Snake oil! Jellyfish protection cream
As taken from the Wicked Diving Website….please repost!
The season has begun and diving is great! However some unscruplous marketers are trying to exploit people’s fears. Trying to sell divers, snorkelers and visitors some “magic cream” that prevents jellyfish stings – people can be put at risk of injury or death.
Avoid this cream, let any dive shop or retail outlet that supplies it know how they are endangering their clients and please avoid it at all costs!!!
If you think this is just opinion…please read the email below regarding this product. Written and signed by the world’s leaders in Jellyfish stings, envenomation and the head of DAN. I guess they might know a bit more than someone who makes and sells magic creams?
From: JOHN LIPPMANN
Sent: 03 November 2009
To:
Cc: ‘Lisa Gershwin’; ‘Andrew Jones’; ‘Peter Fenner’; ‘Dr. Kenneth D. Winkel’; somchai.bussarawit; potjaman; lthaikru
Subject: FW: Marketing of Safe Sea in Thailand
We have been following the recent renewed correspondence about the proposed marketing of Safe Sea in Thailand. As you are aware, there are a group of us, including some well-known medical and marine biological jellyfish experts, who have been closely monitoring the situation with dangerous jellyfish in Thailand and we are all very concerned about the introduction of Safe Sea at this point in time.
Let us re-state some important facts:
1. There is definitely at least one variety of potentially lethal box jellyfish found in Thai waters. This includes the Chironex species as well as other chirodropids, currently unidentified, but probably just as venomous . There is absolutely no doubt about this as we have received good photographic evidence of these jellyfish, and have extensive evidence from numerous cases over more than a 20 years of the distinctive scarring caused by the stings of these particular jellyfish.
2. There have been numerous documented deaths caused by jellyfish in Thailand over many years: we currently have an article in print with details of a number of documented deaths and “near-misses”. The death of the Swedish girl last year was certainly not an isolated case, although to date it was the one that received the broadest media attention. We also have a steadily increasing number of case reports of life-threatening stings, including those with permanent scarring as well as those producing Irukandji syndrome.
3. Substantial experience from northern Australia over many years has shown the importance of effective prevention strategies. To date these have included the wearing of protective clothing, suitable netting, appropriate signage and education. As a result, despite the presence of large numbers of dangerous jellyfish at certain times of the year, there are very few serious stings.
4. The Safe Sea may have been shown to be an effective barrier to the stings of certain species of jellyfish. However, it appears that there is absolutely no evidence that it is effective in the prevention of stings from life-threatening box-type jellyfish, especially Chironex.
5. We are further concerned that even if Safe Sea should someday be demonstrated to be “as effective” for Chironex-type box jellyfish as it claims for other species (i.e., 75% efficacy, in reducing the frequency and severity of stings), this is still unacceptably high for otherwise unprotected exposure to lethal species.
In light of the above, we consider it to be irresponsible and dangerous to promote an unproven product in an area where the consequences of using the product could prove fatal. It is likely that tourists and Thai locals would be lulled into what could well be a false sense of security by using Safe Sea instead of taking preventative measures that have proven to be effective. Severe stings or deaths occurring without added protection of these preventative measures we suggest could have ongoing consequences.
Receiving FDA approval from Thailand does not indicate that the product is effective against Chironex-type box jellyfish stings and can be misleading in this context.
For all the above reasons we implore you to refrain from marketing Safe Sea in Thailand until such time that it has been independently demonstrated to be effective against the potentially lethal species found there and it is established that this product effectively prevents envenomation when interacting with these species.
Sincerely,
John Lippmann OAM Dr. Lisa-ann Gershwin Dr Peter Fenner AM
Executive Director Director MD (London), DRCOG, FACTM, FRCGP
DIVERS ALERT NETWORK (DAN) ASIA-PACIFIC Australian Marine Stinger Australian Marine Stinger Expert and author
PO Box 384 (49A Karnak Rd) Advisory Services
Ashburton VIC 3147
Australia Dr Ken Winkel Andrew Jones
Tel: +61-3-9886 9166; Fax: +61-3-9886 9155 Director Father of jellyfish sting survivor
www.danasiapacific.org Australian Venom Research Unit
Please feel free to contact us, DAN or any of the above with questions regarding this and other products promising to “prevent jellyfish stings”
-Similan Diving
Snorkeling the Surin Islands
Camping and snorkeling tours of the Surin Island
The Surin Islands are famous for their crystalline beauty and infrequent visitors. The corals and snorkeling is among the very best in Thailand, and yet few people visit. If you are staying in Khao Lak, take this opportunity to celebrate the luscious reefs of the Surin Islands
We travel by both minibus and speedboat to get you the Surin Islands quick so you have more time to enjoy and snorkel. No slow boats here. The spectacular underwater show is not to be missed. With amazing diversity of corals, fish and more – you’ll be ready for more and more and more. Bring the whole family! With our attention to safety and concern for eveyone’s well-being you can rest assured that when you’re with Wicked – you’re in good hands.
Surin Snorkelling trip
3 Days 2 Nights
Day 1
7am Pick up from Hotel transfer by minibus to Kuri Buri
9am Arrive in Kuri Buri time for tea or coffee
9am (ish) Transfer to Surin islands by speedboat
12noon Arrive in Surin islands get dropped off at main campsite. Lunch?
1pm Transfer to 2nd beach by long tail settle guests into their tents.
2pm Relaxing on the island walk nature trail.
6pm Dinner at restaurant
Day 2
7am Breakfast at restaurant
8am Charter long tail to NE side of island
1pm Lunch at restaurant
2pm Charter long tail to explore other parts of Surin
6pm Dinner at restaurant
Day 3
7am Breakfast at restaurant
8am Charter long tail OR relax on the island walk the nature trail
1pm Lunch at restaurant
2pm transfer back to main campsite by longtail
3pm Pick up by speedboat transfer back to mainland
5pm Arrive in Kuri Buri transfer back to Khao Lak by minibus
6.30 Arrive in Khao Lak transfer to hotel
The cost for these guided tours is only 9,900 Baht per person based on double occupancy.
