Stingray injury

Depending on the size of the stingray, humans are usually stung in the lower limb region. Stings usually occur when swimmers or divers accidentally step on a stingray, but a human is less likely to be stung by simply brushing against the stinger. Those who enter waters with large populations of stingrays are advised to slide their feet through the sand rather than taking normal steps, as the rays detect the vibrations in the sand and swim away.

There are reports of stingers breaking off in wounds, but this may be rare. This would not be fatal to the stingray as it will be regrown at a rate of about 1.25 to 2 centimetres (0.49 to 0.79 in) per month (though with significant variations depending on the size of the stingray and the exact species). Contact with the stinger causes local trauma (from the cut itself), pain, swelling, and muscle cramps from the venom, and possible later infection from bacteria or fungi.

Immediate injuries to humans include envenomation, punctures, severed arteries and veins, and rarely death.

Fatal stings are very rare; the most famous case is when Australian wildlife expert Steve Irwin died in 2006, which was only the second case recorded in Australia since 1945. In Irwin's case, the stinger penetrated his thoracic wall, causing massive trauma.

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, extreme pain at the wound, muscle cramps, and a laceration at the puncture site. There have been cases of severe consequences which may include embedded spines, infection, hypotension, and even possible amputations or death. Pain normally lasts up to 48 hours, but is most severe in the first 30–60 minutes and may be accompanied by nausea, fatigue, spreading cramps, headaches, fever, and chills. Stingray wounds have also been found to bleed for a relatively long time following the initial puncture, although there is no evidence that the secreted venom possesses anti-coagulant properties, as some have previously believed.