OFFMEN International

Just incase any of us come upon one somewhere, someway, somehow....

On September 4, 2006 Steve Irwin (aka "The Crocodile Hunter") tragically died when a stingray barb pierced his heart. Fortunately, stingray stings are rarely fatal. This article offers tips on how to treat a minor stingray sting when professional medical attention is not possible.


Steps
Relax. Despite the tragic death of Steve Irwin, stingray stings are rarely fatal. Stingray stings are caused by a sharp barb that transmits a protein-based venom. This venom causes extreme pain that will spike and decrease over the next several hours, and often leave cuts and abrasions at the sting site. It is common for a sting to bleed and swell.


If you experience any nausea, vomiting, muscle cramping or chills, stop reading this article and go to the nearest emergency room immediately, as this could be a sign of an allergic reaction or overdose of venom.
Expose the sting by removing any clothing around the affected area.
Soak the affected limb in the hottest water tolerable for at least an hour. Because stingray venoms are composed of heat-labile proteins, doing this will cause the alteration of the tertiary structure of the polypeptide protein molecule, resulting in the deactivation of the poison as it will no longer feature the same unique tertiary folding of the amino acid chain. This will mean that the venom will have less effect. Beach lifeguards sometimes keep buckets of hot water around the station on busy summer days - you could ask to use it. The venom will often become gel or jelly-like and ooze from the open wound--this is desired.
Wrap the wound in a makeshift bandage from any available clean, lint-free cloth soaked in hot water once the wound has stopped oozing.

Use a topical antibiotic to reduce the chance of infection and relieve pain. If the wound site shows any signs of infection, such as redness, prolonged swelling, or pus, seek medical attention immediately. Topical antibiotics are not a substitute for proper medical attention. Untreated infections can result in loss of limbs or death.