OT: Stepped on a Stingray

[TampaSnooker]

I've been walking the flats of Tampa and the Bahamas for 15+ years. I've sidestepped and kicked dozens of rays without incident. Today was a different story. I felt the fins flutter as I stepped on it then felt the pierce a second later in the top of my foot. It wasn't for another 10 sec when the pain started that I fully realized what I"d done - I think there was some denial going on...

Lessons learned worth sharing: It's the small ones that'll get you. The bigger ones are old and wise enough to stay away. The little ones do not know that you don't necessarily see them. EXCEPT when you are fighting a fish and realize that a big one has been following your excited footsteps looking for crabs - that's how my buddy got it...

The cure: Hot water. I didn't try the pee trick - the buddy mentioned above said it did nothing but humiliate him - especially when it's just you and the guys... I had searing pain all day on the boat which stayed in the foot. Once in the car, floor heat on my foot started to soothe a bit. Once at home, a bucket of scalding water broke down the venom immediately and now I'm back to 100%. Second concern would be infection, so make sure to keep antiseptic wipes in your boating/hiking/outdoor gear.

Good times. :spin2:

 

[jk1138]

Ugh! Sorry man, but glad you are going better.

 

[Agua Salado]

Oy, that's a beaut... aaaaugh.

Glad you are feeling better. Aways make sure to do the stingray shuffle this time of year.

 

[Gimplar]

thats why you gotta do the sting ray shuffle or wear shoes! but even then they can get ya in the leg. Hope ya recoop fast!

 

[ghost78]

Thoes wounds are not to be taken lightly, you should get to your doctor ASAP for a quick dose of antibiotics. Comenly they get infected with vibrio and you could end up with a nasty infection despite you feeling better.

 

[naterealbig]

+1 on the infection. I got stung on the hand by a stingray a few years ago (don't ask ). It stayed an open wound for 9 months.

 

[bhsgk]

+1 on the antibiotics. ive seen enough innocent little wounds lead to a very big problem.

 

[screamincamaro]

I think the pee thing is only supposed to work on jellyfish stings. +1 on having it looked at for antibiotics. Those types of wounds can be slow healing also.

 

[TampaSnooker]

By coincidence, I'm already on antibiotics for another issue. I had bacitracin on the boat and some kind on antiseptic wipe. The wound looks great this morning and I don't foresee any further issues. All pain went immediately away with hot water - please keep that in mind if you are ever get hit by a ray.

Shoes? I've seen them pierce double layered vinyl. My neoprene booties didn't even slow it down. I actually feel safer walking barefoot since I can feel them before putting my weight on them to trigger a response - as long as there aren't too many oysters in the area to cut up my feet.