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.

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Improve Your Golf Short Game

One of the most important areas of your golf is to constantly Improve Your golf Short Game. When you consider that 80% of your shots are taken withing 150 yard of the pin, you begin to realize how important it is to always work on improving your golf short game.

The key to improving your short game is to try and stay relaxed. this should not be too difficult since you have just done the hard part - teed off - probably in front of a small audience! Now all you have to do is get the ball to the pin without making any horrifying mistakes.

The also need to be comfortable with your short irons. Consider going to the driving range with only your 5, 7 and 9 irons. Work through each club and find out exactly what sort of distance and height you get when you are hitting them correctly.

Another good idea is to only play with these 3 clubs for your short irons (not including your wedges) until it becomes second nature as to which one you select for different situations. this way, you will not be confusing yourself with too much choice.

Another important aspect of improving your golf short game is to get comfortable with your wedges around the green. Many shots can be wasted by hitting the top of the ball with your pitching wedge and sending it into the rough on the far side of the green. this is very frustrating and can cost you many shots on your score.

Make plenty of time to practice with your pitching wedge at the practice green. The key here is to first create 1 set up that you can can use to always guarantee that you get onto the green. Once you are comfortable with this and have used it successfully on a few rounds, mix it up a bit and create 2 or 3 other set ups for different distances and lies.

The key to using your wedges around the green is to not get smart too quickly. These are critical shots and carry a hefty price if they are carelessly executed.

Finally, lets not forget the dreaded bunker shots. bunker shots are fact of life in your short game. You need to practice these and find the club that suits you best for taking shots in the sand. Always remember that bunker shots are just another shot and don't really need to be feared.

With time and practice, you will see your short game improve. this improvement will dramatically improve your score too.

Find out more about Improving Your Short Game and How To Get Out Of A Bunker, and follow our tips on how to get good with your short irons.

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Reasons to Install a Hidden Home Security Camera

one of the biggest issues that we face in today's society is ensuring that our family and property are safe and sound at all times. Vandalism and burglary are sadly on the increase and and with it are the attempts of trying to make are homes safer to live in.

security Systems

There are numerous security systems that are available today on the open market that gives the users everything that's needed in order to be safe, from hidden home security camera systems to monitor devices. We will explore some of the options available to us and see how a hidden system can benefit you.

A hidden home security camera system has the ability to function in many different ways for your safety and benefit; for instance, if you make the choice to put it in the children's room in order to ensure they are safe and to monitor them, a hidden home security camera system will be the best option due to the fact that your children may be tempted to play with the device if it is visible.

Another good example where a hidden home security camera system would serve a good purpose is in the event that a thief is aware of it and makes the decision to vandalize it in order to not be detected and break into the house with ease. If the cameras are hidden from view you will be able to have full-time surveillance with ease with no fear that someone can access it and interrupt your visual confirmation that there may be a thief.

Other security systems include wired and wireless home security cameras in addition to monitor home security, which is the most pervasive choice today. Having a monitored security system helps ensure that assistance will be on the way immediately if an alarm is triggered and you don't have to be concerned in the event you are away from your home or out of town as the authorities will keep a watch on your goods and property.

Helpful Advice

In order to make an informed decision for which system suits you and your property best it is a good idea to consider all the options that are available to you, in that way View can make a decision much easier where you would like to have a hidden home security camera and how to place it in such a way that it is not visible to any would-be thief's.

If a thief at various times observes obvious devices that a security system is in place it may have the effect of intimidating them and they may choose to leave your home alone; because in the end no one wants to get caught breaking the law and have to face penalties. Besides the thought goes through the mind of the would-be thief that there are many other properties that may not have a security system at all.

With the safety of your family and home it is a wise decision to install a hidden home security camera system as soon as possible as it will give you the safety and peace of mind that you will enjoy when you're away on vacation knowing that your home is always protected and watched.

Korbin Newlyn is an expert in the field of home security. If you would like to learn more go to Home Security Systems and at Wireless Home Security Systems

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