it and my mom saw it. He dove the rest of the time so i guess it wasn't too bad.

 

[H2Andy]

you know, when i was a little wee diver, when a shark bit off your leg, you went topside, used a hot knife to cauterize the wound, and didn't miss the second dive of the trip

 

[jepuskar]

You'll post anything to get to 20,000 quicker wont you?

 

[H2Andy]

no, i do have my standards

(they are at the bacteriological level ... but they're there)

 

[Wayfarer2]

Just be sure you wash it in salt water not fresh (fresh water will make all the remaining stingers fire at once) while wearing gloves (don’t want to get stung on your hand while washing) and I would probably apply the vinegar (to neutralize the stingers first) before doing anything else.

 

[sasscuba]

I got stung by one of those in front of Sand Dollar 3 years ago on a night dive right by the dock! Worst pain I have ever experienced. Dive shop told me some people go into cardiac arrest and some only experience pain and later itching. The welts on my arm lasted almost 2 months and the itching almost 4 months after the sting. I did not see it but from the wound the DM said it was a box jelly.

 

[victor]

Curious, how big are they? difficult to tell from the picture.
Do they have a number of different types in Bonaire?
I have only been stung once in Bonaire and that was not much worse than a nettle sting. Itchy for a day but easily forgotten.

 

[japan-diver]

There has been a lot of talk, and I felt it necessary to calm some nerves.

Basically they are telling you if you have a skin reaction (redness, tenticle markings, swelling, burning/stinging), then to wash the area with soap & water, pat dry, apply a 5% vinegar solution the go to the emergency room for evaluation. If you do this immediately, you will probably just end up with a benadryl shot and that's that.


Liz

Not the best advice for jellyfish stings, especially box jellies -(which are common over here) First rinse with salt water or 100% vinegar to remove any stingers, then apply cool/ice packs to ease the pain and go to the ER if necessary. Rinsing with fresh water is a definate no as this can make the sting worse if tentacles still remain. 100% vinegar won't hurt and works better to neutralize the sting.

I know this treatment works well because I have used it on numerous divers/swimmers over here over the year including my 4 yr old son not more than 1 month ago when one snuck through the jelly net around the public beach over here.