Title – Scorpion Fish
Date – May 2006
Location - Malapascua Island - Philippines
Scorpion fish blend in perfectly to their surroundings, you will hardly ever see them unless they decide to move, but that’s not all they have to defend themselves with. Their dorsal fin has evolved into a set of short sharp spines that will inject nasty venom into anyone who steps or puts a hand down on one. It is highly unlikely to kill you, but you the following is a list of symptoms associated with a sting from this fish:
Severe Local Pain, Swelling
Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhoea
Shortness of breath
High or Low blood pressure, rapid or slow heart rate
Fainting, Delirium, Seizures, Paralysis
Treatment recommended is:
Wash the area with salt water. Remove any foreign material at the wound site. Contact the hospital. Soak the wound in the hottest water the person can tolerate for 30 to 90 minutes, if instructed to do so. Contact Poison Control Centre for appropriate treatment instructions.
Beyond The Blue is all too aware that accidentally stepping on a scorpion fish is rare, but the number of people with health care problems or who need hospital visits whilst travelling is not so rare. During our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness workshop we examine the subject of what to do if you find yourself in need of medical care, when you are far away from home. We also discuss the different types of insurance available and the importance of choosing the one that is going to best suit the needs of your travel plans.
Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com
Image – ©Peter Mayhew
Date – May 2006
Location - Malapascua Island - Philippines
Scorpion fish blend in perfectly to their surroundings, you will hardly ever see them unless they decide to move, but that’s not all they have to defend themselves with. Their dorsal fin has evolved into a set of short sharp spines that will inject nasty venom into anyone who steps or puts a hand down on one. It is highly unlikely to kill you, but you the following is a list of symptoms associated with a sting from this fish:
Severe Local Pain, Swelling
Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhoea
Shortness of breath
High or Low blood pressure, rapid or slow heart rate
Fainting, Delirium, Seizures, Paralysis
Treatment recommended is:
Wash the area with salt water. Remove any foreign material at the wound site. Contact the hospital. Soak the wound in the hottest water the person can tolerate for 30 to 90 minutes, if instructed to do so. Contact Poison Control Centre for appropriate treatment instructions.
Beyond The Blue is all too aware that accidentally stepping on a scorpion fish is rare, but the number of people with health care problems or who need hospital visits whilst travelling is not so rare. During our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness workshop we examine the subject of what to do if you find yourself in need of medical care, when you are far away from home. We also discuss the different types of insurance available and the importance of choosing the one that is going to best suit the needs of your travel plans.
Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com
Image – ©Peter Mayhew
No comments:
Post a Comment