Be aware of stingrays!!!

Hello all!
Last weekend in Ras Al Khaimah i'll remember for the rest of my life))) as i was stung by a stingray! That was the worst pain ever!!!! The good thing that i was stung in my lower leg, not my chest or stomach, as that could be fatal! So thank God!!! SO, since a lifeguards are completely helpless in this country, and im talking about 5* hotel "lifeguards'', then we must take care of our own selfs! In my case i was suffering from extreme pain in my whole leg for about 4 hours, and thats is after i spent a couple of hours in a hospital and had a few strong pain killers....
Here i would like to share with all of you some info regarding this matter, as this can happen to anyone! So from my own experience i thought, it's necessary to have the knowledge of how to avoid being sting or how to provide first aid in such a situations.

http://www.wikihow.com/Treat-a-Stingray-Sting
http://www.acep.org/content.aspx?id=34002
http://faoj.org/2008/06/01/stingray-envenomation-of-the-foot-a-case-report/

How to Avoid being Stung

Ask a lifeguard or crusty ol’ local if there are any stingrays that frequent the area. Some beaches don’t have any rays, while others are breeding grounds for these cartilaginous fishes. Lifeguards and most beach regulars should know the local environment pretty well and, if need be, can guide you to the best place to take a dip.

For areas that do have rays, look out for warmer water and smaller surf. When the water temps are pleasant and surf is flat, stingrays start to settle closer to the shore and are more prone to being stepped on. So if your beach looks like a lake and feels like a bath remember to shuffle your feet and not to stomp around clumsily in the surf. If you do the “Stingray Shuffle,” then the little sea creatures will feel the vibrations in the sand and should swim away and leave you unscathed.

Besides that luck plays a big role in being stung, so if stingrays give you the spooks make sure to bring your rabbit’s foot and lucky horseshoe with you next time you head out to the beach!
edited by Marina86 on 05/11/2012
<em>edited by Marina86 on 05/11/2012</em>