It's the season when jellyfish are frequently spotted in UAE waters. Although their stings are not deadly, they can inflict severe pain. To assist swimmers and beachgoers, a UK-based company has launched a wearable device named Stingblade, which promises to safely extract jellyfish micro-barbs from the skin without triggering them, thereby reducing pain and preventing additional stings.
Mark Dyer, an avid water sports enthusiast, developed Stingblade after enduring numerous jellyfish stings over the years. A particularly excruciating incident happened in 2018 off the coast of Sicily, where Dyer was stung around 20 times while navigating through a massive group of jellyfish. He remembers having so much venom on his skin that, if fully absorbed, it could have posed a significant health threat. Using a diving knife, Dyer scraped off most of the stingers, an improvisation that eventually led to the creation of Stingblade.
"I aimed to develop something that would enable people to handle jellyfish stings safely and effortlessly, especially since encounters with them are increasing," Dyer shared with Khaleej Times. The Stingblade, a compact tool for removing jellyfish, is designed to be worn around the arm like a blood pressure cuff. Its plastic blade is made from recycled fishing nets from Cornwall, England. Dyer emphasized that his mission extends beyond just producing a helpful product. "It's about educating people on how to manage jellyfish stings and preventing the injury from worsening," he added.
Once a jellyfish barb latches onto the skin, it secures itself with a firm hold. If touched, it can inject venom deeper into the skin. Dyer advises against directly touching the barb and suggests using Stingblade to carefully scrape it away, ensuring minimal pain and venom exposure. Dyer also pointed out common errors made when dealing with jellyfish stings. "Rubbing the sting can push more toxins into the skin, and using cold water may actually stimulate the release of more venom," he cautioned. He recounted a situation where a lifeguard applied vinegar to his sting, which activated the micro-barbs, causing toxins to release near his spine, resulting in a more severe injury.
Environmentalists link the increase in jellyfish populations to warmer waters and overfishing, which diminishes the number of natural jellyfish predators like sea turtles. Dyer stressed that overfishing has aggravated this issue in the world's oceans, including the UAE. The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) frequently advises beachgoers to avoid contact with jellyfish and to maintain a safe distance. Abu Dhabi waters host seven species of jellyfish, with the most common being the moon jellyfish and blue blubber jellyfish, according to the EAD.
Jellyfish employ specialized stinging cells, known as nematocysts, located in their tentacles for self-defense. A single tentacle can hold thousands of these cells, each capable of injecting venom into the skin. While most jellyfish stings are harmless, healthcare experts warn that some can cause considerable discomfort or health problems. The EAD also cautions that individuals with allergies should be especially careful, as stings can lead to severe skin reactions.
Symptoms of jellyfish stings can vary from mild to severe, depending on the type of jellyfish and the individual's sensitivity. Mild symptoms might include pain, itching, and burning sensations, while more serious stings could cause difficulty breathing, chest pain, muscle cramps, skin blisters, or even nausea and abdominal pain. In rare instances, immediate medical attention may be necessary. Simmi Karia, operations director for Stingblade, mentioned that they are currently promoting the product to hotels and diving centers across the UAE, expecting high demand.
