Sealife

Blue-ringed octopus

FEATURES:
Small ( 20 cm from tip to tip) with dark blotches on body and tentacles.
Bright blue rings flash as a warning.
Non-aggressive - will bite only if handled, stood on or removed from water.

FOUND:
in small rockpools, under rocks, and under rubble (shells, bottles and tins) in shallow water.

PRECAUTIONS:
DO NOT TOUCH or disturb any creature that you think may be a Blue-ringed octopus.
Check carefully before removing any bottle or tin from the water.

TREATMENT:
As the bite is not painful, the victim may not realise they have been bitten until symptoms begin.

Symptoms:
tingling numbness in mouth, spreading to the rest of the face and neck, trouble seeing, speaking and vomiting usually   occurs . Breathing becomes difficult, leading to collapse and paralysis.

Treatment:

• Apply pressure-immobilisation method immediately to bite area (refer to snake bite treatment).
• Take the victim to a doctor or hospital.
• Give artificial respiration if breathing stops.
• Maintain breathing until medical help can be given.

Jellyfish - Bluebottles (Portuguese man-of-war)

FEATURES:
Bluebottles are related to jellyfish. They are blue, transparent, gas-filled floats around 7 cms long with dark-blue tentacles of up to 10 metres in length.

FOUND:
drifts on the surface of warm water, blown by the wind; washed ashore.

PRECAUTIONS:

DO NOT TOUCH any jellyfish-like animal that has been washed onto the beach as venom can still be discharged from the  stinging cells.

In case of an emergency only swim in areas patrolled by life-savers.

Be alert to any one swimming in the same area that is stung, leave the water to avoid being stung yourself.

TREATMENT:

DO NOT TRY TO PULL OFF TENTACLE PIECES STILL STICKING TO THE SKIN as they may sting again.

• Pour vinegar onto any tentacle pieces still sticking to the skin, wipe or brush them off later.
• Commercial sting & bite products may ease the pain.
• If reaction is severe take the victim to a doctor.

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