You know how they say “moon jellies shouldn’t cause much of a reaction in most people” and “moon jelly nematocysts don’t penetrate the skin.”
Welp, I am that “certain person” who really reacts, and it just keeps getting worse. I’m to the point where I can’t even go in the ocean to swim without covering almost my entire body to protect again just the larvae.
Yesterday, I managed surface directly into the underside of a moon jelly. I do check before I surface, but this was 5 feet of water and a super bright sun obscured the jelly that seems to have found the perfect blind spot.
It hurt something fierce. The back of my neck has actual blistered burns. Also, some particles managed to make it into my wetsuit, so I’ve got dermatitis all down my back and around my sides. Along with my hands, and lower jaw.
I’m now trying to figure out some sort of protection. First choice: a bibbed ski mask that will fit a regulator and mask, lol.
Realistic choice: a 1mm bibbed hood. But the bib can’t be the puny thing that barely goes under the wetsuit, I’m wanting the size of the collar on a nun’s habit.
I do have a vest, and ironically, this was the only day I didn’t wear it, and didn’t see any jellies on our three hour dive until the culprit in question. But it’s cumbersome to get in and out of, and too hot for these late summer dives.
Does anyone have recommendations?
Pictures for the curious:
Welp, I am that “certain person” who really reacts, and it just keeps getting worse. I’m to the point where I can’t even go in the ocean to swim without covering almost my entire body to protect again just the larvae.
Yesterday, I managed surface directly into the underside of a moon jelly. I do check before I surface, but this was 5 feet of water and a super bright sun obscured the jelly that seems to have found the perfect blind spot.
It hurt something fierce. The back of my neck has actual blistered burns. Also, some particles managed to make it into my wetsuit, so I’ve got dermatitis all down my back and around my sides. Along with my hands, and lower jaw.
I’m now trying to figure out some sort of protection. First choice: a bibbed ski mask that will fit a regulator and mask, lol.
Realistic choice: a 1mm bibbed hood. But the bib can’t be the puny thing that barely goes under the wetsuit, I’m wanting the size of the collar on a nun’s habit.
I do have a vest, and ironically, this was the only day I didn’t wear it, and didn’t see any jellies on our three hour dive until the culprit in question. But it’s cumbersome to get in and out of, and too hot for these late summer dives.
Does anyone have recommendations?
Pictures for the curious: