Bites & Stings
Jellyfish and Marine Stings
For tropical jellyfish (north of Bundaberg), flood the sting with vinegar for 30 seconds, then call 000. For bluebottle and other temperate stings, remove tentacles and immerse in hot water.
For tropical jellyfish (north of Bundaberg), flood the sting with vinegar for 30 seconds, then call 000. For bluebottle and other temperate stings, remove tentacles and immerse in hot water.
Tropical jellyfish (box jellyfish, Irukandji)
Anywhere north of Bundaberg, treat any jellyfish sting as potentially life-threatening.
- Call 000.
- Pour vinegar liberally over the sting for at least 30 seconds.
- If no vinegar, pick off tentacles (they will not sting through gloved fingers; bare fingertips are usually OK briefly).
- Be ready to start CPR — box jellyfish stings can cause cardiac arrest.
Bluebottle and other non-tropical jellyfish
- Wash the area with seawater (not fresh water) to remove tentacles.
- Do not use vinegar.
- Immerse the area in hot water (no hotter than the rescuer can tolerate) for 20 minutes. A hot shower works.
- If hot water is not available, use a cold pack for pain.
Stingray, stonefish, cone shell
Immerse the limb in hot water for up to 90 minutes. Call 000 — these stings can be fatal.
Blue-ringed octopus
Apply pressure immobilisation (as for snake bite) and call 000. Be ready for CPR — the venom paralyses breathing muscles.
Questions & answers
Should I use vinegar or hot water?
Tropical Australia (box jellyfish, irukandji) — flood with vinegar for 30 seconds. Temperate Australia (bluebottle) — rinse with seawater, remove tentacles, then immerse in hot water (45 °C) for 20 minutes.
Does urine work on a sting?
No — urine can make stinging cells fire and worsen the pain. Use vinegar or hot water as above.
When is a jellyfish sting an emergency?
Any sting in tropical waters (box jellyfish, irukandji), difficulty breathing, chest or back pain, severe sweating, or collapse — Call 000.
Related topics
Snake Bite — Pressure Immobilisation
For any suspected snake bite in Australia, call 000 and apply a pressure immobilisation bandage from the bite site up the entire limb, then splint and keep the patient completely still.
Spider Bites
Funnel-web and mouse spider bites are treated with pressure immobilisation like a snake bite. Redback bites are treated with an ice pack — do not bandage. Seek medical aid for any concerning symptoms.
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