rancho guillermo
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stingray shuffle
Long timers obviously know of this move. With summer here maybe a good time for a reminder. Are stingrays only a summer time concern? How about in
December? Lookin for the Baja Nomad knowledge.
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David K
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See my most recent trip report.. in shallow water, but far out at lowest monthly tide.
Treat sting rays with a HOT water... soak. Make sure the water is not so hot it will damage skin, but just hot enough the victim can stand. The heat
helps neutralize the venom.
It worked on Josh's foot... but he was on his back for most of the day.
At the doctor's office today, they said that was the best thing to do and the gash did not require stitches... it did bleed a few times, probably
because he got up too soon.
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SFandH
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Wear a pair of water shoes. There are all sorts these days. Not 100% protection but a whole lot better than barefoot. And they protect your feet from
sharp rocks, shells, etc.
I spend my baja time on Bahia Concepcion, a lot of time in the water, and because of stingrays I don't go in without water shoes. I got hit twice
before I bought a pair.
I've seen stingrays in the winter too, but not too many.
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bajabuddha
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Stingrays live in sandy bottoms and shallow waters year round. They feed on bottom crud and clams, so they're always a possibility. During mating
season they'll be three-deep sometimes. Use a ray-stick and walk the 'stingray shuffle' for sure. I've never been whacked but treated a
half-dozen... not a good thang for sure.
Treat w/ hot water like DK sez, and keep adding to it so it doesn't cool down. SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. The docs I knew in Baja tell of all the
bacteria on their backs/barbs from being in the murky mud, and infections can be really nasty, so as well as triple A there should be a regimen of
oral antibiotics. One doc lanced a wound, debrided it and put in a stich as well.... depends on the wound and location. Feet and ankles are most at
risk, and not a good place to develop an infection.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, so be cautious. There by the grace of Andy Murphy go I.... knock on wood (my head will do)
I don't have a BUCKET LIST, but I do have a F***- IT LIST a mile long!
86 - 45*
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yumawill
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Having lived on a sandy beach for 40 years. I always try to swim in an area that has been throughly swept of Sting Rays by mobs of screaming children.
Maybe it's a Darwinian thing.
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blackwolfmt
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Pompano,, used too have great Stingray shuffle stories,,sure miss that guys posts
So understand dont waste your time always searching for those wasted years
face up and make your stand and realize that your living in the golden years
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BigBearRider
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I wore neoprene scuba booties when I got stung two years ago. I have a little scar on the top of my foot still.
Most stingrays disappeared from outside Punta Chivato after Hurricane Newton. I've only seen a few since then. I'm sure they'll be back.
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Beagle
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A while back someone posted an over the counter spray that you could get in Farmacias (mex only) that was supposed to be an amazing pain reliever for
these stings. Anyone know or remember? Would like to pick some up in a few weeks. It had a strange medical name is all I remember.
someone else said the Benadryl spray is supposed to help so now we have that in the kit too.
thanks
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bajabuddha
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Quote: Originally posted by Beagle  | A while back someone posted an over the counter spray that you could get in Farmacias (mex only) that was supposed to be an amazing pain reliever for
these stings. Anyone know or remember? Would like to pick some up in a few weeks. It had a strange medical name is all I remember.
someone else said the Benadryl spray is supposed to help so now we have that in the kit too.
thanks |
No, and no. All the topical sprays and miracle relievers don't cut it; you've never been whacked. A good friend, a big stappin' guy was reduced to
the edge of whiteness and wanting to either faint or throw up (or both) in a matter of minutes trying to 'tough it out'. All you're doing with the
miracle relievers is propagating the myth and lining their profits. Benadryl is an antihistamine, which will help in reducing the initial histamines
(body poisons) that occur, but not a cure-all. I use that for stings of bugs, scorpions and mild anaphylaxis IF the pt. can swallow normally.
Topically I always have B. spray onboard for bites and mild allergies.
Booties don't work; I've seen the barb go through leather. Again, an ounce of prevention... but when hit, quickly as possible HOT water (do not go
TOO hot), antibiotics, and med attention.
I don't have a BUCKET LIST, but I do have a F***- IT LIST a mile long!
86 - 45*
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David K
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At San Felipe, we saw the guy who was on Shell Island with friends fishing (he was at the car wash too)... and he said Dr. Lopez (his daughter who is
also a doctor, in fact) at Km. 35 has a shot for stingray relief.
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mtgoat666
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| Quote: Originally posted by David K | | At San Felipe, we saw the guy who was on Shell Island with friends fishing (he was at the car wash too)... and he said Dr. Lopez (his daughter who is
also a doctor, in fact) at Km. 35 has a shot for stingray relief. |
Mexicans have a shot for everything! I have never seen people so eager to line up for hypodermic needles at the littlest sniffle.
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BajaNomad
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Thread Moved
5-30-2017 at 11:43 PM |
Beagle
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People keep saying antibiotics. Ok, which one? There are many. And do you mean the ointments or the pills? Hot water, yes. Then just start gobbling
Cipro?
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bajabuddha
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| Quote: Originally posted by Beagle | | People keep saying antibiotics. Ok, which one? There are many. And do you mean the ointments or the pills? Hot water, yes. Then just start gobbling
Cipro? |
First off, it's never a good idea to gobble antibiotics indiscriminately. They should be prescribed by a physician, and the kind depends on factors
including what you personally can tolerate; many people have sensitivities and reactions to many strains of meds. Get to a clinic and be seen.
Meantime, AAA on the wound.
I don't have a BUCKET LIST, but I do have a F***- IT LIST a mile long!
86 - 45*
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SFandH
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OK, you go in barefoot because water shoes don't work, I'll wear the protection.
I've been hit twice by these critters. In both cases the water shoes would have prevented injury. I know this because the wounds would have been worse
if the hits were strong enough to penetrate the shoes.
Really.
[Edited on 5-31-2017 by SFandH]
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BajaBlanca
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I agree, the shoe can't hurt!
and do you know what? My take is exactly the same as goats. Too many folks here in town take shots for absolutely anything. Even a young kid can
walk into the clinic, state that he has a cold, and get a shot. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it.
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bajabuddha
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| Quote: Originally posted by SFandH |
OK, you go in barefoot because water shoes don't work, I'll wear the protection.
I've been hit twice by these critters. In both cases the water shoes would have prevented injury. I know this because the wounds would have been worse
if the hits were strong enough to penetrate the shoes.
Really.
[Edited on 5-31-2017 by SFandH] |
I totally agree protective footwear is essential, especially for corals, shells, sharp rocks, etc..... the first whack I witnessed went right through
a shoe and into the ankle bone. It'll slow it down, and no, I don't go in barefoot. Ever. My point was to use a ray stick and shuffle, regardless.
I don't have a BUCKET LIST, but I do have a F***- IT LIST a mile long!
86 - 45*
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toronja
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Certainly something I hope I never experience again. I won't forget the shuffle any time soon!
Stingray venom causes severe muscle cramping in addition to the pain of the wound itself and swelling. Very hot water has been shown to reduce pain
(perhaps because it eases muscle cramping? Science doesn't have an answer for us yet), as can local anesthetic/nerve block or heavy duty painkillers
(which also have a muscle relaxant effect). So, Dr. Lopez's injection won't cure your sting, but it will likely make you a little more comfortable.
The reason for antibiotics is that infection and necrosis are very common in stingray injuries. Anytime you have a deep penetrating wound, it's
difficult to clean effectively.
https://www.acep.org/Clinical---Practice-Management/Stingray...
http://www.fire.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Stin...
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PaulW
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Across the road from the N PMEX (ElDorado entrance) in San Felipe the clinic has treatment for the stingray wound. Dr Lopez & daughter KM 185 or
close
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rancho guillermo
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Thanks everyone for information....Always can count on the Nomads...
Next question...Is there a "bottom of the deck shuffle" in case I get in one of the poker games at "Ana's" that Pompano always talked about?
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