Surfer's Box Jellyfish Encounter: Fiji's Wild Waters

0:00On April 21st, an Australian surfer named Guy Rose got hit hard by a box jellyfish while riding ways at Cloud Break in Fiji's Mamunuka Islands. This spots one of the world's top 10 breaks, and he was there on a trip with his dad when the sting struck his arm on day 1. Box jellyfish pack deadly venom in tentacles up to 10 feet long, and cases like this are spiking in the area. Rolls fell intense burning, rolled off his board and ripped off the tentacles. He ended up on a boat-shaking, vomiting, with chest tightness and numb legs before a wild one-hour drive to Naughty Hospital. Doctors said anti-venom was too late, so they used vinegar to neutralize the stings and morphine for the pain. He thought he might not make it, even calling his mom to say he loved her, but being young and fit saved him. Stings covering half a limb can kill fast, especially near the face or neck, yet he pulled through what Docs called a miracle. Now health officials in Fiji are sounding alarms after more folks showing up with breathing

1:00issues from these stings. They're linking it to box jellyfish in warm and no-Pacific waters, urging everyone at sea to stay alert. Surfers and swimmers can suit up in full-body lycra or neoprene covering most of their skin, check local warnings, and skip dawn or dusk sessions. If stung, get out of the water quick, douse with vinegar, and hit the nearest clinic. Better safe than sorry out there.