While we are not very fond of Jellyfish or any other stinging creatures especially while traveling in the ocean, there are a lot of people who’re putting their lives in danger because of them. Jellyfish stings are among the worst pain you can experience in the water. If you’re planning on swimming in a jellyfish-heavy area, you need to know if a wetsuit will protect you from their painful stinging tentacles.
A wetsuit is a neoprene suit that surfers wear to provide extra thermal protection while they surf in cold water. Surfing in the ocean is pretty dangerous because of the possibility of jellyfish. Wearing a wet suit allows you to stay in longer, so you can catch more waves. However, do wetsuit protect against jellyfish?
The short answer is yes, but you need to pick the right type of wetsuit. Wetsuits are designed to protect you from the elements such as cold waters and strong waves, but they can also offer protection against jellyfish stings. However, there are specific types of wetsuits that provide better protection against jellyfish than others.
Though there have been stories of swimmers getting stung, you may be surprised to hear that no serious injuries have ever been reported during a swim in a wetsuit. But just to be safe, every new swimmer is encouraged to try wearing a wetsuit first. It might not prevent jellyfish stings, but it will absolutely reduce the risk of injury.
There are a few ways a wetsuit could help to prevent stings, but none of them are foolproof. The first and most obvious way is that the wetsuit can act as a physical barrier between you and the jellyfish. If the jellyfish’s tentacles don’t make contact with you then you won’t get stung. However, this isn’t always useful because it depends on how your wetsuit fits and which jellyfish you’re dealing with.
READ ALSO: Do You Have to Wear a Wetsuit to a Scuba Dive?
If the tentacles attach to your exposed skin or face then the wetsuit won’t be much protection. Also, some jellyfish have really long tentacles extending far beyond their bell. A full-length wetsuit may protect against these but many people would rather not wear a full-length suit while swimming in warm water.
Jellyfish stings can be painful and irritating but usually aren’t serious. Most jellyfish stings cause only minor symptoms, such as skin irritation, itching, and pain. More-severe reactions are rare. Although most jellyfish stings can be treated at home, you should seek emergency medical attention immediately if you develop severe symptoms.
Can jellyfish sting through a wetsuit?
The answer to this question is “Yes” and “No.” Jellyfish stings are painful and can cause redness, swelling, and itching at the site of the sting. The stings can be dangerous especially when they happen on sensitive parts of the body such as the eyes, mouth or genitals. Wearing a wetsuit is thought to reduce the risk of being stung, but does not eliminate it.
Depending on the species of jellyfish and how thick your wetsuit is, jellyfish stinging cells can penetrate wetsuits if they come in contact with them. Jellyfish stings can get through a thin layer of neoprene because it is not 100% watertight and it’s very unlikely to withstand the pressure of a jellyfish sting.
The majority of jellyfish species have nematocysts that have barbs with tiny harpoons which contain poison that can enter into human skin through tiny puncture wounds. The nematocysts are released when the tentacles contact the skin. Depending on the type of jellyfish, a single sting may cause a slight rash while other species which have more potent venom can cause severe problems including death.
If you’re swimming in an area known for jellyfish then it’s probably best to wear a lycra suit underneath your wetsuit. This will provide more protection. Lycra wetsuits are lighter weight than their neoprene counterparts and tend to fit closer to your body shape so they don’t bunch up when swimming laps at the pool or surfing waves out at sea.
What to do after a jellyfish sting?
Some jellyfish stings can be very unpleasant and painful. When you are stung by a jellyfish, get emergency medical treatment at once. If someone is in danger of drowning from being stung by a box jellyfish, pull them out of the water immediately — even if they can’t stand or move on their own — and call 911 or your local emergency number.
If you’re not sure what kind of jellyfish has stung you, you can apply first aid measures by rinsing the affected area with seawater (do not use freshwater) as soon as possible and remove any tentacles or other body parts that may still be attached to your skin with tweezers or another tool. Do not touch any remaining tentacles with your bare hands.
You should then gently rub the area with sand to get rid of any fragments left in your skin. Rinse with seawater again, then apply vinegar – this neutralizes the venom if it is still active. If vinegar is not available, use baking soda or sea water as an alternative.
Some jellyfish species have tentacles which can grow up to 10 feet long and are covered with tiny barbs or hooks that inject venom into their victims when they come into contact with them. The poison is extremely powerful, causing excruciating pain and sometimes death within minutes if left untreated. This is why it’s important not to touch any part of these animals when swimming in their habitat.
Are there other ways to reduce the risk of stings when swimming or surfing?
The best way to avoid stings is to stay out of the water. But we all know that’s not possible, especially when you live in a coastal or island community.
If you can’t avoid the water, don’t swim at dawn or dusk when box jellyfish are most active. Also, don’t swim after heavy rain, which can wash box jellyfish into shore. Check for warning signs and lifeguards before going in the water.
As with the ocean, there are a few ways to reduce your risk of stings in freshwater. First and foremost, avoid the water when you see a lot of jellyfish or other stingers present. Second, wear protective clothing such as a full wetsuit or stinger suit. These garments have been shown to reduce stings by up to 90 per cent.
READ ALSO: Can You Wear A Pad Under A Wet Suit?
Another way to protect yourself is to consider where you go swimming or surfing. Generally speaking, jellies are more common closer to shore where there is more food and shelter for them and their young. They also seem to prefer waterways that have less circulation and flushing (such as estuaries). So although it may be more convenient and tempting to swim at the beach, try going for a dip in an open ocean or even a pool.
What is the best jellyfish proof wetsuit?
If you are swimming in areas where there are jellyfish, then it is important to find the best jellyfish proof wetsuit to wear. Wearing a good quality wetsuit can offer more than just protection from a jellyfish sting. For example, it may also offer UV protection and help to keep your core body temperature regulated.
Here is a look at some of the best options for jellyfish proof wetsuits so you can decide which one is best for your needs.
1. Seavenger 3mm Odyssey Wetsuit with Sharkskin Chest
Warmth and durability make this 3mm Odyssey Full Suit ideal for divers in warm water or cool conditions. A heavy-duty back zipper with a long pull tab makes self donning easier. The suit’s soft, high-stretch neoprene provides excellent freedom of movement, while its flatlock stitching ensures minimal water penetration. Sharkskin chest and knee panels provide protection without sacrificing flexibility or comfort.
The Odyssey Wetsuit is one of finest wetsuits on the market. At only $79, you’d be hard pressed to find a better suit for the price.
2. ZCCO Ultra Stretch 3mm Neoprene Wetsuit
The ultra-stretchy 3 mm Neoprene Wetsuit combines warmth, comfort and performance in a full-body men’s wetsuit made for watersports enthusiasts. The smoothskin front panel of the wetsuit creates an additional barrier to wind and water, keeping you warmer when your heart is beating hard on cold days.
In addition to providing awesome thermal protection in frigid weather, this suit features a durable and stretchy interior jersey made of flatlock seams so you enjoy maximum movement while diving or snorkeling. These state-of-the-art suits feature windproof textured chest and back panels that trap more body heat to keep you warm when the windchill is high and the water temperature is low.
Conclusion – Do wetsuit protect against jellyfish?
So the answer to this common question is quite simple: yes and no. First off, wetsuits don’t necessarily make you immune to jellyfish stings. In fact, if the wetsuit doesn’t cover the areas of your body that are normally submerged when you swim, you could arguably be at a greater risk of being stung than going in without a suit at all.
However, having said that, if you’re wearing a proper wetsuit (one that covers your arms, legs, and feet), then you do have some level of protection against jellyfish stings—however small it may be. That’s because your neoprene suit will have a “sting guard” sewn into it that is made of flat-knitted polyethylene. This material is much smoother than most wetsuits and acts like a net to catch any sea creatures before they come in contact with your skin.
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