Tropical resorts beckon with gentle waves of the sea and smooth weather throughout the season. Beach recreation takes a leading position. But it also has its pitfalls. They are dangerous inhabitants of the depths, jellyfish in Goa and other resort islands. These delicate and beautiful creatures have no intimidating teeth; they are successfully replaced by stinging cells that cause severe painful burns. When they congregate near the coast, swimming becomes unsafe.
Jellyfish season in Goa
It is not necessary to choose a certain time in order to meet with dangerous individuals. They appear after storms, following strong currents or when plankton is abundant.
Off the coast of the island are most common:
- sea wasps;
- cornerotes;
- Aurelia;
- Dactylometers;
- crosses.
Sometimes the surf throws out the deep-water species. All these species of jellyfish are found in Goa, the degree of danger is determined by the severity of the burn and the number of individuals. It is impossible to determine exactly which beach in Goa has more of them. You have to consider the weather and the season.
The summer months are considered the most difficult in this regard. In addition to the aurelias and cornerotes, a variety of species regularly swim up to the shore. The water is colored with brown, purple, pink and yellow disc-shaped spots. In the off-season their number gradually decreases. Beginning in November, jellyfish in Goa are not very dangerous.
The largest accumulations are observed near the mouths of rivers. From March to November you have to be careful and sometimes refuse to swim at the beaches:
At the junction of northern and southern Goa near the Mormugao and Mandovi rivers, unpleasant encounters are also likely.
The danger of jellyfish to humans
When you look at the translucent domes floating in the water, it is hard to believe that they can do harm. But practice says otherwise. They have venom in their special goblet cells. The flagellum that ejects it responds to touch. This mechanism is given by nature for protection from enemies and obtaining food. The person is not a threat, but the sting cells are still triggered because it is a reflex.
The burn is quite painful, the venom of some species requires neutralization. Unpleasant complications can occur if medical care is not taken promptly.
Toxins cause:
- severe pain sensation;
- skin redness;
- edema;
- inflammation with fever in the affected area;
- poisoning with failure of internal organs;
- sudden pressure fluctuations;
- paralysis;
In case of particular susceptibility to the poison, anaphylactic shock accompanied by suffocation is possible. A condition is considered severe if more than 30% of the skin is affected.
First aid after an encounter with a jellyfish
The general condition and the possibility of preventing complications depend on how quickly pre-hospital care is provided and the victim is taken to a medical facility. Those who are interested in whether there are jellyfish in Goa, you should not only remember that they are found there in large numbers, but also be sure to bring a first aid kit for burns. It includes a bottle of one percent vinegar, lemon juice, alcohol, absorbent cotton, and an antihistamine.
The affected areas are washed with any of the liquids listed. It is preferable to use alcohol.
Do not pour fresh water or rub the affected areas. This will accelerate the spread of toxins and expand the area of damage.
Algorithm of action
The first thing to do is to pull the victim out of the water and carefully and accurately remove the remains of stinging cells from the surface of the skin. To do this, use a plastic wand, card, the back of a knife. The skin is generously moistened with vinegar or alcohol and not wiped off. The victim is given any antihistamine, such as Suprastin, Tavegil, Phenystil, Lominal, Claritin. Their purpose is to relieve swelling, stop the spread of the toxin, and reduce the body’s susceptibility.
If the burn is minor, the measures taken will be enough. In case of fever, severe redness, vomiting, it is necessary to take the victim to the hospital.
Precautions
To rest successful, and jellyfish caused only aesthetic admiration, it is worth observing the elementary rules. After a storm or a single big wave, you have to wait until the water calms down and becomes clear. Not only the jellyfish itself can leave burns, but also fragments of its tentacles.
It is not recommended to swim after sunset. This is very romantic, but with the onset of darkness there are dangerous inhabitants of the water element and it is better to show common sense, leaving the sea at this time to them.
On the first day of vacation, before heading to the beach, many stock up on a first aid kit, the address of the nearest clinic or phone number of a private doctor.
No one is immune from meeting with jellyfish, but it is better to reduce the risk to a minimum.
