Sharks
Chondrichthyes Elasmobranchii Selachii
White-tipped Reef Shark  
Picture: Boattalk.com		 FACTS: The stuff of Hollywood legend, sharks are found in all tropical and temperate regions, some even in polar waters.


THREAT: Big teeth -- but you're eight times more likely to die from a falling coconut than be mauled by a Mako.

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 TREATMENT: Twelve hours of emergency surgery? Make a MAYDAY call on Channel 16. Apply wound dressings and a tourniquet to stem the bleeding. Treat the casualty for shock: try a warm mug of sweet tea and a promise that they'll soon be starring on local TV news.
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Stingrays
Chondrichthyes Elasmobranchii Batoidea
Stingray
Photo: Source unknown

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 FACTS: Stingrays are a relative of the shark, which is why they are here on the same page. They are common to tropical waters, but prolific enough to be found as far north as the Mediterranean Sea, North American waters and even off Scandinavia. Can grow up to 5m in length and over 300kg.

THREAT: The stingray is not considered to be aggressive. However, if you swim too close (or tread on them) when they are half-buried in a sandy bottom, they will react. The spines at the base of their tails can inject you with a potent venom causing severe pain and paralysis. Death can result in some cases.

TREATMENT: Clean the wound and bathe it in hot water to dilute the toxic venom. Once the pain has eased, remove any of the barb left in the wound. Then disinfect and bandage the injury.  Seek medical attention once ashore, but this is probably not a MAYDAY situation.
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