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AQUATIC
DANGERS

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Australia, we used shaving cream and applied it over the venom and fatalities do occur. You will instantly know if you are
area and removed the nematocysts with a knife edge. attacked as you will experience excruciating pain, inflamed site,
inflammation, puncture wounds, paralysis, and much more. Ab-
Stepping on a catfish can get you “finned” which is solute prompt medical attention is required.
painful and can be slow to heal. Some spines also have
venomous glands at their base so the venom can get into Fire coral burns and can form an abscess. This coral is beautiful
the wound. Again, immobilize, clean the injured area, and the color of fire so stay away. If burned, seek medical help;
use topical antibiotics, soak in hot water and monitor however, this usually doesn’t cause death.
for infection.
To prevent injuries, look; don’t touch. Don’t put your hands into
Another danger is cone shells. They are magnificent crevices; and try not to let the current force you against an object
but extremely predatory. Look but don’t touch. The
venom is often fatal. The cones can smell their prey. If you choose to eat exotic seafood/fish, keep a diary of the food
Their raspy tongue is hollow and used as a harpoon. eaten just in case you become ill.
Suggested first aid is to have the patient rest; immobi-
lize and use a pressure bandage on the extremity. Pro- If you bathe or drink freshwater in exotic areas, be sure to write
vide CPR if the patient is paralyzed even if they are down the exact location just in case you come in contact with the
not able to communicate. Get prompt medical help. Schistosoma parasite (fluke) found in rural and subtropical areas.
The larva can penetrate skin with serious health complications. I
Sharks found in Texas waters are the bull, black tip, tiger and would also make sure your bathing water is over 122 degrees F to
hammerhead. Probably one of the most dangerous man-eating hopefully kill the larva.
sharks alive is the bull shark who can go between fresh and saltwater.
It’s best when you’re going to an unfamiliar area to talk to some-
A few firstaid treatments for sharks are to remove the injured one familiar with the wildlife and fish so you’ll know what you
person from the water and try to control bleeding by direct pres- might face.
sure over the bleeding vessels. If necessary, apply a tourniquet be-
tween the wound and the heart to stop arterial blood flow. Do Barbara R. Schmitz, LCSW, attended Carnegie Mellon
not remove the tourniquet until expert help is available. Place the University and the University of Pittsburgh, graduating
person head-down (Trendelenburg position) to prevent shock, and with a specialization in business education and an avoca-
keep them warm. Get medical help quickly. tion in zoology. She received a master’s degree in social
work from Our Lady of the Lake University. She writes about animal
Other common injuries are puncture wounds from sea urchins life and lore for various publications.
and other animals with spines. While waiting for qualified medical
assistance, apply heat.

Stingray spines often break off into a wound. Stingrays can in-
flict serious injury with their favorite habitat being sandy areas,
shoals, or shallow water. If you step on one you could get punc-
tured and then as the spine is withdrawn you get a jagged lacera-
tion and venom is injected. For heaven’s sake, don’t pull it out
yourself.

Didn’t Steve Irwin, the crocodile hunter, die from one of these?
Their venom is destroyed or altered by heat. There is no anti-
venom available that I know of. It is imperative to debride and ir-
rigate the injury immediately. Clean with soap and water; soak in
hot water for 30 to 90 minutes or apply a heat pack; use topical
antibiotics; immobilize the affected area and minimize activity;
monitor respiratory activity and provide CPR as necessary.

Lionfish, stonefish, and scorpion fish hide in coral. All deliver

26 San Antonio Medicine • May 2016