Post by pigeonpie on Oct 9, 2009 21:23:47 GMT
Weever Fish
This year there have been fewer jellyfish in Menorca and life guards have had to deal more with stings from the Greater Weever Fish (Trachinus Draco) The fish live in the sand near the shore and are inoffensive unless they feel threatened, when they raise their spines which are impregnated with poison and cause intense pain to unfortunate bathers who tread on them.
Lifeguards apply hot water gradually in order not to scald the patient! This dissolves the toxins in the skin, and lessens the pain, enabling the person to walk again. Some bathers use shoes int he water as a precaution, but lifeguards say this is unnecessary as the percentage of people treading on the fish is very small.
This year there have been fewer jellyfish in Menorca and life guards have had to deal more with stings from the Greater Weever Fish (Trachinus Draco) The fish live in the sand near the shore and are inoffensive unless they feel threatened, when they raise their spines which are impregnated with poison and cause intense pain to unfortunate bathers who tread on them.
Lifeguards apply hot water gradually in order not to scald the patient! This dissolves the toxins in the skin, and lessens the pain, enabling the person to walk again. Some bathers use shoes int he water as a precaution, but lifeguards say this is unnecessary as the percentage of people treading on the fish is very small.
