Sea lice, how bad are they?

[Mantasscareme]

Hi everyone,
I've just booked a trip to Grand Cayman for this April, after that I found out that everyone who dives Grand Cayman that time of year gets hit with sea lice, badly. I'm planning on both diving and snorkeling, and on ditching the wetsuit. Has anyone had any experience with sea lice and/or avoiding them?
Thanks
-Mantasscareme

 

[Walter]

Sea lice are actually the larva of thimble jellyfish. They sting a little, but they really aren't bad unless you have an allergic reaction to them. You'll itch for a few days if you get stung, but Benadryl cream or gel will get you through it.

 

[archman]

Speak for yourself Walter! I've had whole diver groups put in the infirmary from these little stinkers. In high enough densities, even the non-allergic folks can get trashed pretty bad. It ain't a pretty sight!

Manta, if you're unsure about sea lice, and the dive guides think there might be some in your area, opt out of the first dive. Use those divers as guinea pigs.

There's a heap of working advice on the board regarding minimizing in-water exposure with thimble larvae. Run a search for "sea lice". Here's a couple.
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=98784
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=93430

 

[Mantasscareme]

Thanks for your help. Have either of you been to Grand Cayman or anywhere in the Caribbean that time of year?

 

[k8brandt]

The one time I forgot to put on my Sea Safe, I got hit bad. It was thimble season in Roatan and they were all over the place. You had to swim through them to get back on the boat. It itched like the dickens and I had huge red welts all over my neck. If I had to scratch, I did it with a HOT washcloth then put on some anti-itch spray. I also put some vinegar & Baking soda on it and it felt much better. Safe Sea (http://www.divesports.com/mall/safesea_safeseaspf30.asp) should be applied ten miuntes before you go in the water and just around the wetsuit openings; neck, wrists, face.

Also, here's more information than you would want to know on Sea Lice, http://www.fau.edu/safe/sea-lice.html

 

[ffestpirate]

My wife and I were snorkeling (before my wife was certified) Grand Caymen at the end of last April. Neither of us knew of sea lice. We ran into a lot of them off of 7 mile beach. They felt like little pinches or bee stings. They didn't last long and we were able to swim out of them. My wife, who was mortally afraid of diving before that experience, loved the vis so much that she got certified as soon as we got back! So that should tell you that they are annoying, but definitely nothing to be afraid of(provided you're not allergic).

 

[Mantasscareme]

Bottom line, should I change my plans because of sea lice, or should I just not worry about them?

 

[Doc]

Bottom line, should I change my plans because of sea lice, or should I just not worry about them?

Re read the above.

If you want to advance in diving, this should be at the low end of your list of concerns.

Take along Benadryl lotion and Pills. (WallMart) (as above recommended)

Understand the symptoms so you'll know if/when you are "hit".

It is survivable. We've all been zapped at one time or 'tuther.

Oh, and BTW: Hiya Kate!

 

[redacted]

Neither. Thimble jellies and their sea lice larve are on the surface and tend to collect together. Density may vary from less than one jelly per square foot to 8 to 10 per square foot. First countermeasure is to look up and avoid them if possible. If you have to go thru them, avoid the denser concentrations and move thru them quickly. Wetsuits offer good protection except around the collars where the lice may collect. Don't wear a t-shirt rather than a wetsuit. The seem to collect under any loose fitting garments and have a feast. I'v never been bothered much by the few stings I get around my wetsuit collar but I have seenh folks in t-shirts who were covered with welts and were very uncomfortable. Benedryl helped them a lot.

 

[WarmWaterDiver]

I had good luck with Safe Sea when in Ambergris Caye during sea lice (pica pica)season - others on our boat who did not use this product (including my wife) weren't as fortunate. Just my experience. I buy the SPF15 stuff, and use it regardless of season. I wouldn't cancel a trip but I'd go forewarned & forearmed.