Friend loses small toe

[DSQ]

A friend went kiting on Saturday (15 Oct 05) where he encountered a bluebottle. In his attempt to remove the bluebottle from his arm he dropped the kite. The lines got wrapped around his leg and he managed to free himself except for his small toe. A wave took the kite and with the line being wrapped around his small toe and the force of the wave the line cut his toe clean off. He is now recovering at home with his pride severely dented.

[Toby]

sorry to hear this. But it could have been worse, he should have this in mind.

What is a bluebottle?

Toby

[DSQ]

Here is a link that describes the Bluebottle or also known as Portuguese Man-of-War.

http://www.amonline.net.au/factsheets/bluebottle.htm

[El_Gran_Extractor]

sorry to hear this. But it could have been worse, he should have this in mind.

What is a bluebottle?

Toby

Asking myself the same question , and were does it stick onto ?

[Toby]

ok, so kind of jellyfish, but I think pretty nasty once in contact with your skin, isn't it?

[MrBonk]

Asking myself the same question , and were does it stick onto ?

Wherever it wants to! They have barbed tentacles, which makes them very efficient at attaching themselves to skin

They're rather unpleasant if you get stung, particularly if it's anywhere near a lymph node. I got one up inside my boardies earlier this year when I was kiting at Eurimbula and it stung me high on the thigh. When the toxin reached the lymph nodes in my groin.....oh man.....talk about uncomfortable

[DSQ]

Basically the Bluebottle just drifts with the wind and if you are in the water and it drifts into you the tentacles will stick to you and sting like hell. During summer we have a lot off bluebottles here (Durban - South Africa) if the north-east winds have been blowing for a few days.

[MrBonk]

Basically the Bluebottle just drifts with the wind and if you are in the water and it drifts into you the tentacles will stick to you and sting like hell. During summer we have a lot off bluebottles here (Durban - South Africa) if the north-east winds have been blowing for a few days.

Same with us. If the northerlies have been blowing for a while, loads of them can get blown in close to the shore. I've seen them like carpet on the beach here sometimes.

Bummer for your friend about his toe! Did it actually take the entire toe, bone and all? Nasty

[DSQ]

Yes it took the whole toe bone and all. Imagine the line was still wrapped around his leg. If you cut through the main artery in the leg you will bleed to death.

[daft]

Very interesting ideas on treatment, such as not relying on vinegar or even helpful lifeguards, but using gloves or even no treatment at all:

http://www.aloha.com/~lifeguards/alstin ... portuguese