bowser - 7-20-2005 at 09:18 AM
Tell me about the Sting Ray Shuffle.
We're leaving tomorrow morning for Bahia and thanks to Bajajudy I now am thinking about the shuffle.
Is this for real or is it just fun to pull the chain of a Newbie?
Osprey - 7-20-2005 at 09:35 AM
Our beach is loaded with small bullseye rays. I've had 2 houseguests who got nailed -- both high on the ankle, both wearing water boots. I've
stepped on scores of rays while looking for halibut in the shallows and have yet to get the stinger. The shuffle is probably a good idea but it is no
quarantee.
rpleger - 7-20-2005 at 09:40 AM
It`s not a big deal, it is just a thing you do to keep from getting nailed. Just do it and don`t think about it
The best bet is to do the shuffle briefly
jrbaja - 7-20-2005 at 10:24 AM
and start swimming or snorkeling asap. Keep those feet up!
And keep some hot water handy just in case. Getting stung is VERY painful but if you use the hot water immediately, the whole ordeal will be over in
half an hour.
Stingray Shuffle
bahiamia - 7-20-2005 at 10:47 AM
What you do is just "drag" your feet along as you're entering the water. So you're not taking steps, but just shuffling your feet along. If there
are rays around, you will nudge them away (hopefully), vs. stepping right on top of them.
If you do get hit, yes hot water will help neutralize the venom and give you pretty much instant relief the minute your foot is submerged. And if
it's bleeding, let it bleed some...get all that junk out of there. You'll have to have a way to replenish and keep the water hot though; very hot,
as hot as you can stand it. Been there three times in the past. The last time I got stung I got hit underneath my big toenail. I have no idea how
that happened, pretty good aim on the stingray's part. Took an hour of hot water treatment for that one.
OUCH !!
jrbaja - 7-20-2005 at 10:51 AM
Under the toenail. Damn!
Also, you want to examine the wound to make sure none of the barb has broken off in there. My cousin got it when we were surfing and he got gangrene
I(sp). He lost a pie shaped piece out of his foot because of infection from a piece of stinger.
bahiamia - 7-20-2005 at 10:55 AM
Yeah, it was pretty brutal. But you know what they say, "If it don't kill you, it'll just make you stronger!"