Vinegar is included in the treatment for all unknown jellyfish stings that occur in tropical Australia. This is to prevent further stinging from tentacles that may remain on the skin after a box jellyfish sting and to prevent further discharge of stinging cells after an Irukandji sting.
- Send for help, additional resources (vinegar, cold packs or ice and an AED) and request an ambulance.
- Ask the person to rest while providing reassurance.
- Gain consent to provide (and document) treatment.
- Manage any signs of the venomous creature. For tropical jellyfish—apply vinegar over the jellyfish tentacles then pick off any remaining tentacles with your gloved fingertips.
- Monitor and reassure the person while waiting for paramedics to arrive.
- Manage the person’s pain levels (see Pain management).
Note
- If vinegar is not available, pick off any jellyfish tentacles with your gloved fingertips then rinse the sting well with seawater.
- Do NOT apply fresh water onto the sting as this may cause the discharge of undischarged nematocysts—pay close attention to any water from ice or cold packs.
- Vinegar does not provide pain relief from venom already injected.
- Vinegar may cause nematocyst discharge of some other jellyfish, including bluebottles, so it is recommended only for tropical areas where box jellyfish and Irukandji stings occur.
- Vinegar needs to be kept only in tropical Australian surf lifesaving clubs for use on box jellyfish stings, Irukandji stings and unknown tropical jellyfish stings.