Overview

The message is not to get stung.

You have virtually no chance of surviving a direct sting from a box jellyfish, unless treated immediately. The pain is so excruciating and overwhelming that you would most likely go into shock and drown before reaching the shore.

However a sting is 100 per cent preventable if protective clothing is worn.

Surf Life Saving recommends a full body Lycra body suit but any type of barrier between the skin and jellyfish tentacles is recommended: even pyjamas are sufficient.

Dr. Lisa-ann Gershwin, the national marine stinger adviser with Surf Life Saving Australia said box jellyfish were prevalent from November to May in waters from Gladstone in Queensland, across the Top End and down to Exmouth in Western Australia.

She said about 70 people had died from box jellyfish stings in Australia since records were first kept in 1884.

But research published in the latest Medical Journal of Australia found most box jellyfish stings were not life-threatening.

"We have a lot to learn about what causes a fatal sting and what doesn't," Dr Gershwin said.

First Aid

Never use methylated spirit or alcohol.

Domestic vinegars should be poured liberally over the tentacles to inactivate stinging cells as soon as possible. The tentacles may then be removed. Artificial respiration and cardiac massage may be required.

Where anti-venin is unavailable, pressure-immobilisation may be used on limbs after inactivation of stinging cells, while the patient is being transported to the nearest medical centre.

Habitat

The box jellyfish seem to move towards the shore in calm waters when tide is rising and gather near the mouths of rivers, estuaries and creeks following the rain.

Box jellyfish feed on small fish and crustaceans.

Description

Box jellyfish are pale blue and transparent and bell or cubed shaped with four distinct sides, hence box jellyfish.

Measuring up to 20 cm along each side of the cube or bell, the Box Jellyfish has up to as many as 15 tentacles on each corner which can be 3 metres in length with up to 5,000 nematocysts (stinging cells).

The box jellyfish shoots itself along up to speeds of 4 knots in a jet-like motion.

It is transparent in the water, and therefore difficult to see.

In an emergency, telephone 000