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In Hawaii's Ocean Waters . . .


SOME DANGEROUS AND VENOMOUS ORGANISMS


LEI

Sea Critters
That Can Really Hurt You!

CLICK ON THE
SEA CREATURE'S NAME
FOR INFORMATION ABOUT IT
AND FOR
BASIC FIRST AID TREATMENT ADVICE
-- SEA CREATURE MENU --
Anemone
 Barracuda
 Cone Snail or Shell
Coral
 Jellyfish
 Moray Eel
Needle Fish
 Octopus
 Portuguese
Man-of-War
Scorpion Fish
 Sea Snake
 Sea Urchin
Shark
 Squid
 Stinging Limu
(Seaweed)
Stingray
 Surgeonfish
 Tube Worm


LEI

Detailed First Aid Treatment Advice
Can Also Be Obtained At Our
ALL STINGS CONSIDERED Web Pages
- Click to Them Starting Here!

LEI
[SEA ANEMONE] Anemone
COMMON HABITAT All Hawaiian waters from tide pools to deep offshore waters.
PREVENTION Avoid direct contact with skin. While tide pooling use footwear and don't put fingers/hands into holes and crevices.
INJURY MECHANISM Tentacles have stinging cells that are used for catching prey.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS Burning and itching sensation, redness and swelling where contact was made. Severe Reaction: may include shortness of breath; loss of consciousness.
FIRST AID TREATMENT Rinse thoroughly with fresh or salt water. Apply ice for pain. IMMEDIATE medical attention may be required for severe reactions.

[ Top of the Page | Sea Creature Menu ]

[BARRACUDA] Barracuda
COMMON HABITAT Open waters/bay areas in the shadows, under floating objects.
PREVENTION Don't wear shiny objects. They are attracted to reflective things that look like dinner.
INJURY MECHANISM Sharp jagged teeth with strong tearing jaws.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS Slashed and jagged tears in your skin.
FIRST AID TREATMENT Stop bleeding with pressure. Get medical help.

[ Top of the Page | Sea Creature Menu ]

[CONE SHELL] Cone Snail
COMMON HABITAT Tide pools, sandy areas, shallow to deep offshore waters.
PREVENTION Do not handle (even with gloves), especially near tip.
INJURY MECHANISM Poisonous, dart-like mechanism near tip used for stunning and killing fish and invertebrates.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS Stinging, burning pain, numbness, coma or cardiac arrest.
FIRST AID TREATMENT Scrub the wound. Get medical help for severe reactions.

[ Top of the Page | Sea Creature Menu ]

[CORAL] Coral
COMMON HABITAT All depths.
PREVENTION Protect feet while tide pooling or reef walking. Don't touch coral. Stay out of rough shallow waters.
INJURY MECHANISM Sharp edges cause abrasions and lacerations.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS Bleeding, torn skin causing irritation, mild swelling.
FIRST AID TREATMENT Stop any bleeding with pressure, clean thoroughly with soap and water. Get medical help for deep cuts and embedded pieces.

[ Top of the Page | Sea Creature Menu ]

[JELLYFISH] Jellyfish
COMMON HABITAT Very common in all water bodies. Box jellyfish, Carybdea alata and Carybdea rastonii, regularly swarm to Hawaii's Leeward shores 9 to 10 days after the full moon. Carybdea alata cause the most "trouble" for humans in Hawai`i.
PREVENTION Don't go into areas where sighted, or if dead ones are seen on the beach. Observe posted signs.
INJURY MECHANISM Stinging tentacles.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS Stinging, burning, redness, swelling of lymph nodes. Severe reaction: difficulty with breathing and cardiac arrest. Occasional long welt lines.
FIRST AID TREATMENT Douse with vinegar. Apply ice for pain. IMMEDIATE medical attention may be required for severe reactions.

[ Top of the Page | Sea Creature Menu ]

[MORAY EEL] Moray Eel
COMMON HABITAT Rocky areas, in holes, under rocks, crevices and tide pool ledges.
PREVENTION Keep hands out of rocky areas, holes and crevices. Use stick to probe. Dead fish, blood or bait will bring them out of their holes.
INJURY MECHANISM Razor sharp teeth, powerful jaws.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS Bleeding, severe muscle damage, but more commonly tendon and nerve damage.
FIRST AID TREATMENT Stop bleeding with pressure, clean thoroughly. Get medical help (guard against infection).

[ Top of the Page | Sea Creature Menu ]

[NEEDLEFISH] Needle Fish
COMMON HABITAT Near surface in bay areas and open waters.
PREVENTION Use caution when night lighting/fishing.
INJURY MECHANISM Long pointed jaw.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS Pointed jaw may puncture and break off leaving a puncture wound.
FIRST AID TREATMENT If point doesn't break off, clean with antiseptic if stabbed. If point breaks off do not remove it. Stop any bleeding with pressure. Get medical help immediately!

[ Top of the Page | Sea Creature Menu ]

 
[PORTUGUESE MAN-OF-WAR] Portuguese Man-of-War
(Bluebottle - Physalia spp,)
COMMON HABITAT Open ocean. Bays and beaches during strong onshore winds.
PREVENTION Avoid areas where they frequent. Usually found when winds blow in from the ocean onto land. Observe posted signs.
INJURY MECHANISM Long blue, threadlike tentacles.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS Stinging, burning, redness, swelling of lymph nodes. Severe reaction: difficulty with breathing and cardiac arrest. Long welt lines.
FIRST AID TREATMENT Pick off any visible tentacles. Rinse with fresh or salt water. Apply ice for pain. IMMEDIATE medical attention may be required for severe reactions.

[ Top of the Page | Sea Creature Menu ]

[SCORPION FISH] Scorpion Fish
COMMON HABITAT Protected ledges, rocky areas, and shallow inshore areas.
PREVENTION Do not handle. Keep out of crevices and places into which you can't see.
INJURY MECHANISM Toxic dorsal, pelvic, and anal spines.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS Punctured skin, extreme pain, throbbing for hours. Sometimes convulsions and cardiac arrest; but rarely, in Hawai`i, such very serious reactions.
FIRST AID TREATMENT Immerse in hot water to tolerance. Get medical help for serious reactions or for infection.

[ Top of the Page | Sea Creature Menu ]

[SEA SNAKE] Yellow Bellied
Sea Snake
COMMON HABITAT Seldom found in Hawaiian waters.
PREVENTION If sighted stay clear, leave the area. Report to the Waikiki Aquarium.
INJURY MECHANISM Venom through fangs.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS Paralysis, severe pain, cardiac arrest.
FIRST AID TREATMENT Keep the victim calm and warm. Transport to a medical facility or call 911 for an ambulance, IMMEDIATELY.

[ Top of the Page | Sea Creature Menu ]

[SEA URCHIN] Sea Urchin
COMMON HABITAT Shallow reef areas to 100 foot depths.
PREVENTION Wear foot protection. Don't walk on rocky areas with poor visibility. Do not handle!
INJURY MECHANISM Long, extremely brittle spines.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS Throbbing pain. Purplish discoloration.
FIRST AID TREATMENT Pull out protruding spines. If spines(s) is/are in a joint, nerve, or when wound is infected - get medical help.

[ Top of the Page | Sea Creature Menu ]

[SHARK] Shark
(See our Shark pages.)
COMMON HABITAT Shallow inshore waters to open ocean.
PREVENTION Avoid murky waters. Leave water if sighted, if you have an open cut or are pulling a string of speared fish. Try not to look like food.
INJURY MECHANISM Jaws and rows of razor sharp teeth. Abrasions from sandpaper-like skin.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS Severe bleeding, injury to or excision of muscle, bone and appendages.
FIRST AID TREATMENT Control bleeding with pressure. Transport to medical facility or call 911 for an ambulance for severe shark attack bites.

[ Top of the Page | Sea Creature Menu ]

[SQUID]

[OCTOPUS]		 Squid
or
Octopus
COMMON HABITAT Squid - open ocean, free swimming.

Octopus - on bottom in rocky areas from tide pools to deep waters.
PREVENTION Do not handle.
INJURY MECHANISM Beak-like teeth.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS Bleeding, mild stinging and throbbing.
FIRST AID TREATMENT Stop bleeding with pressure, clean thoroughly with soap and water. Get medical help for deep cuts and embedded beak pieces.

[ Top of the Page | Sea Creature Menu ]

[STINGRAY] Stingray
COMMON HABITAT Shallow, sandy areas to deep oceans.
PREVENTION Shuffle feet when walking in shallow inshore waters. Stay clear of disturbed (swimming) ray. Do Not Molest!
INJURY MECHANISM Tail with poisonous barb near base of body.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS Lacerations and severe pain. Punctures in abdomen or chest are very serious - a medical emergency.
FIRST AID TREATMENT Stop any bleeding, clean thoroughly with mild soap and water. Immerse in hot water to tolerance for pain. Get medical treatment for deep cuts and embedded barb pieces. Do not try to remove pieces yourself - get medical help.

[ Top of the Page | Sea Creature Menu ]

[SURGEONFISH] Surgeonfish
COMMON HABITAT Wave zone to 150 foot depths.
PREVENTION Take care in handling.
INJURY MECHANISM Spine and knife-like razors near tail.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS Throbbing pain, itching, bleeding and numbness.
FIRST AID TREATMENT Stop bleeding with pressure, clean thoroughly with soap and water. Get medical treatment for deep cuts and embedded spine pieces. Do not try to remove pieces yourself.

[ Top of the Page | Sea Creature Menu ]

[TUBE WORM] Tube Worm
COMMON HABITAT Shallow reef areas.
PREVENTION Use protective footwear and gloves.
INJURY MECHANISM Hardened, razor sharp opening to worm's shelter.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS Circular cut with fragments that may be embedded. Bleeding.
FIRST AID TREATMENT Stop bleeding with pressure, clean thoroughly with soap and water. Get medical treatment for deep cuts and embedded pieces. Do not try to remove pieces yourself.

[ Top of the Page | Sea Creature Menu ]

PLEASE NOTE WELL - A DISCLAIMER: The first aid information provided above is up-to-date and accurate, as far as we know, as of June, 2003. The information provided above is for general purpose use and furnished as guidance that is suggestive, not prescriptive, invasive, or medical in nature. You should always consult with or see a medical practitioner for definitive health care information or to receive medical treatment.

LEI

Detailed First Aid Treatment Advice
Can Also Be Obtained At Our
ALL STINGS CONSIDERED Web Pages
- Click to Them Starting Here!

LEI

Search
Amazon.com
for the
Latest Books on
Dangerous
Marine Animals:

Keyword Search:

Press Go! to Search!
In Association with Amazon.com

Search the Internet using Yahoo! for web pages on dangerous marine animals by clicking here.


[ Top of the Page | Sea Creature Menu ]

LEI

HERE ARE SOME
BASIC OCEAN SAFETY TIPS:

  • Swim in Lifeguarded Areas
  • Never Swim Alone
  • Don't Dive Into Unknown Water or Into Shallow Breaking Waves
  • Ask a Lifeguard About Beach and Surf Conditions Before Swimming
  • If You Are Unable to Swim Out of a Strong Current, Signal for Help
  • Rely on Your Swimming Ability Rather Than a Flotation Device
  • Look For, Read and Obey All Beach Safety Signs and Symbols
  • If In Doubt, Just Stay Out!
LEI

[HAMMERHEAD SHARK]

And, just when you thought it was safe to read on . . .

Visit our SHARK pages by clicking here.

Click here for telephone numbers you can call to report a sighting of large (i.e., more than eight feet long), aggressive sharks in Hawai`i.

[WAIKIKI AQUARIUM BUTTON]



See several shark species safely, live, at Honolulu's Waikiki Aquarium!


The aquarium is also just a great place to visit to see and learn about Hawai`i and the Pacific Basin's ocean environment, indigenous marine organisms, reefs and coral, seals, and efforts to save and protect them.

[ Top of the Page | Sea Creature Menu ]

LEI

Return to the Hale (Home) Aloha Page. You can also use the following links to continue your beach and ocean tour of Oahu's North Shore, South Shore, East Shore, or West Shore.

Or, you can go to the Beach Directory for a listing of all the beaches covered in these pages.


LEI

The line drawings and information concerning the "critters" on this page are from the book A Guide to Beach Survival by Ken Suiso and Rell Sunn and are used with Rell's permission. First aid information was furnished by Craig Thomas, M.D. and Susan Scott -- get their book, ALL STINGS CONSIDERED, FIRST AID AND MEDICAL TREATMENT OF HAWAI`I'S MARINE INJURIES.


LEI

Search this site or the Web with Google:

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[ A Gathering... ]Suggestions, comments and recommendations are welcomed. These pages are a project of the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association, a not for profit, professional association of Hawaii's lifeguards devoted to the advancement of lifesaving services and public education on beach and ocean safety.

[ Brainy Smurf ] Web Developer: This page is maintained by J. B. Lee. You can reach me by email by clicking here.
Last modified: 07-Mar-2005 03:03 PM


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Source URI: http://www.aloha.com/~lifeguards/critters.html

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Aloha . . . malama i ke kai!