Stingray Danger: Don't Pull out the Barb

A New Zealand man was fishing off Mercury Island in New Zealand's Hauraki Gulf when he was speared in the thigh by a stingray barb that severed an artery and caused him to lose almost a quarter of his blood.

As reported in the New Zealand Herald of October 25, the fisherman pulled out the stingray barb and began bleeding profusely. The quick application of a tourniquet and a rescue helicopter flight to Auckland Hospital are credited for saving his life.

The helicopter paramedic was quoted as saying fishermen should not pull the barb out: "In a situation where the skin has been penetrated with an object it's best to leave it in place to prevent heavy bleeding from the wound."

The recent most-publicised stingray-caused death is that of Australian Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin who died in 2006 after being stung in the chest by a stingray in far north Queensland. His quick reaction was to pull out the stingray barb.

• Are Stingrays Dangerous?
• Stingrays, Blue-Ringed Octopus, Snakes, Cone Shells, Stonefish
• Dangerous Creatures: Watch out for the Aussie Nasties
• See the Creatures of the Deep at Sydney Aquarium

Photo: Giant stingray, courtesy Sydney Aquarium