Stinging jellies
The box jellyfish are a class of invertebrates of the class Cubozoa. They're called box jellyfish because of their cube shape.
Some species of the box jellyfish can be found in Australian waters and are extremely venomous. Turtles are immune to the venom and feed on the jellies.
The Chironex fleckeri, Carukai barnesi and Malo kingi are three of the most venomous animals in the world. Their stings are often fatal and can cause excruciating pain. Not al box jellyfish species are this dangerous to humans though.
Sting treatments
When you are swimming on a beach where box jellyfish are known to be present, a bottle of ordinary vinegar is a very good addition to you first aid kit.
If you've been stung by a box jellyfish, it pumps nematocysts (venomous cell) into the skin causing enormous pain. After the sting you should apply vinegar as soon as possible for at least 30 seconds. This removes any of the unfired nematocysts. The sting of a box jellyfish can kill a human being, but acetic acid will disable the unfired nematocysts so that they cannot be discharged into the bloodstream. If there are any tentacles on the skin you should first apply vinegar onto the tentacles before removing them with a towel or gloves and avoid further contact with the skin. The tentacles will still sting even if they are removed from the bell or if the jellyfish is already dead. If you remove the tentacles without applying vinegar first, this may cause the unfired nematocysts to come into contact with the skin and fire. The vinegar will not reduce the excruciating pain.
