From: Lost Boy
Category: Fish Report
Date: 4/25/2003
Time: 8:40:42 AM
For Sting Ray wounds, immediately submerged into HOT Water, as hot as the victim can stand or tolerate. Even Coffee from a thermos is good, just get Hot Water on it as soon as possible to stop the pain and reduce swelling and chance of infection. A few years ago a buddy from upstate got whipped and after a painful week he had many problems with infection and even required a hospital stay with massive doses of drugs to help with his problem.... very serious stuff. He still carries a nasty scar to this day and is lucky other complications did not set in. I learned of hot water after this experience from a coastal doctor and had the opportunity to use it on my eldest son this past fall on the banks. While trying to return a ray to the ocean, my son got whipped through his rubber boot and stung on the ankle. He was dancing up the beach in immediate pain after the lancing wound and we treated him immediately with hot water off the stove of the camper. He said the hot water was worse than the wound, but you could see the swelling and redness disappear before your very eyes. It was that quick, and after about a 20 to 30 minute soaking, my son said he felt no pain or discomfort. We still gave him some aspirin just in case and had it looked after when we returned home, but he had no further complications. Hot water, to the point of pain (not skin burning) is good stuff for a ray wound. Even after the treatment, get it looked after... those creatures carry some nasty stuff on their tails and can inflict a lot of toxins.... my buddy Butch can attest to that. Looking forward to the fall and crossing some lines with all my friends, I remain the Lost Boy