Lionfish, stonefish and fire coral: Red Sea stings and first aid

• Rinse the wound with clean fresh water, remove visible debris and control bleeding.
• Soak it in non-scalding hot water at 43–45°C (110–113°F) — for lionfish stings, DAN cites 30 to 90 minutes. Test the temperature on yourself first: intense pain affects how well the injured person can judge heat.
• Get a medical evaluation. Call emergency services straight away if the person seems intoxicated, weak, is vomiting, short of breath or loses consciousness.

Heat can give dramatic relief from lionfish stings; DAN notes it may do little for stonefish pain but is still advised. Stonefish antivenom exists but should only be given in hospital.

DAN's steps: rinse the area with household vinegar, then keep it clean, dry and aired. Redness and small blisters are likely — don't pop them; let them dry on their own. Open wounds need a doctor, and DAN notes fire-coral venom can damage the wound edges, which your doctor should know before stitching.

Soak in non-scalding hot water (43–45°C), remove only the spines you can see, and don't dig for buried ones. See a doctor if spines are in a hand, foot or near a joint, or if the wound looks infected.

Good buoyancy and no touching. DAN notes fire-coral injuries are common among divers with poor buoyancy control. Our no-touch policy protects you and the reef.