6.0 Prevention and Mitigation Strategies

The most effective public health strategy for managing jellyfish stings is prevention. By exercising situational awareness and taking simple precautionary measures, individuals and communities can dramatically reduce the incidence of these painful encounters. Key prevention strategies include:

• Heed Local Advisories: Always pay close attention to announcements and posted warnings from local health authorities, lifeguards, or beach patrols regarding the presence or high density of jellyfish in the water.
• Wear Protective Clothing: When swimming, snorkeling, or diving, especially in areas known for hazardous species, wearing a full-body wetsuit or other protective lycra “stinger suit” provides an effective physical barrier against tentacles.
• Avoid All Contact: Never touch a jellyfish, even one that has washed up on the shore and appears to be dead. The stinging cells on the tentacles can remain active and potent for a significant time after the jellyfish has died.

While prevention is the primary goal, it is essential for every individual to know the clear indicators for when professional medical help is non-negotiable.