Surf Life Saving WA blue bottle warning after beach sightings

SURF Life Saving WA is warning the public about bluebottle stings after a number of animals were spotted at Perth beaches at the weekend.

The bluebottle (Physalia) is described as one of the most well-known Australian jellyfish.

Their blue, balloon like sail sits above the water and is attached to a long tentacle extending below it.

This tentacle is covered in stinging cells called nematocysts. When this touches the skin it reacts by injecting a small amount of toxin which causes irritation and can be quite painful.

Surf Life Saving WA dispelled some common myths about how to treat a bluebottle sting writing that lifeguards laugh at some of the below methods:

• Do not rub sand over the sting as it just causes a rash
• Pouring soft drinks over the sting just makes it sticky
• Pouring vinegar over the skin is important for tropical marine stings, but not for bluebottle stings
• And urinating on the sting is considered gross and doesn’t work

What you should do after being stung by a bluebottle:

• Wash off any remaining tentacles with seawater, or pick off with your fingers
• Immerse the patient’s sting in hot water (no hotter than can be easily tolerated)
• If pain remains or immersion facilities are not available, the application of cold packs or wrapped ice is also effective

Some Surf Life Saving recommendations for beachgoers to avoid bluebottles include:

• Always swim at a patrolled beach, between the red and yellow flags
• Look for and obey the safety signs
• Ask a lifeguard for help and advice
• Swim in the stinger nets where provided