Comments on: Manzanillo Beach Safety- What to do if stung by stingray

By: babaluigi

babaluigi — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:49:52 +0000

Hopefully,if you do get stung, there are no firearms in the immediate vicinity. The pain is severe enough to contemplate shooting one’s self…

By: Manzanillo Blogger

Manzanillo Blogger — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 23:14:28 +0000

That’s a great idea. The meat tenderizer makes you much more palatable to the sharks that are attracted by the blood in the water! JUST KIDDING!!!

It is always good to have a good emergency first aid kit on hand when going to the beach. Be prepared!

By: Susan Dearing

Susan Dearing — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 17:56:54 +0000

As a scuba instructor we see stings from jellyfish, sting rays, and various other creatures. For most of these envenomations, we carry vinegar, meat tenderizer, antihistimine tablets, antibiotics (ciprofloxacin) and hydrocortizone topical cream. The “hydrocortizona” creme in Mexico is much stronger than what is available over the counter in the U.S. so I’d suggest that everyone keep some handy. Meat tenderizer is known here at “alblandador” in the spice section in the supermarket. It is a good idea to research on the Divers Alert Network web site: http://www.diversalertnetwork.org for more information. Here is the link specifically relating to all types of envenomations from the marine environment: http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/medical/articles/article.asp?articleid=36

The sting rays here in Manzanillo will be here through April. They come in when the water gets colder. As the summer season begins in May, most move on to cooler waters as the temperature of the water begins to warm.

If you’re planning to spend some time at the beach (and who woulndn’t–Manzanillo’s beaches are beautiful, it is probably a good idea to put together an emergency first aid kit like we have on our snorkel and dive boats) just in case. Immediate attention to the sting is the key.

By: El zorro platiado

El zorro platiado — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 04:26:54 +0000

Great! I wasn’t even in the water deep enough to swim. The water was only mid-calf when I was stung. It probably looked pretty silly; carrying my boogie board into the water and then nearly immediately turning around and carrying my boogie board out of the water.

Oh well. Maybe boogie boarding after January is a better idea.

By: Manzanillo Blogger

Manzanillo Blogger — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 03:46:39 +0000

Although Mark H is probably right about likelyhood of getting hit crossing the street! Look both ways guys! Even on the one way streets…

By: Manzanillo Blogger

Manzanillo Blogger — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 03:45:29 +0000

Wow, I didn’t know that! Thanks for sharing.

Hey everybody, that’s Andrew Burton the Shark Hunter. He is a zoologist living in Colima, he has studied the animals in this region for decades including Mountain Lions, the volcano, and the marine biology in and around Manzanillo.

He gives all kinds of nature tours and adventure tours for the area. Check out his website at http://shark-hunter-manzanillo.blogspot.com/.

By: Andrew Burton

Andrew Burton — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 17:02:52 +0000

A one-cell thick sheath surrounds the barb. When the barb comes out, the cells stay in the wound, and it is those cells that contain the venom. You should also immediately take a strong antibiotic as there is always the risk of blood poisoning. Electric rays are also present but the shock of the species encountered in the waters around Manzanillo is not particularly powerful.

What is important for people to realize, is that stingrays are going to become more and more abundant because large inshore sharks which are the main predator of stingrays, have disappeared. This means that there is a high probability that if you walk around in the water, instead of swimming, you will be stung. Concentric stingrays will be particularly abundant January onwards.

By: crazy4manzanillo

crazy4manzanillo — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 04:48:09 +0000

not really a beach lover, so i probably have a lesser chance of getting to know a sting-ray!

By: Mark H

Mark H — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 07:03:36 +0000

You are far more likely to be hurt crossing the road to get to the beach!!

By: Scott McMurren

Scott McMurren — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 19:27:34 +0000

Thanks for the tips. We’ve been swimming out here on the far side of Bahia de Santiago near Vida del Mar. So far–no rays. Also went up to Barra de Navidad and Melaque. I think the pelicans scare the rays off up there!