Sailor fights for life after jellyfish sting

by Nancy Knudsen on 4 Dec 2009 A fully protective 'stinger suit' was not enough to save a 29-year-old sailor from being stung by the deadly Irukandji jelly fish when he dived head first off a yacht in the waters inside Australia's Great Barrier Reef this week.

He was stung in the face when he dived into the water, and was transferred by the Central Queensland Helicopter Rescue back to the nearest island. He is now in a serious condition in Queensland's Mackay Base Hospital in Mackay.

Those visiting the Great Barrier Reef and the islands inside it have long been warned never to enter the water in any month with an 'r' in it, although now the official season is from November to May. The 'stinger suit' the man was wearing is a lightweight version of a wet suit that covers everything but the face, feet and hands and helps protect against the many varieties of venomous jellyfish that are prevalent in summer.

The Irukandji is a deadly jellyfish, which is only 2.5 centimeters (with bell and tentacles) in diameter, which makes it difficult to spot, and is so small that it can go through the nets which protect swimmers at some beaches from other jellyfish.

Named after the Aboriginal tribe that inhabited the Palm Cove region of the Barrier Reef, the tiny killer is believed to be the most venomous creature in the world.

It is a species that has been known about in recent years, due to deaths of swimmers in Australia.

The first was in 2002, when 58-year-old British citizen Richard Jordon was stung while swimming off the coast of the Barrier Reef Island of Hamilton and died a few days later.

The jellyfish's sting can cause shooting pains in the muscles and chest, vomiting, restlessness and anxiety. Occasionally it can lead to a rapid rise in blood pressure and heart failure.

Sailors who visit north eastern waters of Australia are constantly urged to take maximum care during the 'stinger' season.