He Met Ocean's Most Venomous Creature-and Lived
Newser • • world
Key Points:
- Australian surfer Guy Rowles, 30, was stung by a highly venomous irukandji box jellyfish while surfing off Tavarua Island in Fiji, experiencing intense pain and severe symptoms such as convulsions and chest tightness.
- The sting caused a burning sensation likened to "fire" and led to symptoms including heavy sweating, shaking, and a racing heart, prompting urgent medical attention.
- Despite a 40-minute boat ride to shore and delayed antivenom treatment, Rowles received pain management with morphine and heart monitoring before being discharged after four hours.
- Rowles recovered quickly and was able to resume surfing the next day, later reflecting on the incident with humor despite the severity of the experience.
