If you haven’t then consider yourself very lucky. Stingrays inflict a whole world of pain on their unfortunate victims, and the only treatment is to endure the gut churning pain, while soaking the injured limb in borderline scalding water.
Stingrays are everywhere in the United States
There are twenty-two different species of stingrays in the United States waters. They span from coast to coast, in bays and oceans, in brackish to salty waters and the only way to prevent a stingray strike would be to wear steel lined combat boots while swimming. Sure the ‘stingray shuffle’ works for most but eventually you will be stung if you spend most of your days at the bays and beaches we love so much. It is estimated that over 2,500 people will be stung in the United States this year.
I have been a lifeguard in Southern California for over ten years, and in that time, I have treated countless stingray victims. No one is safe. I have seen victims at every location imaginable and stings to pretty much everybody part, so pretty much if there is salt in the water there is a chance of getting stung by one of these pesky critters.
At lifeguard stations throughout the country the standard treatment is to soak the foot in hot water typically about 112 degrees or as hot as you can stand without burning the skin. However, there is great risk involved when you are treated at the lifeguard station. Lifeguards reuse the buckets for stingrays and these bloody buckets are supposed to be cleaned and ‘sterilized’ after each treatment. This doesn’t always happen and there have been some cases where people are infected with a serious blood borne diseases like HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C following a treatment by lifeguards. The buckets you soak your feet in at the lifeguard station have seen hundreds of bloody feet and all it takes is a little mistake by the cleaner of the bucket to seriously change your life. The only way to completely avoid accidental infection by something much worse than a stingray sting is to use a sterile single use stingray bag. The bag should be free standing when water is poured in so you’re not stuck holding it up while enduring the excruciating pain. The stingray bags that are sold here… are both free standing and insulated so you just need to add hot water and head straight home or to the hospital.
Why you need a stingray kit
Many remote beaches have no lifeguards and especially no access to hot water. At our lifeguard store we have patented a product for just that occasion. It is a safe chemical reaction kit that heats water on the go anywhere. Just add water.
Whether it’s a weekend road trip, a cruise on the boat, or an exploration into the unknown, this quiver of summer essentials has you covered. As watermen, we are always searching for the next adventure and this summer we are destined to stumble into quite a few adventures. We put together a list of summer gear that is essential for a salty summer. Enjoy, and get out there and Earn Your Salt!
These timeless retro boardshorts will never get old. Whether you are cruising the land or enjoying the ocean, comfort comes with ease in these rash-free men’s retro boardshorts. The only thing these shorts won’t do is give you retro empty line-ups, but we guarantee these retro boardshorts will become a go-to for your summer style.
2) DaFins
Original Watermen’s fins of choice. These DaFins are lightweight and float, making them easy to throw in your gear bag. You never know when the water will beckon a quick bodysurf or snorkel, so always be prepared with a pair of swim fins, sunscreen and other accessories.
The TraceUp GPS is one of our favorite gadgets. It tracks and gives you in-depth analysis on all of your surf sessions. It’ll also auto-edit your GoPro footage with your session data. Now, you’ll be able to always remember that 400-yard wave turn by turn with every little detail in between.
It’s never fun to have the sun in your eyes. That’s why we make sure to always pack our favorite snapback hat. The Seafarer Snapback Hat is stylish and comfortable. After all, we know how the showering routine tends to go when you are chasing south swells all summer; so, pack the hat, your hair will thank you.
This BPA-free thermos keeps your water cold and coffee warm. It’s your 40 oz to freedom. The Mizu Thermos is a must for keeping you hydrated on those long days in the hot summer sun. We like Mizu’s V12 for its durability, perfect size and ability to keep our beverages chilly.
We might not be able to get barreled like John John Florence but we can wear his signature Spy Optic frame. We choose these shades as a summer essential because they fold up and make for easy storing. The polarized ‘Happy Lens’ is essential for spotting those rips and elusive fishing holes.
We love our soft ring-spun cotton Patch Tee. You really can’t go wrong with any of our men’s tees or women’s tees, but this classic design is our favorite to wear on hot sumer days because of its soft, breathable fabric and guaranteed style.
Now that you’ve seen Original Watermen’s summer essentials, you can be equipped for whatever adventures lie ahead this summer. Wax your boards, check the swell charts and follow the wind; your summer adventure awaits. Get out and Earn Your Salt!
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