Great Barrier Reef

Things that Hurt on the Reef. By Walt Deas

This article by Walt Deas is published across 4 pages. Just follow the link at the bottom of each page to read the article in order.

"Now don’t go out too far and watch out for..." Many a diver can recall as a child, their first skirmish with the sea and a cautious parent forever watchful. These fears are unfortunately strengthened and backed throughout life by television, newspapers and the cinema.

For divers and especially new divers, entering the sea loaded by pounds of equipment and a ton of anxiety, many have a fear of being injured by marine life especially in tropical waters. Much of this is misdirected as most of the creatures we fear are in our imagination.

It is usually the smaller beasties of our underwater world who are most likely to cause a diver temporary suffering. Worry less about the creatures of leviathan dimensions and apply more canniness and regard for some of the smaller inhabitants of the sea.

I have no intention of alarming divers or to discourage them from diving, quite the opposite. Knowing what not to touch or brush against accidentally is often learned the hard way. An elementary understanding of reef animals and their specialized protection mechanisms can help a diver evade hurtful bites and stings.

Reefs all over the planet are habitat to poisonous and toxic marine animals depicting every biological phylum known. Some seem to be innocent, but even the most unassuming creature can administer a powerful sting or bite. The perils range in a great diversity. Casual encounters can end in anything from a trivial irritant to a significant incapacitating injury.

I have attempted to organize the following in a configuration that is simple to comprehend and remember.
DANGEROUS DENIZENS

SPONGES

Sponges have long been known to have hazards associated with their collecting for commercial use. In the Mediterranean, the divers experience sponge-fisheries, dermatoses and ulcers, but these injuries are usually due to a symbiotic anemones growing on the sponges.

Some other sponges are themselves harmful. The injury can be partly due to silica or glass crystals of the sponge or to a severe local and systemic toxin. Initially there may be no reaction to contact with the sponge. After some time a stinging, prickly or itchy sensation is felt. The resulting lesions may remain visible for months depending upon the degree of severity. Local application of cooling lotions, such as calamine lotion, methylated spirits and iced water are of value. Lignocaine could be indicated for severe pain. Seek medical attention.

CORALS - That cut or sting

Divers who are lucky enough to dive the clear and warm tropical waters of our planet know the indescribable beauty of coral reefs. Many species have razor sharp edges, which can easily cut a diver. Now and again a diver does not realize the cut has taken place until surfacing after the dive and encountering a trickle of blood. Some who have been swept into a reef by a sweeping wave receive an encounter they will not soon forget.

Another hazard of the coral reef is fire coral. It is aptly named and found worldwide. An encrusting brownish coral with the upper edges or tips a lighter colour. The tiny, hair-like polyps are armed with batteries of stinging cells. These can produce a moderate to severe stinging or burning sensation. Full contact can result in a painful ´burn´ for days. If coral cuts are left untended they can become ulcerous with a septic, sloughing base within a few days, diving is no longer possible until the wound heals.

The best way to prevent coral cuts or stings is to ovoid contact with the reef. Proper buoyancy control is essential. Coral cuts must be thoroughly cleaned with fresh water, scrub it and make sure there are no embedded coral particles, then flush the wound with a half strength of hydrogen peroxide in water, clean again with water. Use a local antibiotic powder or ointment (e.g. neomycin, bacitracin) and the wound should be kept dry with a dressing. If the wound shows any sign of infection one should see a physician who may consider treating the wound with an antibiotic or a corticosterid medication.

This article was reproduced with the kind permission of Walt Deas and originally titled Painful Critters.

NEXT >> Sea Anemones, Hydroids, Starfish

 

 

Blue Ring Octopus - Cone Shells - Box Jelly Fish  - Lion Fish - Sting Rays - Stone fish

Barrier Reef Intro | Where Reefs Occur | Did You Know? | Dangers on the Reef