Tips to avoid Marine Creatures
- Always swim at a patrolled beach, between the red and yellow flags
- Look for and obey the safety signs
- Ask a lifesaver/lifeguard for help and advice
- Swim in the stinger nets where provided
Bluebottles
The bluebottle (physalia) is probably the most well known jellyfish around the Australian coastline. Their blue, balloon like sail sits above the water and is attached to a long tentacle extending below it. This tentacle is covered in stinging cells called nematocysts. When this touches the skin it reacts by injecting a small amount of a toxin which causes irritation and can be quite painful.
How to treat a sting:
- Wash off any remaining tentacles with seawater (not freshwater)
- Immerse the patient’s sting in hot water - no hotter than can be easily tolerated for 20 minutes
- If the pain is unrelieved by heat, or if hot water is not available, apply cold packs or ice in a dry plastic bag
- Refer to medical aid for further treatment if condition deteriorates
Sharks
There are also many types of sharks around Australia. Most are harmless to humans. Although humans fear sharks, they are an important part of the ecosystem and a reality of the ocean.
Tips to minimise a shark encounter:
- Avoid swiming at dawn and dusk
- Avoid swimming at river mouths or in murky, discoloured waters
- Avoid swimming in or around schools of baitfish