Injury, illness, and getting help

    Marine stings and fish hooks

    Weever fish, jellyfish, and a hook in a finger are ordinary fishing and bathing injuries. Do not copy myths.

    For a jellyfish or similar sea-creature sting, rinse with seawater, not fresh water. Lift off spines or tentacles with tweezers or the edge of a card, not with bare fingers. Soak the area in water that is as hot as the person can stand for at least 30 minutes. Hot flannels are an alternative if you cannot soak it.

    Source: NHS, Jellyfish and other sea creature stings

    Do not urinate on a sting. Do not use ice. Do not close or cover the wound. Get emergency help for difficulty breathing, chest pain, a seizure, severe swelling, severe bleeding, vomiting, or feeling faint or unconscious.

    Source: NHS, Jellyfish and other sea creature stings

    A fish hook left in the skin is an embedded object. Do not press on it and do not pull a barbed hook back out. Press either side, pad around it so the hook cannot be driven deeper, and get medical advice. On a boat that advice is the telemedical doctor if you cannot reach a clinic.

    Source: NHS inform, First aid

    The NHS mentions ordinary painkillers for sting pain. This course does not give a dose. Ask the telemedical doctor before you give a medicine offshore.

    Source: NHS, Jellyfish and other sea creature stings

    Get certified

    A certificate used for commercial work or offshore racing comes from hands-on training with a recognised provider, for example an RYA First Aid course or STCW Elementary First Aid. This online course does not award that certificate, and it does not name or recommend a training centre.

    Check your understanding

    You can answer without an account. Sign in if you want the answers kept.

    1. 1. A jellyfish sting on the ankle. What rinse and what soak does the NHS describe?

    2. 2. After a weever or jellyfish sting, which symptom means you need emergency help?

    3. 3. A barbed fish hook is through the skin of a finger. What is the safe first aid step in this course?

    4. 4. Where should a medicine dose for sting pain come from while you are offshore?

    Sign in to save your quiz progress

    Amidships is an independent study tool and a trading name of The Maritime Consultancy Ltd (Company No. 13436865), registered in England and Wales. Registered office: 172 Easterly Road, Leeds, LS8 3AD, United Kingdom. ICO registration ZB348841. Content is based on publicly available syllabuses and the STCW Convention. Always verify with current official publications before examination. Amidships does not issue certificates or qualifications, including STCW certificates, which are issued only by approved training centres.