The Gulf of Mexico at the northern panhandle of Florida offers those of us in the southeastern United States some absolutely great diving.  The water is warm, the shipwrecks are numerous, and the fish are plentiful.  As the water warms in the spring and heads toward the high temperatures of the summer, we also get another unwelcome visitor……jellyfish.   During the peak of the summer breading season, they are so plentiful that they are present in large numbers, known as jellyfish “blooms”.  Blooms are simply large aggregates of the jellyfish, typically  prospering in a the local area  around a plentiful food source or exceptionally warm water.

Like many organisms found in the ocean, jellyfish are unique characters.  With no bones, no brains, and very little body mass material, they are the most “nothing” creatures in the sea.  The body mass of a typical jellyfish is only about 5% biological material, with the remaining body spaces filled with water.  However, this simple little “nothing” creature sure can cause some pain.  Just one entanglement with the jellyfish’s tentacles will often leave a pretty severe rash and that nice stripped, red appearance many have seen.  There is no doubt that  the stings from jellyfish cause more than a few tears each year among Gulf coast visitors, and the pain from a serious encounter with these creatures can be quite severe.

The two most common jellyfish types found in the northern Gulf of Mexico are the moon jellyfish and the sea nettle.  The moon jellyfish is a bell-shaped, softball-looking character, with the stinging tentacles hanging below.  Almost completely milky-white in appearance, the moon jellyfish can be distinguished by the four pear-shaped darker organs seen just inside the “moon” of the jellyfish.  Divers often tangle with the moon jellyfish as they near the surface, often surfacing into them without realizing they are present.  Of course, any uncovered skin areas that contact the tentacles will result in numerous stings.    The pain associated with the sting of the moon jellyfish is not severe, but it does persist for 15-30 minutes and is uncomfortable.

Sea nettles are also bell-shaped, much like the moon jellyfish, but have a slightly darker appearance and the characteristic brown body color.  Sea nettles also tend to have slightly more tentacle mass hanging beneath, and the sting of the sea nettle is slightly more painful than that of the moon jellyfish.  Sea nettles stings often have moderate to severe pain for up to an hour, and the itching from sea nettle stings can last for several weeks.

There are a number of treatments for jellyfish and sea nettle stings, including household vinegar, weak ammonia cleaning solutions (such as Windex spray window cleaner), and frequent flushes with clean, salt water.  Flushing with fresh water is a no-no and only makes the nematocysts that remain in the skin from the initial contact continue to fire, causing additional pain and discomfort.  Treatment with various cortisone creams can also ease the discomfort of the itching that persists from stings.  In addition, there are several commercial treatments designed just for the treatment of jellyfish stings and reduction of the associated pain.

Safe Sea Jellyfish Protection Lotion.  Safe Sea is a unique lotion that actually makes you “invisible” to the jellyfish.  When protected by Safe Sea, jellyfish do not sense your presence and do not fire the stinging nematocysts that cause the pain.  Safe Sea is effective on about 95% of all users.  Safe Sea is available with or without optional sunscreen protection.

Sting Zapper Gel.  This is a single-use package of gel designed to be applied directly to  sting areas to relieve the pain and itching of jellyfish stings.  This gel contains Lidocaine HCL and provides almost immediate relief when applied  directly on the affected area.

StingMate Sting Neutralizing Gel.  StingMate is a Lidocaine-free treatment that deactivates the stinging cells, providing relief very quickly.  Liberal applications of StingMate, along with scraping of the skin to remove the remaining nematocysts, provides very good remedy for the pain.

So, as you make plans to dive the beautiful Gulf of Mexico this spring and summer, don’t forget to take a few precautions.  Look around when submerging and ascending for the presence of jellyfish.  Avoid direct contact with jellyfish and sea nettles and avoid the pain that can put a damper on your diving adventure.

Phil Ellis

Protection and Treatment  for  Jellyfish Stings at DiveSports.com

Update: January 25, 2009 10:30 AM.  I have provided a pretty neat video of moon jellyfish filmed at the Perth Aquarium.  The use of black light makes this really cool visual effect.  Enjoy.