Update: As of August 2016 the beaches are jellyfish free.
It happens every year – just as the kids break up from school and we all want to enjoy the beach – our seas become full of Jellyfish!
Jellyfish on the beach by Uri Magnus: http://polmagnus.com
Don’t let it totally put you off though! I would recommend as always, to bathe at beaches with a lifeguard, who also would know first aid if needed and be able to help if someone gets stung.
What should you do if someone is stung?
According to the ‘Meduzot‘ (jellyfish) website, if you do get stung, first clean the area with SEA WATER, not with drinking water. Remove any tentacles very carefully, and avoid getting sand on it. The lifeguards will have household vinegar which they will put on the sting and it will help relieve it. As it is acid that breaks down the poison, if you don’t have vinegar, lemon juice can also help but do not rub the area. Contrary to common myths, human urine does not sufficiently help and if you have no vinegar then washing in sea water is the next best thing. If there are any serious symptoms go to hospital. The Rambam National Poison Center number is 04-8542725.
So where are the Jelly fish?
Use this link for up to date information about the jellyfish situation on the beaches. If you can’t understand the more detailed reports on the right hand side, just take a glance at the map, and here are the translations of what the pictures on the map mean:
The Jelly Fish Map key:
