Seashore Dangers

Unless very still, water higher than your thighs will be too murky to see through. You'll risk stepping on something unpleasant and waves could sweep you on to rocks or coral. Wear shoes when foraging in the water- you need soles if you are improvising foot coverings. Cloth wrapping is NOT enough to protect from spines.

Jellyfish are often swept inshore after a storm. Some, especially in the tropics, sting severely, The sea wasps, or box jellies, of northern Australian beaches, are the most dangerous. The bell shaped body of the largest reaches only 25cm (10in) but it tentacles can reach 9m (30ft). Almost transparent, and difficult to see, each tentacle is armed with millions of stinging cells. Although their venom is one of the most deadly known and high concentrations cause skin lesions and death, usually only a very high dose is fatal to humans. Some jellyfish are not venomous but beware- size is not an indication of potency!

If stung do NOT pull the tentacles off or wipe away the slime with your hand- you will only get stung more. Use seaweed, cloth etc. to wipe the sting with sand.

Portuguese-man-of-war, looks like a jellyfish but is actually a colony of polyps. It too, can have tentacles 9m (30ft) long but, though its stings may cause irritation for several days, they are rarely fatal. Treat as for jellyfish.

Weaverfish lie buried in the sand off the shores of Europe, West Africa and the Mediterranean. Their spines are venomous. Apply very hot water to soothe spine wounds.

Stingrays occur inshore everywhere, but especially in warm to temperate zones. Superbly camouflaged, some like rocky and pebbly places, they don't only hide in sand. Play it safe - prod the bottom with a stick as you go. Stingray wounds can be soothed with very hot water.

Seashore survival dangers

Sharks Although most sharks feed mainly in deep waters, some species frequent shallow waters and swim up rivers and any might come onshore looking for an easy meal. Most shark attacks on humans occur in very shallow water. Be watchful!

 

Dangers

Moray eels may be found in shallow water. They have a savage bite and guard their holes tenaciously. Keep clear of any you see and do NOT put your hands into crevices!

Giant clams on tropical reefs can be big enough to trap a limb if they snap shut on it.

Fish with venomous spines often live in very shallow waters. Most common, and most dangerous, in the tropics, a few occur in temperate waters. Bottom- dwelling kinds are almost impossible to detect and are often superbly camouflaged. Zebra fish are easier to see, but equally dangerous to contact. Use a stick to stir up the sand and rocks in front of you.

Sea snakes often occur in some numbers close in shore in the Tropical Pacific and the Indian oceans. They are inoffensive and bites are rare- but their venom is most toxic of all snake venom. Keep clear of snakes in the water. Found on shore, pin them with a forked stick- they make a good meal.

Many corals are sharp and can easily cut you. Some, such as the fire corals, sting on contact. Always approach a reef with caution Exploit other sites for food first. Both the reef and its inhabitants- which may include cone shells- can present dangers.

 

Sharks Although most sharks feed mainly in deep waters, some species frequent shallow waters and swim up rivers and any might come onshore looking for an easy meal. Most shark attacks on humans occur in very shallow water. Be watchful!

Lagoons Reefs are often formed around tropical islands or out from the shore, making a breakwater which leaves still waters in a lagoon. Fish in the lagoon are often of the poisonous varieties. Barracuda and Red snapper which are edible in the open sea, should be avoided if caught in lagoons - their eating habits cause them to become toxic.