What Does It Mean if You Get Stung by a Sting Ray - Fishing the Shore of Little Gasparilla Island

One of the most beautiful places I have ever visited is a small island off the gulf coast of Florida known as Palm Island. Also know as Little Gasparilla Island, this place is a true island with no land bridge. You can only get there by ferry or private boat. The inter-coastal waterway (Lemon Bay) empties into the Atlantic Ocean along the north side of Palm Island in a waterway known as Stump Pass.

The fishing is not as great in Lemon Bay as it once was and it is not as productive as Gaspirilla Pass or Charlotte Harbor, but it can be fished from the shore of Palm Island without a boat. This means I can fish day and night while my family is enjoying other aspects of our family vacation. My typical fishing outings are one week trips with at least some fishing every day. Almost every trip to Palm Island... I have been there at least 25 times... I go out once or twice with my favorite guide Captain Les Hill. Les has been a professional guide for just about as long as I have been fishing in the Charlotte Harbor area. We have caught as many as 13 different specials on a weekend trip. But the favorites each for a different include Redfish, Snook, Flounder, Spanish Mackeral, Sea Trout, Lady Fish, Tarpon (I still have not caught one of these), a variety of Shark, Mangrove Snapper, young Grouper, Jack, and Sting Ray.

One beautiful morning just after sunrise, I was fishing in the shallow water on the north edge of Palm Island. I had waded into about a foot of water perhaps 15 feet off the shore. The Snook come charging in and out of these waters, and with light tackle the experience of catching one is enough to get anyone hooked on back water fishing.

After an hour or so, (time moves pretty fast when you are in paradise) I was stunned by the instant intense pain in my leg. As I looked down, I saw a sting ray dashing away as if I had just attacked him. Being from Cleveland, I had no idea just how serious this might be. The little guy swimming away was only about 15 inches in diameter.

The pain was so intense all I could think of, was that I had just been stung by a venomous creature from the ocean, and that I was going to die. My thoughts shifted quickly to perhaps I won't die, but they might have to cut off my leg! Truly, friends, the pain was sharp, and penetrating, and throbbing. I was at least 20 minutes from my condominium, and in my mind, I figured I could be dead before I would make it back.

So in an act of desperation, I shouted out to a fisherman in a boat... "What do you do if you get stung by a Sting Ray". Since he was quite a way out it sounded like Whaaat dooo youuu dooo if youuu get stunnnng by a stinnng Raaay. As if he could read my mind, he shouted back "You wonnnt diiiie". With that bit of comfort, and encouragement, I had the strength to hobble over to my golf cart, and begin the journey back to my condo. All the way back I remember mumbling, "Oh my God, Oh my God". At one point it hurt so bad, I began to laugh!

As it turns out, hot water as hot as you can stand it, will de-nature the venom from the sting ray. So once I got back, a nice foot bath in scalding hot water terminated about 95% of the pain in no more than 20 minutes. So after breakfast and a few hours in the pool, I was back on the beach fishing.

Ah but this story has an interesting twist. About two weeks after I got home to Cleveland, my ankle swelled up to the size of a grapefruit. So now I am thinking, I was right all along. They are going to have to amputate my leg.

I made an appointment to go to the Cleveland Clinic, but on my way out the door I got to thinking... these guys at the Cleveland Clinic have never seen a sting ray infection, and given the change, who knows what they might try. So I hopped on the internet and after a few minutes, I found a nice article on venomous marine life. It contained detailed recommendations for treating the secondary infection often caused by the shattered barb left behind from a sting ray. This was too funny. I highlighted the recommended antibiotic, and treatment; and went to see the Doc. Just as I had imagined, the Doc had no idea what to do with my leg.

So once Doc Wu began scratching his head, I explain, "Doc, I don't want to be presumptious, but I did a little research and here is the recommended treatment for an infection resulting from a sting ray attack." The doctor read the few paragraphs, nodded his head, wrote a script for prescription, cleaned out the barb as recommended, sent me home, and sent me a bill. So that is what you do if you get stung by a sting ray.

Super Black Mat Yoga

Learn How To Hit A Golf Ball With Effortless Power Using Correct Golf Swing Sequence!

Want to hit farther and straighter?

To achieve that, a correct golf swing sequence will give you the power and control to a golf game.

When you improve the basic fundamentals of a correct golf swing sequence, you will hit the ball farther and straighter with very little effort.

Although there are no quick fixes to having a correct golf swing, here are some basic tips to a correct golf swing sequence-

1) Grip - A grip that is too strong or too weak will not give you a correct golf swing first up. A balance of the grip is needed every time you address the ball. As well ,the angle the club lies in your hand is critical.

2) Balanced Posture - A Key requirement of a correct golf swing, but importantly protects your back and aligns your body into a good position.

- Bend from the hips whilst keeping your back straight;
- Your feet shoulder width apart;
- Legs are flexed at a minimum;
- Hands and arm should hang directly below the shoulder.

3) Ball position

4) Aim and Alignment - Club face must be set perpendicular to the target line

3) Pivot - How you move your body will determine the golf swing sequence; the back swing, the down swing, impact and post impact.

- At address, left arm is straight, right arm is slightly bent and elbows close together. With a proper grip, posture and pivot, your Hands and arms will start the back swing, and swing the club.

Your body turns in a controlled manner to assist this golf swing, promoting arm leverage which will allow a full swing of the left hand and arm.

At the top of the back swing, left arm should be extended as far as possible whilst the right elbow is bent in, pointing towards the ground. During this back swing, the right leg must remained flexed, which allows a full body turn for a correct golf swing.

As you can see, the back swing is crucial to an entire golf swing sequence!

- A correct golf down swing will start from the legs and hips, not your hands and arms. Hold your shoulders in the fully turned position as the left hand and arm begins to swing down.

- Shoulders must be squared at impact for a powerful swing into and along the intended line of flight. Your left arm should be straight, and right arm almost straight.

4) Post impact, follow through with your stroke to complete a golf swing.

5) Like any other sport, you should warm up before a game of golf by stretching the muscles for optimal performance, and hence allow a full correct golf swing for power.

6) Use golf specific exercises for added strength and flexibility to your body muscles. At times, a poor golf swing can be attributed to muscle fatigue. A Correct golf swing requires endurance and adaptability of the body muscle over a long session of golf. With added strength and endurance, you will be ensuring correct golf swing techniques.

Without question, the more focus on the smaller fundamentals of a correct golf swing sequence will result in effortless power, and the more strokes shaved off a golf game.

For more information on unleashing a golf ball on a consistent basis with an effective golf swing sequence, visit this golfing website that offers helpful tips, advice and resources for golf enthusiast looking to shave off their handcap.

Ball Exercise Picture Yoga