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How Bad is a Stingray Sting?

How Bad is a Stingray Sting?

Humans spend billions of hours in the water, specifically the ocean. One of everyone’s biggest fear is to be attacked by a shark. Yet in 2016 there were only 4 fatalities resulting from unprovoked shark attacks worldwide and 0 fatalities in the United States. Stingrays, a cousin of the shark, on the other hand, have reeked more havoc in just two days, then sharks have in the past 10 years. Lifeguards have had their hands full supplying string ray kits to the victims.

Background on Sting Rays

Stingrays are found in warmer coastal tropical and subtropical waters throughout the world. They are docile creatures and only attack in self defense. Beachgoers of all ages accidentally step on the stingray partially buried in the sand and the frightened fish flips up its tails and stabs the unaware victim. Contact with the stinger causes local trauma, the cut itself causes pain, the venom causes swelling and muscle cramps. Infection from bacteria or fungi may happen later.

 

Facts on Deaths and Injuries by String Rays

Only 17 people have ever been killed by stingray since 1890. The most mainstream attack was to Steve Irwin known as a Crocodile Hunter on Discovery Channel in 2006. The barb penetrated his thoracic wall causing massive trauma resulting in his tragic death.

Experts assisted by lifeguard’s statements report there are 1500 sting ray injuries every year in the USA. Southern California already had hundreds of stingray attacks this past weekend alone. Sadly, three people were sent to the hospital, because they were having trouble breathing after being stabbed by the ray’s barbed tails. These stingrays might be small, but their barbs pack a punch.

 

Number of String Rays in Southern California is Growing

Southern California has been saturated with recent stingray injuries. The lifeguard units from Seal Beach, Huntington Beach, La Jolla and Coronado have been reporting a highly unusual surge of stingray injuries, and a growing number of shark sightings in their areas. Lt. Claude Hannah’s of Huntington Beach Marina Safety says, “There must be hundreds of thousands of stingrays out there.” According to different sources, the unusual numbers of stingrays and sharks in this area is a very strange phenomenon, though they disagree on why they are out there in such huge quantities. Regardless of the reason, it is vital to point out that lifeguards are doing a great job warning people by using signage, and reaching out via social media with warnings of when to stay out of the water.

 

What to Expect if Stung?

Though most stingray injuries aren’t serious, there is always the potential of a severe allergic reactions. That said, always use discretion when going into the water, and as any good lifeguard will tell you, always shuffle your feet in the sand. Stingrays are hard to spot because they cover themselves with sand. Low tide in the afternoon is the worst time of day to be playing in the shallow water at the beach.

90% of the people that are stung by a string ray are stung on the legs or the foot. The stingray’s barb is whipped into the unsuspecting victim, producing a deep puncture wound. The barb usually breaks off in the wound and infects it. So, it is important to have the injury checked out by a lifeguard immediately after it happens. Sometimes surgery may be required to remove the barb fragments. If you get hit, immediately see a lifeguard and get a sting ray kit. Time is of the essence. The injury is very painful but is seldom life-threatening unless the stinger pierces a vital area. Always follow up with a doctor.

 

Sting Ray Kits

What can you do if you aren’t in the location of a lifeguard? At Original Watermen, we sell Lifeguard approved Sting Ray Kits that you can carry with you to the beach. Don’t get caught unprepared! Get your foot immediately into hot water before the toxins kick in with full potency. If you don’t catch it in time, you or your child will have 4 to 6 hours of searing pain as the sting runs its course. This can all be avoided by caring stingray kits for each person in your family. And if you don’t have a kit remember to immediately locate the nearest lifeguard or lifeguard station for help.

Watermen walk the line between bravery and fear

Watermen walk the line between bravery and fear

At Original Watermen, our selection of tees, boardshorts, swimsuits, accessories and apparel is tested and proven to be just as resilient as the watermen who wear them. We recognize that it takes much more than the average person testing the waters to earn the name waterman. A lifetime spent in and around the water isn’t enough. Watermen are more than comfortable in the ocean; they focus on the lifestyle of the trade, breathing and living all things water.

Watermen inspire – they face their fears, they challenge themselves constantly, never resting on their laurels. It’s not about showing up at the beach with you board and “maybe” going for it. Finding excitement in a new challenge, watermen walk the line between bravery and fear, gaining experiences whether good or bad, to learn from and continue on. Watermen can be healed by nowhere else but the ocean.  Think about how many of the world’s most popular – and excitingly risky – surf breaks never would have been discovered if the brave individuals who discovered them would have thought they were too dangerous? If Waikiki surfers never would have stood on their long boards, using outrigger paddles to paddle their way to new, distant reef breaks? A new sport all together wouldn’t have been born. Watermen see a new challenge in the water and go for it –inventing new sports along the way. Imagine how many action sports in general the world would be missing out on, if some brave, thrill seeking watermen didn’t continue striving to evolve their equipment? Think of the underwater depths that would be left undiscovered if daring divers didn’t thrive to go deeper?

For reasons such as these, true watermen are a rare breed to come by. But if and when you do see one, you will know, recognizing the pride that comes with a lifetime spent earning their salt.

To shop for all things watermen, visit our Web site at www.originalwatermen.com. Our watermen-inspired tees, boardshorts, trunks, jackets, suits and other apparel pay tribute to those who are more than the average swimmer or diver or surfer. People often ask us – what IS Original Watermen? What is Earn Your Salt?  Original Watermen strives to represent those who have that passion to push themselves to the limit each and every time they touch the water.

Shop the Original Watermen Lifeguard Swimsuits for Men and Women, boardshorts, swimwear, lifeguard shorts, and uniforms from our lifeguard store.

The Lifeguard store of Watermen

The Lifeguard store of Watermen

Original Watermen’s lifeguard store is stocked with all the lifeguard gear your agency may need to fully outfit your rescue swimmers, seal team units or beach or pool lifeguards. Our lifeguard apparel is made by lifeguards, for lifeguards, so we know what kind of top-performance equipment is needed for resisting the training, exercise, and strenuous activity lifeguards do on a daily basis. Whether use revolves around salt water, sun or chlorine, our gear is satisfaction guaranteed.

Our lifeguard store and lifeguard lounge outfits over 1,900 agencies across the globe, ranging from ocean lifeguards, city pools, water park guards to military Special Forces. Our swimwear is also proven to be quick drying, so lifeguards can comfortably go from the water to the tower and dry quickly with no problem. In our lifeguard store, you will also find Jr. Guard swimsuits and other lifeguard equipment. The store carries a complete line of Jr. Guard swimwear, from swimsuits, trunks and Jr. Lifeguard rashguards to backpacks and Da Fins surf rescue fins.

While some lifeguard stores haven’t upgraded their lifeguard uniform or apparel design in over a decade, Original Watermen is constantly improving on a new and better fit that are comfortable 15 hours a day. In the lifeguard store you will find the most up-to-date cutting edge fabrics and styles to comfortably fit your lifeguard unit. The Watermen Stretch short is made of a new four-way super stretch fabric, making it the most popular boardshort in the industry. For female guards, we have both one- and two-piece swimsuit designs. The Elasta Girl Super Stretch Short is made with the same high-tech four-way super stretch poly microfiber as in our men’s line, and can be used both as a regular short and a cover up. Within the lifeguard store, we can embroider most swimwear with your agencies name and logo – give us a call for more information.

The lifeguard store also carries a huge selection of water and ocean inspired tees and cold weather clothes. We are continually striving to improve and provide the best quality, fit, funtion and comfort in all of our lifeguard products. Our lifeguard store carries a new Watermen Pant that is worn by guards across the country, and can be used for training and working out in colder weather.

The lifeguard store at Original Watermen also carries a full range of equipment, including Da Fin rescue fins, the best lifeguard and big wave rescue sleds, lifeguard tubes and cans, backboards, packs and whistles and most lifeguard First Aid supplies. The Orginal Watermen lifeguard store has proven time and time again to have the highest quality standards concerning swimwear and equipment in the industry.

To view our entire lifeguard store or lifeguard lounge for all type of lifeguard equipment, visit our Web site at www.originalwatermen.com or give a call at 1-760-599-0990.

Original Watermen strives to have the most resilient lifeguard shorts in the industry

Original Watermen strives to have the most resilient lifeguard shorts in the industry

Since the late ‘70s, Original Watermen’s lifeguard shorts have been proven to be a favorite in the lifeguard industry. Starting with the company’s first lifeguard shorts being sold to local Carlsbad watermen, then to California State Parks and now outfitting over 1,900 organizations worldwide, this equipment has been put to the test.

Our popular line of Retro Lifeguard Shorts is our most streamlined cut. Lifeguards love the fit because of the super soft Cool plus Liner instead of a mesh liner, which prevents chaffing. And of course, they are popular because of their five inch inseam. For the more conservative, we also have longer lifeguard shorts and boardshorts that will keep your agency comfortable, quickly dry, and are stylish. The Watermen Pro Lifeguard Boardshort is preferred by more than 75,000 lifeguards around the world.

Not to leave our waterwomen out, our line of women’s lifeguard shorts are just as elite. Our just-as-popular Elasta Girl Super Stretch Short is 100% poly microfiber and is a four-way Super Stretch short. The new stretch short fabric is the next wave of technology for lifeguard shorts and boardshorts alike, upgrading trends from previous nylon and microfiber materials. We also make women’s lifeguard shorts that are specifically made based on what California guards asked for – shorts that are quick drying, unbinding, and that can be worn as a cover short as well.

With Original Watermen’s apparel, you can rest easy that living in your watermen lifeguard shorts will be the most comfortable ones out there. Sure, our lifeguard shorts have cargo pockets designed to accommodate MTS and XTS series Motorola radios, but throw a cell phone in there instead and you have a pair of shorts so comfortable you can run all your errands in them too – and head straight to the beach or pool.

At Original Watermen, we strive to have the most resilient lifeguard shorts in the industry. When the trunks you wear are your everyday uniform, you need to know that you’re not going to lose them to – or in – the water. Other brands of shorts can lose their color or shape, among other boardshort fatalities that will make your lifeguards extremely uncomfortable. But when you are in the industry of saving lives, you know what other lifeguards are looking for and what they need to be comfortable in their lifeguard shorts throughout their 15-hour days.

Visit our Lifeguard Storeat www.originalwatermen.com to check out the full line of lifeguard shorts, clothing, swimsuits etc. we offer for men, women and junior guards.

Lifeguard clothing comes with new prints, styles, cuts and comfort

Lifeguard clothing comes with new prints, styles, cuts and comfort

At Original Watermen, our lifeguard clothing is made to withstand the strenuous and enthralling conditions lifeguards and watermen face on an everyday basis. Seasoned watermen know the level of comfort that is needed for those laborious 15-hour days, and our lifeguard clothing is made by lifeguards who have spent a lifetime in the water patrolling, surfing, swimming, paddling – you name it. Original Watermen’s lifeguard clothing started in the late ‘70s with lifeguard boardshorts being sold to local lifeguards and watermen in Carlsbad, and quickly grew to suiting the State of California Lifeguards. Now, our lifeguard clothing line outfits over 1,900 lifeguard agencies with a full line of gear and equipment.

Original Watermen’s lifeguard clothing ranges from swimsuits and boardshorts to cold weather clothes and tees. We strive to provide the best quality and comfort in our lifeguard swimsuits, and our clothing is no different. For those chilly morning dawn patrols, we have lifeguard clothing that will keep your team warm. Our Watermen Pant is worn by guards across the country, and can be used for training and working out in colder weather. Our most popular jacket in the watermen line is our Sherpa Fleece, which features our rad Original Watermen chest logo and has warm fleece throughout.

Our lifeguard clothing is specifically inspired by all things watermen, for watermen. It takes a lifetime to Earn Your Salt, and we strive to represent that theme in the artwork featured on our tees and hoodies. One of our classic tees featuring The Duke is an artistic testament to the legend who earned His Salt. And of course, in the spirit of Earning Your Salt, we must pay tribute to the God of the Sea himself, King Neptune, depicted on tees and hoodies. Our waterwomen are often drawn to our popular Mermaid tees – another legendary water mystery. Original Watermen’s lifeguard clothing aims to represent strength in both durability and artistically with our waterman themed prints.

Tees are 100% ring-spun cotton for high quality and durability, and are often times pre-shrunk to fit well – and also helps avoid size issues when shopping via our online store. We make sure our lifeguard clothing continuously sets the bar with new prints, styles, cuts and comfort. We are bringing back the retro shorts while printing new tees and hoodies on a regular basis. Having so many different options, your lifeguards will definitely find a suit and cut that fits their needs, while still patrolling in style.

For our full line of tees, hoodies, boardshorts and other lifeguard clothing, visit our Lifeguard Store at www.originalwatermen.com and place an order, or give us a call at (800) 414-3181.

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