Careful Of Moray Eels

[bg7003]

I've been lobster diving in the keys for about ten years now and never had an incident like this. I was reaching into a hole to grab a lobster that shot back in and i felt a whack on my finger. I pulled my hand out and looked at my finger. My right middle finger was ripped open down do the bone, top and bottom. The eel's teeth cut through my nail as well. My finger was one big mess and bleeding like crazy 500 yards off shore. I got back and went to the hospital. Needed ten stitches on my finger and its been two months and I still don't have full range of motion with it. Some cool scars though and a pretty neat (but stupid) story. Lesson of the story is: don't reach into holes. EVER. I was also wearing gloves.

 

[The Chairman]

Sorry that you had to learn it the hard way. At least you're typing again!

"When the eel bites your hand
And you don't understand...
That's a moray!"​

 

[Doubler]

That's why they make tickle sticks.

 

[Crush]

Sorry that you had to learn it the hard way. At least you're typing again!

"When the eel bites your hand
And you don't understand...
That's a moray!"​

"When you put your hand in a crack
and you don't get it back...
That's a moray!"​

 

[DMDavid]

"When you put your hand in a crack
and you don't get it back...
That's a moray!"​

Ah yes! The Barefoot Man, love the entire CD.

 

[mrfixitchapman]

From Barefoot Man - Scuba Do

when you're diving at night, and your feet feel the bite,
that's a moray
when your hand's in the cave, suddenly you'll need saved,
that's a moray
when you blubber and scream, but you have a bad dream
that's amore
when he hits all your fingers, with teeth that are stingers,
a moray...

that's a moray that's a moray

little fella

when he bites on your thumb, takes a chunk of your bum,
that's a moray
when you reach in his cave, he's all bravo and brave
he's a moray

and it's not how it feels, and you know you have eels,
that's a moray....
scuzza me, but you see, let them be, or you'll see
lotsa morays.......


or this one

There's a thing on the reef, with big shiny white teeth - it's a Moray
If he's big and he's mean, and he's slimy and green - it's a Moray

Put your hand in the crack and you won't get it back - It's a Moray
When you're movin' your hands, best take care where they land - Watch for Morays

When some teeth catch your eye. and an eel wriggles by - It's a Moray
when something, bites your fin, and throws off your trim - It's a Moray

Keep your fingers in tight and you won't have a fright - It's a Moray
When you're moving by feel and then up pops the eel - It's a Moray

When an eel bites your thigh, as you're just swimming by - It's a Moray
When you scream, and you beg, but it still bites your leg - It's a Moray

Watch you don't get a shark, When you search, after dark - for amore
When you're out of your depth, and you run short of breath - that's amore air

When he's fanning his gills, Better head for the hills - It's a Moray
when your light, in the night, gets swallowed out of sight, - It's a Moray

When your horse munches straw, And the bales total four - That's some more hay.
When you're down and it's dark, Over there - that a shark?, No - It's a Moray

When you ace your last test, Like you did all the rest - That's some more "A"s!
When your boat comes home fine, And you tie up her line - That's a moor, eh?

When you've had quite enough, Of this daft rhyming stuff, that's "no more!", eh?

DC

 

[Scott L]

I've been lobster diving in the keys for about ten years now and never had an incident like this. I was reaching into a hole to grab a lobster that shot back in and i felt a whack on my finger. I pulled my hand out and looked at my finger. My right middle finger was ripped open down do the bone, top and bottom. The eel's teeth cut through my nail as well. My finger was one big mess and bleeding like crazy 500 yards off shore. I got back and went to the hospital. Needed ten stitches on my finger and its been two months and I still don't have full range of motion with it. Some cool scars though and a pretty neat (but stupid) story. Lesson of the story is: don't reach into holes. EVER. I was also wearing gloves.

You were lucky. A co-worker of mine received 50 stitches on his hand 45 days ago. I on occasion was doing the same. Hopefully, not again...

 

[Johnoly]

If you bug hunt enough, you're going to have to stick your hand in a couple of holes. I've been bitten twice so far this year and got hit 3 times last year, just a cost we have to pay.

That's why you need to always use the best equipment available ( & not always the most expensive)

We use Hex Amor 9003 level six gloves. These are hospital waste gloves that are needle stick proof and they do stop the spotted eel's bite. If you get bit by a green eel, then you need better glasses. They also have a smooth palm coating that will not snag on the antenna barbs so you can easily slide your fingers down to grip the knuckles. The fabric type gloves snag.. I've seen the green and blue palm kevlar lobster gloves and the expensive big name gloves, but none of them will stop an needle stick (teeth).

Get the best equipment for your type of diving, cave, bug, photo, etc. Not the most expensive.

$26 and mine last about 300 dives before they wear out

HexArmor Level Six Series 9003

 

[bg7003]

Thanks for the tips on gloves johnoly. It was a pretty big lobster I was going after. I was mostly spear fishing but couldn't let this one pass up. Hence no tickle stick

 

[Jax]

From Barefoot Man - Scuba Do

when you're diving at night, and your feet feel the bite,
that's a moray
when your hand's in the cave, suddenly you'll need saved,
that's a moray
when you blubber and scream, but you have a bad dream
that's amore
when he hits all your fingers, with teeth that are stingers,
a moray...


DC

:mooner: Now I can't get that song out of my head!