Corpusfishing.com

RPool · Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2017 11:57 am Post subject: An essential item if you wade

Well, I've dodged the bullet my whole life but yesterday, in a moment of not paying attention how I walked, I got hit on the top of my foot by a ray. All I will say is the instant sensation and pain makes it no doubt what just happened. But one thing I've always carried with me is a package of chemically activated hand warmers, like skiers and hunters use in the cold. Also, I have a roll of Coban gauze (or an Ace bandage will do) to hold the warmer in place. Trust me - it saved my bacon. The pain stabilized quickly. I changed it out after about an hour and the minute I took the packet off the wound, the pain returned but again went away with the new packet. Lucky it wasn't a real deep wound - maybe went in an inch, but it was enough. Pretty cheap first aid - I urge you to add this to your wading pack.

ironmanstan · Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2017 12:13 pm Post subject:

dang sorry that happened to you. Great advice for folks. Hope it gets well soon.
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shallowsport · Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2017 12:25 pm Post subject:

Sorry for your misfortune, but, appreciate your solid information.
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SeanHHH · Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2017 2:11 pm Post subject:

Dang Doc, that is brutal. Glad you were well prepared.

How is the wound now? All cleaned up and on the road to recovery?

And the big question, did you catch any fish?

ironmanstan · Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2017 2:43 pm Post subject:

maxthelab · Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2017 4:37 pm Post subject:

Yep, when the Mrs. got nailed, I took her back to Pioneer and started the fish fryer, heating water. Then thought I can take her to hot tub, went about 30 ft. and she's saying, go back, go back. And she is one tough old country girl, so I knew it was bad. After 3-4 hrs. of heating water on the fish fryer, she finally had relief. As an aside she was right back in the surf the next day.

Tyler · Site Admin Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 12865

Ouch sorry to hear that Rusty! Great advice on the warmers.
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ziacatcher · Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2017 5:55 pm Post subject:

Hope I never have to experience your pain. Glad you're feeling better

GulfCoastGal · Joined: 31 Jul 2017 Posts: 3 Location: Arnasas Pass

Predapex · Horse Mullet Joined: 06 Sep 2013 Posts: 181

RPool · Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2017 8:35 pm Post subject:

To Gulfcoastgal - I always keep the moving foot in contact with the bottom, just didn't this time. I was close to the boat, was feeding out fly line, picking the path of my wade with other fishermen and just was not paying attention. The water was shallow and clear - never saw the ray and it may have been buried in the sand. So, always - shuffle, shuffle, shuffle. I was fishing with guides Scott Sparrow and Rick Hartman; Scott has been hit three times, Rick once. It happens - just took 40 years for me. And Sean, the fishing was just so-so with south winds at 35 knots - tough to land the fly. Only caught one.

Bloodhound · Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2017 9:37 pm Post subject:

RPool, were the hot packs your only treatment?
I would expect that a 1 inch puncture wound from a nasty barb would require antibiotics. An inch is very deep in my opinion - especially on a foot.
A current tetanus vaccine (within 5 years) would no doubt be advised.
If you were able to get away with only heat, that is great news.
You were in the bay, I take it? If so, vibrio would be an additional concern if the water is very warm.

And maxthelab, did your wife heal with only the hot water treatment?

Thank you both for answering.

RPool · Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2017 8:49 am Post subject:

Bloodhound - I'm up to date on tetanus. The wound was very clean and bled out a bit. Had I been in Corpus or north, I would definitely given Dr. Worrell some business immediately. This happened way south of Mansfield and fortunately, they have had no incidences of Vibrio in some time. I monitored the wound for the first 24 hours - no evidence of necrosis or infection. And yes, should have jumped on a course of Doxycycline or another appropriate antibiotic. Medical help is definitely the prudent thing to do. Just lucky this time.

BayFly · Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2017 11:21 am Post subject:

I think it was in Mansfield area where "McTrout" was stuck and almost lost his foot to vibrio, if I recall correctly. At least he guided in the Mansfield area at the time, but soon retired permanently, and possibly due to his experience. That being said, consider yourself lucky, and I'm glad you are doing well.

landlocked beachbum · Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2017 1:33 pm Post subject:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/tarahaelle/2016/03/23/got-your-tetanus-shot-you-may-not-need-another-for-30-more-years/#31232eba6db3
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"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has it's limits". Albert Einstein