Venomous marine creatures include the blue-ringed octopus, jellyfish, stonefish, stinging fish, and cone shells.
Blue-ringed octopus may be found in rock pools, and bites can occur when people touch them or stand on them. The octopus shows their blue markings only when disturbed. Bites from a blue-ringed octopus are potentially fatal. For suspected blue-ringed octopus bites, call 000 for an ambulance, use the pressure-immobilisation technique, and have the patient taken immediately to the emergency department of the nearest hospital.
Box jellyfish (Chironex fleckeri) are found mostly in the warm waters north of the Tropic of Capricorn. Stings are potentially fatal. For all jellyfish stings north of Gladstone, treat as if the sting was from a box jellyfish.
Douse the tentacles with vinegar, and then call 000 for an ambulance. If the patient isn't breathing start "mouth-to-mouth" resuscitation. Do not attempt to remove the tentacles. Do not rub the sting.
(Photo: Box jellyfish, courtesy of Paul Sutherland)
Other jellyfish can produce painful stings. Remove any remaining adherent tentacles by washing with water, and once removed apply ice packs to relieve the pain. The patient should see their local doctor if the pain is severe and not relieved by pain-killers.
Stonefish stings are potentially fatal. For all stonefish stings call 000 for an ambulance, and have the patient taken immediately to the emergency department of the nearest hospital. Antivenom is available.
Stinging fish, including butterfly cod, scorpion cod, cobbler, catfish, happy moments and flathead, can produce painful injuries.For these stings, soaking the affected area in warm (not scalding) water for up to one hour may relieve the pain. If pain persists, the sting has caused a deep wound, or other symptoms are present, the patient should see their local doctor.
The cone shell has a small "harpoon" that can penetrate the skin and cause envenomation. The venom can very quickly cause life-threatening paralysis. For all stings from a cone shell call 000 for an ambulance, use the pressure-immobilisation technique, and have the patient taken immediately to the emergency department of the nearest hospital.
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© The State of Queensland (Queensland Health) 2008.
