Coral Scrapes

[Papa Bear]

An once of prevention as they say! I always carry gloves regardless of some stupid rule by some government wonk! Just hide them in a pocket until needed and don't make a big deal of it! I have learned it does no good to ask, better to be forgiven and warned! Some of us just don't learn! LOL Having said that as long as you have demonstrated to the DM you ability to stay off their coral they won't care, just don't flaunt them to the DM and the other divers by waving as you pass another boat! But with Fire Corals ability to grow on mooring lines as well as Hydroids it is better to have the gloves as a safety issue. The best thing to say if challenged is you have an allergy! Who's to say?

[BillGraham]

By the way, coral cuts are great for creating festering staph infections so if it doesn't get better, let a doctor check you out.

[Jon Shaw]

I've seen a 5c piece coral cut turn into a near amputation in three days! The guy got staph and we were in the arse end of PNG, luckily he kept the leg but it still looks a mess after two months. Get it looked at asap, get betadine on coral cuts as soon as they happen and keep a close eye on them.
There is actually a great cream that you can buy in some countries, it's called mercurichrome... works a treat but remember that it is basically mercury and chrome hence why it isn't sold in a lot of countries. I used it on bad coral cuts when surfing, best advice when diving, don't touch the coral! It funny when people say there is a current they have to hold on... rubbish you just have swim harder when your not on the bottom and if you can't do that abort the dive... don't rip off half the reef.

[acelockco]

I've seen a 5c piece coral cut turn into a near amputation in three days! The guy got staph and we were in the arse end of PNG, luckily he kept the leg but it still looks a mess after two months. Get it looked at asap, get betadine on coral cuts as soon as they happen and keep a close eye on them.
There is actually a great cream that you can buy in some countries, it's called mercurichrome... works a treat but remember that it is basically mercury and chrome hence why it isn't sold in a lot of countries. I used it on bad coral cuts when surfing, best advice when diving, don't touch the coral! It funny when people say there is a current they have to hold on... rubbish you just have swim harder when your not on the bottom and if you can't do that abort the dive... don't rip off half the reef.

Exactly, there is NO excuse!

As far as the mercurichrome, I have not seen that in a long time, but we did have it when I was a kid. It had a very strong red color to it that stained things and it was a liquid and not a cream. I also remembered it burned so badly when applied to a cut, so be ready for that. I suppose the reason I have not seen it in a long time is maybe they don't sell it in the US any longer???

[Jon Shaw]

The only places I have seen it are in Indonesia... I'm sure it aint good for you and yeah it does sting like hell.

[BillGraham]

The only places I have seen it are in Indonesia... I'm sure it aint good for you and yeah it does sting like hell.

Damn, I was always covered in that stuff as a kid. Maybe that's what happened to me . . .

[littleleemur]

I bought a packet of a gel film that you're supposed to stick on the affected area and then pull it off. It's supposed to catch the little barbed pieces without yanking on your skin, while the liquid in it is supposed to help with the pain and swelling.

Luckily haven't had to use it yet. So don't know how effective it really is.

I still carry the tried & true card & vinegar.