10 First-Aid myths not to follow
The Ririan Project posts a list of the Top 10 First-Aid myths which may actually put an individual into more danger if used. Some of these were confirmed during an American Red Cross class which I completed a few days back. Surprising to some, while altogether old news to others.
You’re far more likely to suffer a jellyfish sting than a shark bite, so here’s what you need to know:
First, don’t believe the rumors. Peeing on a stung bit of skin won’t do much to relieve suffering, and you’ll suffer some odd stares, too, doctors say.
“Urine has not been scientifically proven to help in jellyfish stings�, said Dr. Paul Auerbach, an emergency physician at Stanford University Hospital and an expert on jellyfish stings.
“Instead, vinegar is the best first treatment,� he said, when treating stings from North American jellyfish.
But the question still lingers, if no vinegar is in sight is urine better than nothing? While studies haven’t proven it, Auerbach admits he’s known a few people who said urine worked for them.
Any other “but mom always did this” tricks that have been passed down through the generations in your family?
toothpaste on a bee sting makes it stop hurting…. learned this from a baby sitter when I was like 6 years old…. pretty neat trick…. she used Crest paste… it was like 1989 though… not sure how this new liqui-supra-whitening-gel stuff will do now-a-days
Good ol’ Red Man Chewing Tobacco will do the trick every time.
RE: The Urine bit, I read recently on one of my science monthlys that in fact it’s worse when you pee on a jellyfish sting. Something to do with the spores left by the fish reacting with something in the pee. There was another twist to it actually…
…Damn I should get someone to file my science monthlys!
Anyways, who the hell takes vinegar to the beach? Sometimes I even forget my towel or sunscreen…
…Damn I should get someone to organise my beach bag!
I wonder if we should start marketing ………bottled pee, just in case of an attack of a jelly fish.
Actually urine can help, but it depends on the diet of who’s doing the pissing. The reason why |vinegar is a guaranteed help is becose it is an acid that reacts with the alkaline sting of the jelly fish, however depending on somones diets urine can be either acidic or alkaline, if its acidic it can react with the jellyfish venom, if its alkaline it could make it worse