Jellyfish Stings - What to Do If You're Stung While Paddling

If you follow Och Aye Canoe on social media, you might have seen my recent video of the huge Lion's Mane jellyfish I spotted while paddling at Aberdour. 

Seeing wildlife like this is one of the things I love about being on the water. 

Every now and then someone asks me, "What should I do if I get stung?" so I thought I'd put together a simple guide.

What Does a Lions Mane Jellyfish Look Like?

What Does a Jellyfish Sting Feel Like?

Most stings are unpleasant rather than dangerous.

You may experience:

• A sharp burning or stinging pain.
• Redness or raised skin.
• Itching.
• Mild swelling.
• Tingling.

Everyone reacts differently, so some people may have very mild symptoms while others find them more uncomfortable.

It is important to know that they can still sting if they are lying washed up on a beach, and that their tentacles can be many feet long and almost invisible in the water and still sting you.  So wear a wetsuit / gloves and keep your hands in the kayak!

What Should You Do?

If you do get stung while paddling:

Stay calm

If you're on the water, get yourself somewhere safe before dealing with the sting.

Rinse with seawater

Gently rinse the area using seawater.

Don't use fresh water, as this can sometimes cause any remaining stinging cells to release more venom.

Remove any tentacles

If you can see tentacles still attached, carefully remove them using tweezers or something like the edge of a bank card. If possible, avoid touching them with your bare hands.

Use hot water

If available, immerse the affected area in hot water (around 40–45°C, as hot as you can comfortably tolerate without burning yourself) for 20–45 minutes. This can help reduce pain from many jellyfish stings.

Pain relief

If needed, over-the-counter pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen may help, provided they're suitable for you.

Things Not To Do

There are still plenty of myths around jellyfish stings!

Please don't:

• Rub the sting.
• Pour fresh water over it.
• Touch tentacles with bare hands.
• Urinate on the sting (yes, people still ask this!).

These can actually make things worse.

When Should You Get Medical Help?

Most jellyfish stings settle with simple first aid, but you should seek urgent medical help if someone develops:

• Difficulty breathing.
• Swelling of the face, lips or throat.
• Chest pain.
• Collapse or becomes unresponsive.

It's also worth getting medical advice if:

• The pain is severe or getting worse.
• A large area has been stung.
• The eyes have been affected.
• Symptoms aren't improving after a couple of days.

Enjoy the Wildlife – Respect It Too

The Lion's Mane I filmed at Aberdour was an amazing sight and a great reminder that we're visitors in their home.

At Och Aye Canoe, safety is always my priority. Every paddling session includes appropriate safety equipment, and I'm qualified to deliver first aid training as well as outdoor first aid. I regularly teach a range of first aid courses, helping people gain the knowledge and confidence to deal with emergencies both on and off the water.

Whether you're joining me for a paddle or attending one of my first aid courses, my aim is always the same – to help you feel safer, more confident and better prepared.