Tips for a comfortable, happy and safe visit ...
Be Cautious with Nature ... at sea
Currents
Knowledge of the state and times of the tides is important before venturing out to sea. Purchase a book of Tide Tables from your local stationers or check in the daily newspapers.
Knowledge of the state and times of the tides is important before venturing out to sea. Purchase a book of Tide Tables from your local stationers or check in the daily newspapers.
Cone Shells
Although beautiful and a temptation to pick up, Cone Shells should never be handled. There is no antidote for the Cone Shell sting and, in the event of such a sting, medical aid should be sought immediately.
Although beautiful and a temptation to pick up, Cone Shells should never be handled. There is no antidote for the Cone Shell sting and, in the event of such a sting, medical aid should be sought immediately.
Corals
Coral cuts and abrasions are common around the reef areas. The surfaces of all corals are sharp and will cut skin extremely easily. If the cuts and abrasions are left untended, they will develop into itchy, painful and inflamed sores.
Always wash out with fresh water and dry ears thoroughly - a common ear infection in Kenya, known as Coral Ear - is extremely painful.
Wash all all wounds thoroughly with fresh water and apply a mild antiseptic. If the wounds do not heal within a few days, seek medical advice for a course of antibiotics.
Coral cuts and abrasions are common around the reef areas. The surfaces of all corals are sharp and will cut skin extremely easily. If the cuts and abrasions are left untended, they will develop into itchy, painful and inflamed sores.
Always wash out with fresh water and dry ears thoroughly - a common ear infection in Kenya, known as Coral Ear - is extremely painful.
Wash all all wounds thoroughly with fresh water and apply a mild antiseptic. If the wounds do not heal within a few days, seek medical advice for a course of antibiotics.
Fish and Eels
There are several fish that cause problems to humans and these may be found around the reef area. Most common of all are the eels, the porcupine fish and the puffer fish. Although the eel is generally non-aggressive, it should not be provoked either by prodding or wafting of flippers. The puffer and porcupine fish inflate their bellies by gulping in large quantities of water or air to blow up like a balloon. They are among the most poisonous of all marine creatures and should be available at all costs. Inflated porcupine fish can often be seen washed up on the beaches.
There are several fish that cause problems to humans and these may be found around the reef area. Most common of all are the eels, the porcupine fish and the puffer fish. Although the eel is generally non-aggressive, it should not be provoked either by prodding or wafting of flippers. The puffer and porcupine fish inflate their bellies by gulping in large quantities of water or air to blow up like a balloon. They are among the most poisonous of all marine creatures and should be available at all costs. Inflated porcupine fish can often be seen washed up on the beaches.
Jellyfish
Most jellyfish stings are painful, resulting in sore marks across the skin. On leaving the water after a sing, apply methylated spirits or alcohol to the area. Aloe Vera is also extremely effective as a sting relief.
Alcohol inhibits the sting and water induces it. Do not apply fresh water to the skin. If the stings are severe or extensive, seek medical aid as soon as possible.
Most jellyfish stings are painful, resulting in sore marks across the skin. On leaving the water after a sing, apply methylated spirits or alcohol to the area. Aloe Vera is also extremely effective as a sting relief.
Alcohol inhibits the sting and water induces it. Do not apply fresh water to the skin. If the stings are severe or extensive, seek medical aid as soon as possible.
Sea Urchins
Sea urchins grow in abundance in the Kenya waters and, although some are extremely attractive, they should not be handled. Swimmers should really wear jelly-shoes. The spines of many species are very long, sharp and brittle, breaking easily in the skin. They are almost impossible to remove because of the brittleness. The skin may discolour around the embedded spine tips, owing to a dye contained in the spines - this is quite harmless.
The wound of the sea urchin spine is not dangerous, although it is extremely painful and should be treated with some soothing cream or a compress of magnesium sulphate or pawpaw. the flesh of the fruit should be pulped and applied for the flesh removed from the skin of the fruit and the skin taped onto the wound. Healing occurs as the body absorbs the spine, but in rarer instances when the spines remain embedded, secondary infections may occur.
Sea urchins grow in abundance in the Kenya waters and, although some are extremely attractive, they should not be handled. Swimmers should really wear jelly-shoes. The spines of many species are very long, sharp and brittle, breaking easily in the skin. They are almost impossible to remove because of the brittleness. The skin may discolour around the embedded spine tips, owing to a dye contained in the spines - this is quite harmless.
The wound of the sea urchin spine is not dangerous, although it is extremely painful and should be treated with some soothing cream or a compress of magnesium sulphate or pawpaw. the flesh of the fruit should be pulped and applied for the flesh removed from the skin of the fruit and the skin taped onto the wound. Healing occurs as the body absorbs the spine, but in rarer instances when the spines remain embedded, secondary infections may occur.