From JANE GIFFOULD
The problem with using vinegar, Coke or old wine on a jellyfish sting, as in
‘Stings go better with Coke’ (New Scientist, Science, 10 July) is that one
does not always have the articles to hand when meeting the jellyfish. This
was pointed out to me by the students in my First Aid classes in Papua, New
Guinea – the nearest chippy or wine bar may be a long way through the
jungle.
They assured me that their traditional method of dealing with jellyfish
stings was very effective and used an easily obtainable acidic fluid –
urine. One just has to remember to go to the loo after swimming rather than
before.
Jane Giffould Halstead, Essex
