1. Marine Stings and Punctures
Year 9
Marine Technology

2. Envenomation
Many marine creatures are venomous, and beachgoers experience envenomation regularly.
Jellyfish and related creatures (Cnidaria),
sea urchins (Echinodermata), and
stingrays (Chondrichthyes) are some of the more easily identified marine creatures involved with envenomations.

3. Cnidarians – Sea Jellies, Corals, Hydroids
These invertebrates have stinging cells, called nematocysts, that continue to function when separated from the organism.
Symptoms:
Local pain Paresthesias Nausea Headache Chills Cardiovascular collapse

4. Cnidarians

5. Student Exercise 1. Access the following web site:
2. Construct a table to show first aid for the following marine stings:
anemone stings
box jelly stings
portuguese-man-o-war (blue bottles)

6. Sample Table – Marine Stingers
Name
Picture
Treatment
Anemone
Rinse the sting thoroughly with salt or fresh water to remove any adhering tentacles. Apply ice to skin for pain.
For persistent itching or skin rash, try 1 percent hydrocortisone ointment four times a day, and one or two 25 milligram diphenhydramine (Benadryl) tablets every 6 hours.

7. Student Task - Irukandji
What are Irukandji?
Why are they considered so dangerous?

8. Stingrays
These creatures partially bury themselves in the sandy bottom of the ocean shallows, where water enthusiasts may accidentally step on them.
Stingrays have a spine at the base of their tail that contains a venom gland. The spine, including the venom gland, may be broken off in the attack and may remain in the wound.

9. Student Task - Stingrays
What are the symptoms of stingray envenomation ?
How do you treat it?

10. Cone Snail or Shell Punctures
Most cone snail punctures in Australia are not dangerous, and require no specific treatment other than thorough scrubbing of the wound.
Rarely, however, a person stung by a cone snail experiences nausea, headache, or difficulty breathing.
If any of these symptoms develop after a sting, seek medical help, monitor the patient and be ready to carry out DRABC.

11. Student Activity
What is the recommended treatment for cone shell evenomation?

12. Sea Urchins
Surfers can come into contact with sea urchin spines while surfing at rocky points where these echinoderms live.
Student activity: What is the recommended treatment for being punctured by a sea urchin spine?

13. Student Activity Scorpion Fish
What are the common types of scorpion fish that inhabit Australian waters?
How is evenomation by these fish treated?

14. Blue Ringed Octopus Where are they found? How does it poison?
How is evenomation by a b Blue Ringed Octopus treated?