Late-season sting shows jellyfish are still lurking

06.04.2010

A 10-YEAR-OLD boy was rushed to hospital
after being stung by an irukandj i in Bowen
yesterday.
He was in a stable condition yesterday
afternoon following the Horseshoe Bay
incident about 11am.
But Townsville lifeguard supervisor
Russell Blanchard said it was a timely
reminder to residents that stingers were still
prevalent in North Queensland waters.
"It is best to play it safe and swim in
patrolled areas and between the flags," he
said.
Mr Blanchard said clubs' stinger nets
would be withdrawn from The Strand in
May, after surf lifesavers stop their regular
patrols after the May Day weekend.
They are still around, but the chances of
getting stung are slimmer," he said.
The lifeguard said a drop in water
temperature and change in current
conditions made the North's waters less
appealing for stingers.
But he said if people were swimming on
unpatrolled beaches and were stung, they
should immediately pour vinegar on the
wound and call 000.
"Vinegar is the best thing for any sting," he
said.
If on a patrolled beach, swimmers should
notify a lifeguard.
"We have oxygen and other means to help
look after people if they are stung," he said.
No other stings were reported over the
Easter long weekend.