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WE ALL KNOW the common wisdom that the only cure for a jellyfish sting is within you.
Literally.
However, with sightings of one of the world’s deadliest jellyfish around Ireland, it’s important to note that the common wisdom is all too common and not very wise.
The EPA and county councils have warned bathers that the lion’s mane jellyfish has been spotted off the coasts of Cork, Dublin and Galway.
While the larger of the species can be deadly, the ones found in Irish waters are comparatively small, says Pat Ó Suilleabhain of The National Sea Life Centre in Bray.
“Our waters are much too warm for the larger versions. You could find some with a bell (body) of two metres and tentacles up to 60 metres. But the ones here are much smaller.”
That size difference doesn’t mean that if you were to get stung, it wouldn’t hurt.
“The stings are quite painful. It can be irritating and blister and some people end up with muscle cramp. Respiratory and heart problems are very rare, though.
“The first thing you should do is rinse the sting with sea water. Peeing on it does absolutely nothing.
Then, apply a dry cold pack to the area – like ice cubes in a plastic bag wrapped in a t-shirt. If it doesn’t improve, then seek medical help.
While the jellyfish only have a lifespan of a year, dead ones can still sting, so Ó Suilleabhain recommends staying clear if you see one washed up on a beach.
Ultimately, he says, avoiding stings is fairly simple.
“If you see one, swim away. The water is their natural habitat, not ours, but we’re much stronger swimmers.
“As long as we’re careful, they need not be a danger.”
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Great, 84 new real estate agents.
I’ll cross my fingers for them as I believe the Central Bank just strangled their golden goose.
The main problem we have is the amount of money being taken out of our economy to service a debt run up by irresponsible banks, both here and abroad. Until that problem is tackled there just isn’t enough money in our economy for real sustained growth for indigenous businesses. I’ve only stayed in business because I did not have huge loans to service and I was able to keep my overheads low. Ive seen plenty of good businesses go under because they can no longer sustain the overheads imposed by landlords & councils that still work on tiger prices.
Michael,
The banks were less than half the problem. The collapse of govt revenue and inability to cut the servicing of public services quickly to match revenue was just as big a problem
That’s true James.
Isn’t that it will “beat all predictions” a prediction, meaning that it can never actually beat all predictions?
Another flash in the pan.
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