--- Philip Thomas <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > <As a journalist, can you investigate and shed some > light on the fish that appears to have attacked > Sasha.> > > Suggest YOU check out crampfish on the web and share > your findings with > goanetters! Cheers!
Having read the original article (obviously a literal translation of Russian), I guess that what the lady meant was a fish that causes cramp. Two types come to mind: an electric ray, or jellyfish. I tend to think of the latter, as there abound plenty of jellyfish in the waters of S Goa, as a result of shipping (Mormugao harbour). But I am indeed puzzled by the "puncture hole the size of a rouble coin". Of course the non-existent medical attention is appalling, so is the absence of life-guards. The hotels should volunteer / finance / provide life-guards for the purposes of "minding" their guests on the adjoing beach and have a policy of "swim between the flags", since the Tourism Dept is sleeping on this matter. In 1993, when my then 10-year-old was stung by a jellyfish on Colva beach, the people who assisted us were a couple of Australians (we were not Aussies then) who suggested we apply lemon juice or vinegar to neutralise the poison - we got a few drops of the latter from a beach shack nearby. Ever since that time, we always carry a small bottle of the stuff (white vinegar here, the local stuff in Goa) whenever we go to the beach. =============== http://www.barrierreefaustralia.com/the-great-barrier-reef/jellyfish.htm states: Box Jellyfish (Chironex Fleckeri) Box Jellyfish are pale blue and transparent and bell or cubed shaped with four distinct sides, therefore the name box jellyfish. Measuring up to 20 cm along each side of the cube or bell, the Box Jellyfish has up to as many as 15 tentacles on each corner which can be 3 metres in length with up to 5,000 nematocysts (stinging cells). The Box Jellyfish shoots itself along up to speeds of 4 knots in a jet-like motion. ... You have virtually no chance of surviving the venomous sting, unless treated immediately. The pain is so excruciating and overwhelming that you would most likely go into shock and drown before reaching the shore. So don't go swimming alone! Be sure to know the first aid procedures. First Aid. Never use methylated spirit or alcohol. Domestic vinegars should be poured liberally over the tentacles to inactivate stinging cells as soon as possible. The tentacles may then be removed. Artificial respiration and cardiac massage may be required. Where antivenin is unavailable, pressure-immobilisation may be used on limbs after inactivation of stinging cells, while the patient is being transported to the nearest medical centre. =========== However, I understand that only plain water should be used in Portuguese Man-o-war stings, as vinegar makes it worse. So it is worthwhile knowing your jellyfish! Cheers, Gabriel. ___________________________________________________ On Yahoo!7 Desperate Housewives: Sneak peeks, recaps and more. http://www.yahoo7.com.au/desperate-housewives