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Fire Coral Sting
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Fire Corals resemble harmless seaweed and when a diver's bare skin brushes against them the Corals' tiny tentacles penetrate and deliver venom resulting in a stinging pain.

Symptoms

Steps
1   Remove any remaining tentacles with a gloved hand or a hand wrapped in a towel. You may also use tweezers to remove the stinging cells.
2   Wash the area with copious amounts of sea water to remove and deactivate the stinging cells.
3   Pour vinegar on the wound to prevent the release of additional venom.
4   Immobilize the body part to slow the spread of the venom. Apply a bandage directly over the wound and an additional bandage above and below the wound ensuring full coverage of skin.
5   If there is swelling at the site, place a cold compress or an ice pack on the area for 15 minutes on 15 minutes off.
6   If the person has shortness of breath, weakness, chest pain, or collapses, activate EMS without delay.
Warnings
DO NOT use fresh water or tap water because fresh water can stimulate the stinging cells to release venom
DO NOT use your bare hand to remove tentacles as they can still be active
DO NOT apply creams or lotions because if the sting is not neutralized, the creams may trap the poison in the skin.
DO NOT scrub the affected area.
Tips
Despite the burning pain, fire coral stings are non-fatal, unless you develop an infected wound or have an allergic reaction to the venom.
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