Our yacht charters at Valencia Yachts are constantly brimming with water sports lovers who love to indulge in water toy plays or swimming in the seas of Singapore all year round. We know we all love to bask in the outdoor sunshine under the clear blue skies and get wet at our island stopovers at Lazarus or Kusu Islands.
However, we must still take precautions of another foreseeable sea danger – the jellyfish sting in Singapore. This is one of the Singapore water dangers we often face while on a yacht charter vacation, usually almost only for people indulge in water toy plays. The threat of jellyfish often looms large among water sports enthusiasts. This article describes the current situation of jellyfish sting – the common locations of jellyfish in Singapore, the causes, symptoms and treatments in the event of mishaps, and everything else you need to know about jellyfish stings.
Jellyfish Locations In Singapore
In Singapore, the jellyfish are found everywhere – not just the seas, but also some of the lakes. Of course, other than the Adventure Cove waterpark in Sentosa, the natural ones can also be found elsewhere. There were reports of sightings of the venomous box jellyfish at Siloso Beach, Sentosa (read article). Another one was sighted at Tanjong Beach near FOC in Sentosa (article here). But off Sentosa, at nearby Lazarus Island, swimmers or even water toy lovers of the floating water mat and stand up paddle boards (activities which our guests often do) especially, jellyfish stings often occur.
Read this article about such jellyfish occurrences off Sentosa
What Causes A Jellyfish Sting
Credit: First Aid Training Cooperative
Brushing against a jellyfish tentacle results in a sting. There are thousands of tiny barbed stingers on tentacles. Every stinger has a little bulb that holds toxin and a curled, sharp-tipped tube.
Stingers are released by tiny triggers on the surface of a tentacle when you brush against it. The venom is released when the tube penetrates the skin. It influences the area of contact and may enter the circulation system.
When touched, jellyfish that have washed up on a beach may continue to release venomous stingers.
The Box Jellyfish
The box jellyfish is the world’s most lethal jellyfish. They have tentacles that extend from each corner of their box-like bodies, which is why they are sometimes called sea wasps. Confine jellyfish live tropical regions all over the planet. They are typically found in the Indo-Pacific Ocean and along Australia’s northern coast. There are in excess of 40 types of box jellyfish. The Australian box jellyfish is the world’s most lethal jellyfish.
Read this article for more info – https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/jellyfish-stings/symptoms-causes/syc-20353284
Symptoms Of Jellyfish Sting
You may experience mild pain, itching, burning, or throbbing following a minor jellyfish sting. A rash with red, purple, or brown patches may be the appearance of a jellyfish sting.
Stings from jellyfish that are more serious can cause more harm. If you have symptoms that are more severe, you need to see a doctor right away. The symptoms can be found in the image below that summarises it.
Credit: Cleveland Clinic
Diagnosis Of Jellyfish Sting
Most jellyfish stings don’t need clinical consideration from your medical care supplier. If you go to the doctor, they will probably be able to tell if you had a jellyfish sting by looking at it. It’s possible that your injury still has stingers. If that’s the case, your doctor might take a sample of the stingers to see if it’s the right treatment.
Treatment Of Jellyfish Sting
First, get rid of the sting. It is typically least demanding to scratch the sting away with a stick or Mastercard – something with an edge. To get rid of the stuck tentacles, slide or scrape the edge along your skin. Do not attempt to remove them with your hands. Even after the stings have been removed from the jellyfish, they can still cause irritation, so be careful not to touch the stick or card and dispose of it or clean it right away.
Then, flush the impacted region with ocean water to wash away any leftover stings.
Applying a heat pack or immersing the affected area in warm water (more than 45 degrees Celsius) as soon as possible can be helpful in relieving pain. A decent hot shower will help enormously. This might appear to be irrational however the proteins in the toxin from the jellyfish will be separated by the intensity.
Itching and pain relief may be alleviated with over-the-counter medications. For guidance, consult your pharmacist. You can easily get some from Guardian or Watsons Pharmaceutical.
Prevention Of Jellyfish Sting In Singapore
Navigating the waters around Sentosa Island to Singapore’s Southern Islands by yacht is a thrilling adventure, but encountering jellyfish can be a concern. To stay safe, it’s vital to know your jellyfish – Moon Jellyfish, Upside-down Jellyfish, and the dangerous Box Jellyfish are the most common species found here. Protective clothing, like full-body suits, gloves, and booties, provide a barrier against stings, especially if you’re swimming or diving. Refrain from touching marine life to avoid accidental contact, and choose eco-friendly, biodegradable sunscreens that won’t harm marine creatures.
Keep an eye on local news and weather updates for jellyfish alerts. Equip your yacht with a first-aid kit that includes vinegar and pain relief medication for immediate treatment if a sting does occur. Not to worry – our crew has local experience for guidance on safe areas. They will know how to treat any injury from jellyfish in the event of any guest injury. Being proactive about safety helps ensure your yacht chartering experience is safe and enjoyable. It’s also best to get a specialised related insurance that can reimburse you for claims against such injury.
Conclusion
A jellyfish sting is also inevitable in Singapore, provided you wish to do water sports in the sea or even relax on the water mat floating on the sea. Surely, water loving guests would love to get soaked upon their yacht charter stopover with Valencia Yachts. But sometimes, jellyfish, as sea creatures, would wish to defend itself against any possible encounters that seem unfriendly to them. Hence, you might get stung as a result.
It is best to consult a medical practitioner or a local doctor in Singapore to get treatment for your jellyfish sting. We have a first aid kit box that treats it too. As long as it is treated immediately, you are be sure to be in safe hands. At Valencia Yachts, your safety, even from jellyfish stings, are to be taken seriously too.