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While diving, it is important to be aware of the environment, your body placement and equipment in use. A lot of damage to coral reefs can be done unintentionally by hitting the corals or dragging equipment, spending a bit more time to become aware of your surroundings and also swimming with care and grace will reduce the opportunities for this. Coral is very fragile and can be damaged when knocked about, the coral is also very slow growing, so to hit accidentally, knocking bits off it takes time to grow again, causing long-term damage to corals.

At all times you should be aware of, consider and respect the aquatic life around you. Sea life can get extremely stressed when interfered with, you should avoid touching, feeding and handling creatures as this can disrupt the feeding and mating behaviours of these creatures. Many sea creatures do not pose as a threat to humans so ensure you do not cause stress to them.

It is recommended to avoid the collection of souvenirs, and other objects underwater. Areas may be very quickly destroyed because of the collection of corals and shells, etc. In popular destinations, it will lead to areas known for their beauty, to become very limited and damaged. If you appreciate the beauty of the underwater world, leave it that way for others to enjoy and take your camera diving and capture the beauty and respect the environment instead.

If you notice any damage or destruction while you dive, you must report it. This could be something from strange substances in water to seeing a shoal of injured/ deformed fish in the region. If you are unsure about whom to report it ,then please let a local dive centre know and they will contact the organization necessary for example, environmental officials and other Authorities. This could prevent further destruction, and even save many lives; even small changes are worth relaying to the necessary authorities.

You should always be a role model to fellow divers, if you appreciate the beauty of the oceans then you must also respect it and help keep it clean, if everyone did this then we will be able to see the beauty for many centuries to come. Being a role model is important as people will notice your good attitude and respect for the sea they should follow suit, especially divers as they can witness for themselves the damage already done.

For those that are interested in helping the environment and marine conservation check out Phi Phi Dive Camp, they have many projects currently running in order to protect the sea life and coral reef in Thailand. As well as conservation you can also look at Diving Phi Phi

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The Irukandji Jellyfish is really tiny but fatally venomous - it is just one cubic centimeter. It is found in the marine waters around Australia. The symptoms are known as the Irukandji Syndrome. There are two kinds of Irukandji Jellyfish - Malo Kingi and Carukia Barnesi. Hugo Flecker first documented the symptoms of the Irukandji Syndrome in 1952 - named after the Irukandji folk who inhabited the coastal strip tat lies north of Cairns in Queensland. Carukia Barnesi was the first species to be identified by Dr. Jack Barnes in 1964. Dr. Barnes, wanting to prove that this jellyfish had caused these symptoms, got himself to be stung by it, along with his son and a life guard.

The Irukandji Jellyfish has four tentacles that can range from a few centimeters in length to around 35 centimeters. The stingers are grouped in clumps and look like rings made up of small red dots around the bell of the jellyfish, and also along the tentacles. Since the Irukandji Jellyfish is too tiny and fragile to handle and contain, very little research has been done. However, it is known that its venom is a hundred times more potent than that of a cobra, and a thousand times as much as that of a tarantula. What ever research has been done, has confirmed that the potency of its venom allows it to stun its prey (like fast and small fish) very fast.

The Irukandji is cover in millions of microscopic singers, responsible for the venom release. To understand how these stingers work, you can imagine a long inside out sock, coiled along the lines of a spring. Someone unlucky enough to come in contact with the Jellyfish by touch will cause an uncoiling of the spring latching the stingers into the skin like barbs. When the victim pulls away the stingers are ripped from the Jellyfish’s body and remain embedded in the victim. The Irukandji has the unique ability to ‘fire’ the stingers from it’s tips and inject the venom, a unique phenomenon.

Burning on the area of contact, drop in blood pressure and heart rate, sweating, severe and intensely pain muscle cramps in the arms, legs, back and kidneys are some of the Symptoms of Irukandji Syndrome, a very painful and unpleasant experience. Ocean explorers beware, the Irukandji Jellyfish!

An individual recently stung by the Irukandji will notice symptoms within 4 - 30 hours which may take up to 2 weeks to completely be resolved. Pain management is the only treatment for the Irukandji sting as there is no known anti-venom. Patients have been known to experience pain so intensely that they beg the doctor for death. The best way to avoid the sting is to avoid the Jellyfish. Be mindful of the conditions, seasons and areas you are swimming or diving. Divers beware, the Irukandji Jellyfish!

Want to learn more about the Irukandji Jellyfish, including how to deal with a Jellyfish Sting? Check out JellyfishFacts.Net for all you need to know about Jellyfish.

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