Comments on: Island caretaker with dream job stung by jellyfish http://boingboing.net/2009/12/31/island-caretaker-wit.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Wed, 19 Jun 2013 03:28:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: triplejay http://boingboing.net/2009/12/31/island-caretaker-wit.html#comment-676358 triplejay Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-676358 The musical comedy duo Scared Weird Little Guys wrote a song promoting Aussie tourism entitled 'Come to Australia (you might accidentally get killed)'. It seems quite appropriate at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNEeq5qGh8I The musical comedy duo Scared Weird Little Guys wrote a song promoting Aussie tourism entitled ‘Come to Australia (you might accidentally get killed)’. It seems quite appropriate at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNEeq5qGh8I

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/12/31/island-caretaker-wit.html#comment-676379 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-676379 http://www.theage.com.au/national/how-australias-killer-critters-scored-in-2009-20091231-lksp.html There's a lot of talk about Australia's dangerous species but the reality is that they cause few deaths. The link above explains in detail. http://www.theage.com.au/national/how-australias-killer-critters-scored-in-2009-20091231-lksp.html

There’s a lot of talk about Australia’s dangerous species but the reality is that they cause few deaths. The link above explains in detail.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/12/31/island-caretaker-wit.html#comment-676401 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-676401 At least I don't have to wear a thick neoprene body suit to my job. Well, at least not unless I want to on Casual Fridays. At least I don’t have to wear a thick neoprene body suit to my job.

Well, at least not unless I want to on Casual Fridays.

]]> By: djn http://boingboing.net/2009/12/31/island-caretaker-wit.html#comment-676660 djn Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-676660 Mind you, I think that article took a bit light on non-fatal encounters. Sharks chewing on you? Irukandji stings? None of those are especially fun even if you survive. Mind you, I think that article took a bit light on non-fatal encounters. Sharks chewing on you? Irukandji stings? None of those are especially fun even if you survive.

]]> By: David Pescovitz http://boingboing.net/2009/12/31/island-caretaker-wit.html#comment-676919 David Pescovitz Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-676919 Corrected "bitten" to "stung" in headline, thanks. Corrected “bitten” to “stung” in headline, thanks.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/12/31/island-caretaker-wit.html#comment-676426 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-676426 You forgot the best symptom of an Irukandji sting - <a href="http://qjmed.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/extract/99/6/425">a feeling of impeding doom</a>. Seriously. You forgot the best symptom of an Irukandji sting – a feeling of impeding doom.

Seriously.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/12/31/island-caretaker-wit.html#comment-676178 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-676178 Well that's not exactly a great headline for the people who wanted to inspire tourism to the island... Well that’s not exactly a great headline for the people who wanted to inspire tourism to the island…

]]> By: apoxia http://boingboing.net/2009/12/31/island-caretaker-wit.html#comment-676185 apoxia Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-676185 My partner was stung (not bitten!) by a jellyfish in Fiji early last year - just a garden variety, not deadly. We found out the staff at the place we were staying had no idea how to treat the sting. They suggested we purchase some coconut oil, which they happened to be selling. Thankfully there was a surfer on hand who told us to head to the kitchen and ask for some vinegar. The tingly pain subsided over the next hour or so. Those jellyfish can be pretty terrifying. My partner was stung (not bitten!) by a jellyfish in Fiji early last year – just a garden variety, not deadly. We found out the staff at the place we were staying had no idea how to treat the sting. They suggested we purchase some coconut oil, which they happened to be selling. Thankfully there was a surfer on hand who told us to head to the kitchen and ask for some vinegar. The tingly pain subsided over the next hour or so. Those jellyfish can be pretty terrifying.

]]> By: Katja http://boingboing.net/2009/12/31/island-caretaker-wit.html#comment-677227 Katja Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-677227 @ #30 - Don't forget the hoop snakes! @ #30 – Don’t forget the hoop snakes!

]]> By: jeligula http://boingboing.net/2009/12/31/island-caretaker-wit.html#comment-676206 jeligula Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-676206 Protein contact needs to be established for the neuro-toxin to transfer. This is achieved by a sting, not a bite. Curiously enough, anything at all will block the protein contact, so the sheerest of pantie-hose over the arms would suffice for complete protection. Protein contact needs to be established for the neuro-toxin to transfer. This is achieved by a sting, not a bite. Curiously enough, anything at all will block the protein contact, so the sheerest of pantie-hose over the arms would suffice for complete protection.

]]> By: jeligula http://boingboing.net/2009/12/31/island-caretaker-wit.html#comment-676216 jeligula Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-676216 Just as an aside, you can use explosive bottle rockets to clear the water for a time. Just as an aside, you can use explosive bottle rockets to clear the water for a time.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2009/12/31/island-caretaker-wit.html#comment-676231 Antinous / Moderator Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-676231 What kind of loser goes swimming without his chainmail on? What kind of loser goes swimming without his chainmail on?

]]> By: Daemon http://boingboing.net/2009/12/31/island-caretaker-wit.html#comment-676240 Daemon Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-676240 And now you know WHY there's a $100k+ salary. Half of Australia's lifeforms are poisonous or otherwise want you dead. Also: Jellyfish don't have mouths and thus can't bite anything. As the others have pointed out, the word is sting. The word is right there in the source article. Seriously. And now you know WHY there’s a $100k+ salary. Half of Australia’s lifeforms are poisonous or otherwise want you dead.

Also: Jellyfish don’t have mouths and thus can’t bite anything. As the others have pointed out, the word is sting. The word is right there in the source article. Seriously.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/12/31/island-caretaker-wit.html#comment-677012 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-677012 Hahaha, lots of noise about a potential hazard. You could get hit by a bus walking across the road from your house. Don't not go to a country just in case you might encounter a dangerous creature. Lots of people live there and have never been stung/bitten/chomped on. You'll be fine. Hahaha, lots of noise about a potential hazard. You could get hit by a bus walking across the road from your house. Don’t not go to a country just in case you might encounter a dangerous creature. Lots of people live there and have never been stung/bitten/chomped on. You’ll be fine.

]]> By: lilacsigil http://boingboing.net/2009/12/31/island-caretaker-wit.html#comment-676504 lilacsigil Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-676504 He was told to wear a sting suit, didn't bother and got stung. Moron. (Apparently it was an irukandji, but he was barely brushed by it, hence the minor illness rather than death.) He was told to wear a sting suit, didn’t bother and got stung. Moron.

(Apparently it was an irukandji, but he was barely brushed by it, hence the minor illness rather than death.)

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/12/31/island-caretaker-wit.html#comment-676249 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-676249 I've heard you should pee on a jellyfish sting. Just ask Dr. Stool. I’ve heard you should pee on a jellyfish sting. Just ask Dr. Stool.

]]> By: PurpleWyrm http://boingboing.net/2009/12/31/island-caretaker-wit.html#comment-677020 PurpleWyrm Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-677020 We Australians like to make a big deal of our dangerous animals because it makes us seem insanely tough, but seriously it's no more dangerous here than anywhere else in the world. I've lived here my entire life (admittedly in the city, but I've tramped around in the bush a lot) and the most dangerous thing I've ever run into is a rather small snake which made a very fast exit on my appearance. A bit of common sense (like not poking things with sticks, not sticking your hands into dark crevices and taking the advice of knowledgeable locals) is all you need to remain perfectly safe. Do watch out for the drop bears though. We Australians like to make a big deal of our dangerous animals because it makes us seem insanely tough, but seriously it’s no more dangerous here than anywhere else in the world. I’ve lived here my entire life (admittedly in the city, but I’ve tramped around in the bush a lot) and the most dangerous thing I’ve ever run into is a rather small snake which made a very fast exit on my appearance. A bit of common sense (like not poking things with sticks, not sticking your hands into dark crevices and taking the advice of knowledgeable locals) is all you need to remain perfectly safe.

Do watch out for the drop bears though.

]]> By: djn http://boingboing.net/2009/12/31/island-caretaker-wit.html#comment-677027 djn Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-677027 Thing is, I end up comparing it to where I live. We have no dangerous spiders, no truly[1] dangerous snakes, no dangerous jellyfish, no dangerous octopi, and the largest sharks here are about as dangerous as house cats. (On the flip side, quite a lot of people die from moose collisions or hypothermia.) With that as the comparison, Australia sounds like a veritable death trap, no matter the actual risk. ;) [1] We've got adders, and they have been known to kill people. On the other hand, they're timid sensible snakes that tend to avoid people, and the deaths have been in small children or severely weakened people. Thing is, I end up comparing it to where I live.
We have no dangerous spiders, no truly[1] dangerous snakes, no dangerous jellyfish, no dangerous octopi, and the largest sharks here are about as dangerous as house cats. (On the flip side, quite a lot of people die from moose collisions or hypothermia.)

With that as the comparison, Australia sounds like a veritable death trap, no matter the actual risk. ;)

[1] We’ve got adders, and they have been known to kill people. On the other hand, they’re timid sensible snakes that tend to avoid people, and the deaths have been in small children or severely weakened people.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/12/31/island-caretaker-wit.html#comment-676276 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-676276 Bill Bryson has an excellent book on Australia, and frequently revisits the idea that nearly everything there can kill you. Not only are most things venomous to begin with, but so extravagantly poisonous to kill someone a dozen times over. Bill Bryson has an excellent book on Australia, and frequently revisits the idea that nearly everything there can kill you. Not only are most things venomous to begin with, but so extravagantly poisonous to kill someone a dozen times over.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/12/31/island-caretaker-wit.html#comment-676537 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-676537 "Generally speaking, I'm not one of those jellyfish that gets involved in anything too confrontational, but when you see Ben Southall's insufferable grin floating towards you, your instincts just kick in." http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/international/i%27m-no-hero%2c-says-tiny-jellyfish-200912302341/ “Generally speaking, I’m not one of those jellyfish that gets involved in anything too confrontational, but when you see Ben Southall’s insufferable grin floating towards you, your instincts just kick in.”

http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/international/i%27m-no-hero%2c-says-tiny-jellyfish-200912302341/

]]> By: amuderick http://boingboing.net/2009/12/31/island-caretaker-wit.html#comment-676794 amuderick Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-676794 either they are lying about him 'sleeping it off' or it wasn't an Irukandji. This story doesn't add up. After being bitten by Irukandji, people beg for death to end the pain...they don't sleep it off. Also, it is known that Irukandji toxinis particularly resistant to opiate pain medication and very high doses are needed. either they are lying about him ‘sleeping it off’ or it wasn’t an Irukandji. This story doesn’t add up.

After being bitten by Irukandji, people beg for death to end the pain…they don’t sleep it off. Also, it is known that Irukandji toxinis particularly resistant to opiate pain medication and very high doses are needed.

]]> By: Jerril http://boingboing.net/2009/12/31/island-caretaker-wit.html#comment-676284 Jerril Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-676284 I was just signing in to point out the utter lack of mouthparts... or really anything hard at all on a jellyfish. Thats why they resort to biochemical warfare - they don't HAVE anything else. Re: Anon - peeing on the sting isn't actually a bad idea, lacking any better weak acids on hand to help. I'd try fruit juice over pee, because orange juice and apple juice are IIRC more acidic, but in a pinch wee would be better than coconut oil... I was just signing in to point out the utter lack of mouthparts… or really anything hard at all on a jellyfish. Thats why they resort to biochemical warfare – they don’t HAVE anything else.

Re: Anon – peeing on the sting isn’t actually a bad idea, lacking any better weak acids on hand to help. I’d try fruit juice over pee, because orange juice and apple juice are IIRC more acidic, but in a pinch wee would be better than coconut oil…

]]> By: Jerril http://boingboing.net/2009/12/31/island-caretaker-wit.html#comment-676286 Jerril Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-676286 The feebleness of the stingers goes back to the "utter lack of hard parts" thing. The only "stingers" they have are little cillia - a stinging nettle has sturdier stinging hairs. The feebleness of the stingers goes back to the “utter lack of hard parts” thing. The only “stingers” they have are little cillia – a stinging nettle has sturdier stinging hairs.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/12/31/island-caretaker-wit.html#comment-676543 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-676543 Didn't Steve Irwin die from some chance just-happened-to-be-fatal-even-though-they-almost-never-are encounter with a jellyfish or some kind of underwater porcupine-like thing? Sometimes the smallest things are what kills you, especially when you've taken precautions about the big threats. Life: it's a crap shoot. Didn’t Steve Irwin die from some chance just-happened-to-be-fatal-even-though-they-almost-never-are encounter with a jellyfish or some kind of underwater porcupine-like thing?

Sometimes the smallest things are what kills you, especially when you’ve taken precautions about the big threats. Life: it’s a crap shoot.

]]> By: Perla http://boingboing.net/2009/12/31/island-caretaker-wit.html#comment-676800 Perla Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-676800 Steve Irwin died from a stingray barb through the heart. Steve Irwin died from a stingray barb through the heart.

]]> By: Perla http://boingboing.net/2009/12/31/island-caretaker-wit.html#comment-676801 Perla Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-676801 Maybe he didn't get the full on sting and was merely brushed by the jellyfish. Maybe he didn’t get the full on sting and was merely brushed by the jellyfish.

]]> By: jjnashville http://boingboing.net/2009/12/31/island-caretaker-wit.html#comment-676290 jjnashville Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-676290 Kudos to the tourism folk for not trying to cover it up. Perhaps they can switch their marketing based on an idea from here... http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2009/12/30/ Kudos to the tourism folk for not trying to cover it up.

Perhaps they can switch their marketing based on an idea from here… http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2009/12/30/

]]> By: PurpleWyrm http://boingboing.net/2009/12/31/island-caretaker-wit.html#comment-677320 PurpleWyrm Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-677320 I suppose that's true. It's a matter of distinguishing potential risk from actual risk. The actual risk of getting killed by a shark, snake, jellyfish, spider or cassowary in Australia is pretty low, but the potential is still there. (Just to undermine my point entirely, the Australian death adder is one of the few snakes in the world that'll just lie there and wait to be stepped on. You could dance a jig around the thing and it won't move but the second you step on it it'll inject enough venom to turn your insides to jelly.) I suppose that’s true. It’s a matter of distinguishing potential risk from actual risk. The actual risk of getting killed by a shark, snake, jellyfish, spider or cassowary in Australia is pretty low, but the potential is still there.

(Just to undermine my point entirely, the Australian death adder is one of the few snakes in the world that’ll just lie there and wait to be stepped on. You could dance a jig around the thing and it won’t move but the second you step on it it’ll inject enough venom to turn your insides to jelly.)

]]> By: Boba Fett Diop http://boingboing.net/2009/12/31/island-caretaker-wit.html#comment-676306 Boba Fett Diop Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-676306 I remember one time in Texas, my brother found a scorpion on the back porch of the lodge he was staying in. I was trying to remember what to do for a scorpion sting, just in case, and thought "oh right, you just pee on it." Then I remembered that urine was the folk remedy for jellyfish, not scorpions. I still get a little chuckle from the mental image of my brother having potentially been both stung by a scorpion and then peed on. I remember one time in Texas, my brother found a scorpion on the back porch of the lodge he was staying in. I was trying to remember what to do for a scorpion sting, just in case, and thought “oh right, you just pee on it.” Then I remembered that urine was the folk remedy for jellyfish, not scorpions. I still get a little chuckle from the mental image of my brother having potentially been both stung by a scorpion and then peed on.

]]> By: Phrosty http://boingboing.net/2009/12/31/island-caretaker-wit.html#comment-676574 Phrosty Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-676574 I was unaware that jellyfish 'bite'. Thank you BoingBoing. I was unaware that jellyfish ‘bite’. Thank you BoingBoing.

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