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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Golf Ball Comparison For The Average Golfer

golf, like most sport, is a game of precision and accuracy. In order to score a hole in one, you need the utmost concentration, and physical and mental strength. Furthermore, you need to match your skills and experience with your golfing accessories and equipment, particularly the golf ball.

For non-golf aficionados, one golf ball is the same as other golf balls. The only major difference such people may see between one ball from another is the manufacturer or brand name. In the eye of a golfer lover, however, golf balls differ in more ways than one.

If you want to improve your game, you need to pay attention to the type, covering material, core structure, and compression rates of a ball. You must bear in mind that your swing and level of play should be matched with the golf ball you use. Thus, you can't expect to be like tiger Woods simply by buying and using the same golf accessories, shoes, and balls that he uses.

Here are basic golf ball comparisons you need to know to help improve your golf games:

Common golf Ball Types

Two-piece

If you are just starting to play golf, you most probably need to consider using the two-piece golf ball. This type of ball, aside from being the cheapest type available in the market, is aimed at providing great distance. If your swing is slow, the big rubber core of the ball helps in transferring the energy from the swing to the ball efficiently, thereby providing you with good distance.

If you are a neophyte in the game, you need to concentrate on your accuracy. Hence, you need a ball that will boost your distance, enabling you to concentrate more on building your accuracy. Once you have mastered consistency, then you need to try the other types of golf ball.

Three-piece

The three-piece ball is ideal for advanced players, who have pretty much mastered control, partly because a person wouldn't want to spend too much for a golf ball that will brandish his or her hit-and-miss swings. Such a ball, which is preferred by pro players, is composed of a core, which can be solid or made up of liquid or gel, a layer of wounded thread, and a plastic covering.

Materials used as golf ball coverings

Although there maybe other kinds of golf ball covering, the two most popular are the surlyn and balata.

Balata

Balata golf balls, which are usually three-piece balls, are made of soft covering. professional golfers prefer such balls because they not only cuts and scuffs easily, but they are also easier to control. Furthermore, balata balls give more spin. However, these balls have shorter life span and are more expensive.

Surlyn

Surlyn balls are more apt for amateur gofers because they are cheaper. Most two-piece golf balls are made of surlyn, a hard material, thus it is more resistant to cuts and scuffs and provide more distance. Aside from being more inexpensive, such balls are also long lasting. However, it is harder to control and does not provide ample spin.

Compression rate

Traditionally, the tightness of the golf ball's thread windings determines its compression rate. Due to recent technological advancement, however, the compression rate of a golf ball is now basically dependent on how the ball is affected when it is hit. The compression rating of golf balls usually range from 70-110.

Low compression balls

Balls with compression rating of 70-80 are considered low compression balls. Such balls are soft and are easily deformed or compressed when hit. players with slow swings are encouraged to use such ball.

Medium compression balls

Most advanced golfers prefer balls with a compression rate of 90. These medium compression balls provide both softness and ease of control.

high compression balls

Golf balls with 100-110 compression rating are high compression balls. Such balls are hard and are less likely to deform upon impact, compared to those with lower compression rates. A high compression ball is ideal for those whose club head speeds are high.

Be keen in knowing how the type of ball or its compression rates affect your performance. Keep in mind that the knowledge of golf ball comparisons is handy in enhancing your strengths and masking your weaknesses in the golf course.

Lee Dobbins writes for http://www.sports-wise.com where you can learn more about your favorite sports as well as read more great articles on golf.

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