Stingers Return To Gulf Coast
Riding the wind and ocean currents, millions of venomous ocean wanderers with a sail of a neon-blue gas bag and a reach of up to 10 meters are invading the southern and eastern coasts of America.Open water swimmers and beach-goers get entangled in poisonous tentacles and experience painful stings from North and South Carolina and Florida to the Gulf coastal beaches to Texas. The Portuguese man o war is arriving in its annual, painful ritual.
Recent reports from Florida to Alabama tell about thousands of Atlantic Portuguese man o war arriving along the Gulf coast of Texas driven onshore by southeasterly winds and the Gulf Stream. Their painful, powerful sting can cause fever, shock, and interference with heart and lung action.
Ocean Care Solutions Man o War kit is designed to provide pain relief through its use of acetic acid and heat combination. CEO Kevin Freeman explains, “The use of acetic acid on the Man o War injury is not without controversy and differing opinions. We have seen very good results but acknowledge applying acetic acid can intensify the stinging pain in some cases. But we believe this to be compared to pouring alcohol on an open wound. It stings but, in the end, the results are effective first aid. I suppose the difference is in individual pain tolerance but we believe the application of heat and acetic acid delivers the best results.”
Copyright © 2012 by Open Water Source
Southern California native, born 1962, is the creator of the WOWSA Awards, Oceans Seven, Openwaterpedia, Citrus Corps, World Open Water Swimming Association, Daily News of Open Water Swimming, Global Open Water Swimming Conference. He is Chief Executive Officer of KAATSU Global and KAATSU Research Institute. Inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Swimmer, Class of 2001) and Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Contributor - Media, Class of 2019), recipient of the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Poseidon Award (2016), International Swimming Hall of Fame's Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award (2010), USA Swimming's Glen S. Hummer Award (2007, 2010) and Harvard University's John B. Imrie Award (1984). Served on the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and as Technical Delegate with the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and 9-time USA Swimming coaching staff.
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