Beware of the Sting: Surfside Urges Vigilance Against Jellyfish and Man-o-War

As the waves roll onto the shores of Surfside, residents and beachgoers are urged to keep a watchful eye for potential hazards lurking beneath the surface: jellyfish and Portuguese Man-o-War.

Beachside, it’s not unusual to see an object that looks like a harmless blue plastic bag. The curious beachcomber who picks it up or pops it, could be in for a painful shock. That tinted pink, blue, or purple gas-filled float, similar to a small oblong balloon, is a Portuguese Man-of-War, a siphonophore, an animal made up of a colony of organisms working together.

The Portuguese Man-of-War comprises four separate polyps. It gets its name from the uppermost polyp, a gas-filled bladder, or pneumatophore, which sits above the water and somewhat resembles an old warship at full sail. Portuguese Man-of-Wars are also known as bluebottles for the purple-blue color of their pneumatophores. The tentacles are the Portuguese Man-of-War's second organism. These long, thin tendrils can extend 165 feet in length below the surface, although 30 feet is more the average. They are covered in venom-filled nematocysts used to paralyze and kill fish and other small creatures. For humans, a Portuguese Man-of-War sting is excruciatingly painful, but rarely deadly. Even dead Portuguese Man-of-Wars washed up on shore can deliver a sting. Muscles in the tentacles draw prey up to a polyp containing the gastrozooids or digestive organisms. A fourth polyp contains the reproductive organisms. (Source: National Geographic)

In Surfside waters, according to Safe Sea, several jellyfish species pose potential hazards to swimmers and beachgoers. The Moon Jellyfish, delivers a relatively mild sting that may cause discomfort. The Cannonball Jellyfish,  typically induces mild stings. The Sea Nettles, characterized by their painful sting, are also frequently encountered in Surfside and Miami-Dade waters.

The Town of Surfside strongly encourages residents and beachgoers to keep a safe distance from these sea creatures, which can cause extremely painful stings. If you are swimming, remember to keep in mind that they are close, as Man-o-war's tentacles can be long and thin, sticky and very difficult to see.

Season:

They are predominately present during the months of November through April. Strong easterly winds carry them to shore and the shoreline.

Prevention:

Always look up and around while surfacing. Pay special attention during the last 15 to 20 feet of your ascent, since this is the area where you are most likely to encounter it and their submerged tentacles. Wear full-body exposure suits regardless of water temperature.

If you see the creature on the beach, do not touch it.

Most people suffer immediate pain that lasts up to 20 minutes. In more severe cases, the sting can trigger chest pain and difficulty breathing.

Treatment:

After a sting, the tentacles leave long, stringy red welts on the skin. There is local pain, burning, swelling, and redness. The welts last from minutes to hours. A rash may come and go for up to 6 weeks.

Anyone who suffers a Portuguese Man-of-War sting should seek the assistance of a lifeguard, who will treat the victim with plain distilled vinegar. If a lifeguard is unavailable, any tentacles visible on the skin of the victim should be carefully pulled off immediately using a towel, stick, or anything handy, taking care not to touch them to avoid a secondary sting. Flush the affected area with salt water to remove any adhering tentacles. Do not rub the affected area. Hot packs or hot showers also give relief. For persistent itching or skin rash, see a local pharmacist for hydrocortisone ointment or Benadryl. If you have an allergic reaction, call 911 immediately.

Caution: Do not use ammonia, urine, rubbing alcohol, freshwater, or ice. They all can trigger the release of more venom.

Purple Flag:

When potentially dangerous ocean animals have been spotted, you'll see a purple flag. These flags fly either on their own or with other colored flags. If you see a purple flag, but the water is not closed to swimming, use extreme caution and keep a close watch for dangerous animals.

By adhering to these precautions and promptly addressing any encounters with Portuguese Men-of-War and jellyfish, beach enthusiasts can enjoy coastal adventures with confidence. Remember, awareness and preparedness are the best defenses against nature's surprises.

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