Portugese man of war everywhere(upper keys)

[deeper thoughts]

Quick trip to Hen and Chickens
water temp 76
Viz 20 feet
1-2 foot seas
Dodging numerous man of wars on the surface

 

[drrich2]

Wow, serious stuff! I've never seen a Portuguese Man O' War in the wild. Wondered what areas they were an issue in; didn't know the upper keys were one.

Love the hermit crab shot.

 

[deeper thoughts]

Wow, serious stuff! I've never seen a Portuguese Man O' War in the wild. Wondered what areas they were an issue in; didn't know the upper keys were one.

Love the hermit crab shot.

Plenty of them but on the plus side plenty of turtles

 

[MrChen]

Wow, serious stuff! I've never seen a Portuguese Man O' War in the wild. Wondered what areas they were an issue in; didn't know the upper keys were one.

Love the hermit crab shot.

I've seen them washed up on the beach here in FL, but never seen one while in the water.

 

[deeper thoughts]

I've seen them washed up on the beach here in FL, but never seen one while in the water.

They r still everywhere

 

[drrich2]

Any thoughts on what thickness wet suit is needed to protect against their stings? I would think a 3-mm would do it, but what about a Lycra dive skin, rash guard or similar?

Richard.

 

[Boarderguy]

Any thoughts on what thickness wet suit is needed to protect against their stings? I would think a 3-mm would do it, but what about a Lycra dive skin, rash guard or similar?

Richard.

I'd still be concerned with exposure around your face. They only way around that is a ffm sealed over your tucked in/integrated hood.

 

[glennster]

we dove pickles and bettys yesterday. seas 2-3 ft. vis 40 on pickles 70 on bettys. man o war were there too. just look before you surface. skins are enough for man o war and jellies.

 

[tridacna]

Any thoughts on what thickness wet suit is needed to protect against their stings? I would think a 3-mm would do it, but what about a Lycra dive skin, rash guard or similar?

Richard.

I've been zapped. Pain lasted a few hours. Worst kind imaginable. Rash for a few weeks after that. I was wearing a shorty. Stung me everywhere I had no neoprene. Luckily I was diving nearby my parent's house so I was able use up ALL of my mother's vinegar.

 

[Boarderguy]

Heat applied directly to the area is better at neutralizing jelly stings than vinegar. I think it needs to be ~120°F. I'll look for the study in the meantime.