posted
Okay. if you all haven't heard, the guy died from a horrible freak accident. He was shooting footage in a shallow part of the Great Barrier Reef when a sting ray got him in the chest. They say death was instantaneous. Sting rays are usually very docile, but it was tiger shark season and it's said that the cameraman was right in front of the creature while Steve was swimming above it.
Anyone want to give any thoughts about this tragedy?
Posts: 26397 | From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA | Registered: Feb 2005
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what size is a ray barb? ( not Rhubarb! note)they say it pierced his heart and he pulled it out?
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quote:Originally posted by teflontoupee: what size is a ray barb? ( not Rhubarb! note)
A the overall size or a stingray barb varies and depends on the size of the stingray itself, but it's usually the size of a small thin knife around 10 inches long and is serrated.
The stinger emits a neurotoxin that causes over-stimulation of the nerves. Which is why when Irwin was stung in the heart he immediately suffered cardiac arrest from the venom.
quote:they say it pierced his heart and he pulled it out?
Yes, but by then it was too late.
The venom from a stingray barb really isn't that serious unless it hits a vital organ and such incidences are rare. Most folks who get stung, get it in areas like the foot, ankle, or leg. The venom causes the muscles in the area to cease as well as excruciating pain. There really no anti-venom and the only treatment is hot water to destroy the venom molecules.
That and the fact that sting rays don't get provoked as easily as say snakes makes the whole affair a very unfortunate accident.
Posts: 26397 | From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA | Registered: Feb 2005
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