Phuket was attacked by the “Hand of Death”: the beaches were filled with people in “chemical protection”

Russians arriving in early March on the Thai island of Phuket, where the high season is still in full swing, are greeted by swimmers in costumes that look like chemical protective suits and warnings about “killer jellyfish.” Tourists who paid a lot of money for a paradise vacation during a period considered one of the most favorable are in shock: tour sellers did not warn them about anything like this.

We found out how serious the situation is and how to behave when meeting these not-so-pleasant sea creatures.

The TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand) confirms that the attack of jellyfish, dangerous to humans, on the country’s popular resorts does indeed take place, and this year it unexpectedly occurred outside of normal migration hours for these creatures. Phuket is under particular attack, so island guides were obliged to warn newly arrived holidaymakers about the danger, despite the unpopularity of such a measure for the tourism industry. Meanwhile, the Phuket edition of The Phuket Express added to the panic by printing that “toxic jellyfish burns have already resulted in a number of deaths among island guests.” And that even jellyfish that have already been thrown onto the sand by a wave, but have not yet melted, are dangerous for people.

“At first we decided that these were just another resort horror story,” admits 26-year-old Siberian Arina, who arrived on the island on the first day of spring. “Even on the bus on the way from the airport, the guide began to talk about the fact that only some special suits that you can order from him protect you from man-eating jellyfish that unexpectedly attacked the coast. We thought that he was just selling suits, and we gave up on this information. But we come to the beach, and there, at plus 35, people are swimming in some kind of spacesuits! We called our agent, who sold us the tour, which cost more than 300 thousand rubles for two people in 9 days, and said that we didn’t want to die from a jellyfish sting for that kind of money. But we don’t want to swim in spacesuits like everyone else. And she told us: yes, these are resort stories, and only the Chinese swim in spacesuits because they are afraid of getting sunburned.

The survey shows that all newly arrived “package tourists” (short-term tourists) who arrived in Phuket on tours for one or two weeks are faced with the question: to swim or not? In ordinary swimming trunks – or not to risk it and buy a “spacesuit”? And who can you trust? It is clear that the tour managers who have already sold an expensive product and remain in cold Russia are deliberately devaluing the threat. But on the spot they say different things: guides warn that contact with a toxic jellyfish can be deadly, and immediately offer sea excursions with swimming, although there are much more marine reptiles in the open sea around the “uninhabited” islands. On the beaches there are warning signs with the image of a creepy jellyfish, and under them lie the real ones, washed up by the sea, and no one is worried that beachgoers might step on them. But, according to the local press, on particularly dangerous beaches, which in Phuket include Patong and Nam Bo Bay, emergency medical centers are equipped for victims of jellyfish. We find such a mobile “ambulance” parked in the Patong area.

“There’s an influx of jellyfish now,” explains a Thai woman in a white robe, who called herself “Sister Som Wag.” – Most of them are not dangerous, if you burn yourself on it, it will just sting, the skin will turn red and swell. But if you quickly and correctly provide help by treating the affected area, then everything will pass quickly. Such jellyfish are dangerous only for allergy sufferers; they may experience anaphylactic shock. If this happens in the water, then the person may simply not swim out. But if he is in shallow water, then the antihistamine we will give him will quickly put him in order.

– So, these jellyfish are not dangerous for others?

– Most of the ones you see off the coast are low toxic. They are dangerous only if a person falls right into the midst of such jellyfish and receives several burns in different places at once. This can cause a cramp, which is dangerous at depth. But jellyfish swim in schools only at depth, so just don’t swim too far.

– Why then are swimmers recommended to wear impermeable suits like divers?

– They are popular with the Chinese, as they are very afraid of jellyfish. And Chinese groups are especially carefully instructed in this regard by their accompanying travel agencies. Honestly, Chironex fleckeri (aka Box, Sea Wasp, Sea Sting and Hand of Death – the most toxic type of jellyfish, stinging with nerve poison – author) can also swim, since others have sailed. The current brings them, and you can’t control this.

– Have victims of the Sea Sting already contacted you?

– Fortunately, no. This jellyfish attacks the cardiovascular system within 5 minutes of contact. The one stung by it may simply not swim out, and the others will decide that he drowned. It can cause cardiac arrest even if stepped on on the shore, when it seems no longer alive. But until the jellyfish has completely melted, it is alive and poisonous.

As a result of what was learned at two more emergency “anti-jellyfish” aid stations, at least three ironclad rules for survival on the beaches where these dangerous individuals swim and “sunbathe” at the water’s edge emerge. Do not swim in the dark, in cloudy weather, in muddy water and after a storm – these are the conditions preferred by those with the most deadly stings. When on the beach, pay attention to warning signs, respond to lifeguard whistles, and swim only in designated areas within their field of vision. Allergy sufferers, heart patients and anyone with chronic diseases should take their usual medications with them to the beach, and also find out where the nearest mobile ambulance station is located. And even for absolutely healthy people, it’s a good idea to have vinegar or lime with you; immediately after a burn, the affected area should be treated with acid, under no circumstances rinsing it with fresh water, it will only worsen the intoxication. After even minimal contact with a jellyfish, difficulty breathing, pale skin and/or severe weakness are reasons to immediately consult a doctor.