stingray-proof booties?

[bluce]

On a recent trip to Key West I stepped on a stingray while exiting from the water after snorkeling. The pain was excruciating beyond words. Recovery has been difficult and slow. I was not shuffling my feet and I paid the price. Does anyone know if anyone makes 'stingray-proof' scuba booties?? Thanks...Bob

 

[Rick Murchison]

I doubt it. A large stingray can drive its spine through a 2X4.
Rick

 

[Burke]

Can you say boat dive.
I've been hit by a small stingray and it wasn't that bad (nothing compared to a man-o-war) but I would imagine that one big enough to punch through a 2x4 would REALLY friggen hurt.

 

[TwoBitTxn]

There are several products on the market targeted towards fishermen. One of the more common are gaiters that are kinda worn like snake chaps. Can't recall what they are made of, but are designed to deflect the barb. There are also some wading boots that work generally the same way.

Your best bet would probably be to always rememer to do the shuffle.

TwoBit

 

[WreckWriter]

Originally posted by Rick Murchison
I doubt it. A large stingray can drive its spine through a 2X4.
Rick

I've seen Southern Stingrays the size of a hot-tub with a spine a foot long. Nothing short of armor plate would stop something like that.

If one is wading on sand bottom technique is your only defense.

Tom

 

[Angry Turtle]

Could someone explain to me the "shuffle" tecnique mentioned.

I never heard of something like that, but sounds like something I might need.

BoricuaMojao

 

[Jeff Gruenewald]

Just slide your feet along the bottom rather than actually picking them up, that way any ray in the area will sense your vibrations long before you get within strike range.

 

[TwoBitTxn]

Rays, both sting and electric, get defensive when stepped on. I have actually kicked a stingray while shuffling. I got a good look at it as it swam off. It isn't uncommon for one to be sitting in the bottom of a depression or hole and shuffling your feet or scooting your feet along the bottom will help keep you from stepping on one. Fishing in the surf on the Texas coast its just one of those things you learn to do. I guess I have been lucky as the only ray i have ever stepped on was an electric and it didn't zap me too hard before I got off.

TwoBit

 

[AnnoyedSpelunker]

Does it look like your neoprene dive booties are capable of taking on a barbed stinger of this size?
Your best bet is to employ common shuffling maneuvers to keep stingrays away.

Found this article listed right below the forum on Google: Can Scuba Diving Boots Provide Protection From Stingrays?
The guy listed quite a few good alternatives. You can take a look if you want.

 

[Ghost95]

If you find stingray proof apparel just remember it needs to go a good ways up your calf. Rays thrust their tail up and allot of the hits people take are well above the ankle.

I have seen some "sting ray proof" gaiters marketed to wade fishermen.