First I want to clearly state that stingrays are not an aggressive species. Contact with a stingray usually occurs when people catch a stingray while fishing or step on one that has washed up on shore.  I know I sometimes cause alarm when I write these times of article. My goal is to educate on things not readily known by the public at large. 

Do stingrays have a sting? Not really. What they do have is a sharp, almost “medieval” dagger stinking out from their tale. The sticker is primarily a defensive weapon.

There are two main dangers when coming in contact with a ray.

• Soft tissue injuries cause when sticker is withdrawn from the wound.
• Infection from the “funk” that lives everyday on the ray’s tail.

What should you do if a stingray injures you?

• Do not panic. Get out of the water and hobble over to a beach blanket or back to the house.
• Place your foot in a pot of water that is as hot as you can stand. This should ease the pain and occasional local muscle spasms associated with this injury.
• Contact your doctor for follow up antibiotics and immunizations.

How can you protect your self?

• Wear an old shoe or aqua sock type of footwear.
• Watch where you walk.
• If you hook one while fishing and you do not know what to do, cut bait and let it go.