On an average, over nine persons were stung by jellyfish along Goa’s coastline everyday over the last three months, as the seas off the state witnessed a sharp surge in jellyfish activity during the period.
Over the last three months, the beaches off North Goa reported 140 jellyfish sting incidents, with Calangute and Baga beaches reporting as many as 60 incidents, while 20 jellyfish sting incidents were reported off Sinquerim.
The bulk of the jellyfish attacks, 710, were reported along beaches in South Goa with 225 incidents reported off Betalbatim alone, while Colva reported 180 incidents and Benaulim and Zalor beaches reporting 50 instances each.
At a recent swimathon event in South Goa, Drishti lifesavers attended to 125 participants who were stung by jellyfish and treated using vinegar spray.
Jellyfish are of two kinds, toxic and non-toxic. While most jellyfish stings are harmless to humans and cause only mild irritation; in very rare cases jellyfish species can cause harm on contact.
Drishti Lifesavers are trained to provide first aid in emergency situations; consequently, during a first-aid emergency caused by a jellyfish sting, Drishti Lifesavers adhere to precise protocols,
- Jellyfish attack victims are treated with vinegar spray. To cover larger crowds, the towers are well stocked with vinegar spray bottles.
- Drishti lifesavers apply hot water to the affected area to prevent the spread of toxins.
- Tweezers are available with Drishti lifesavers to pluck out jellyfish tentacles, if found on the skin.
- The public is also made aware of the presence of jellyfish through announcements made from the PA system mounted on a vehicle.
Drishti Marine advises immediate first-aid precautions that should be taken in case a person comes in contact with the jellyfish:
- If stung by a jellyfish inform the nearest lifesaver or approach the lifesaver tower.
- Wash the stung area with hot water (as hot as you can stand it) as heat furtherbreaks down the toxins.
- Generously spray the stung area with vinegar. It is known to diffuse any poison that maybe more active in the nematocysts present in the tentacles.
- Place icepacks on the stung area to reduce the pain and swelling.
- In case of chest pain and breathing difficulty, visit the doctor immediately.
Drishti Marine, the state-appointed professional water rescue and lifesaver agency advises locals as well as tourists to be cautious of the presence of jellyfish that could possibly be present in the waters or along the shoreline.
