What is the first step in treating a marine animal bite?

The first step in treating a marine animal bite is to wipe off the stinger or tentacle. This is crucial because many marine creatures, such as jellyfish or certain types of fish, can inject venom through stingers or spines that remain attached to the skin after a sting or bite. By removing these stingers or tentacles promptly, you lessen the risk of further envenomation, which can lead to more severe reactions. After removing the foreign materials, further treatments can be administered, but the initial step focuses on minimizing the immediate danger.

While applying ice can be beneficial for pain relief, doing so without first removing any stingers may trap them in the skin. Wrapping the area with a bandage might hinder proper assessment and treatment of the bite, and topical antibiotics are typically used for preventing infections after wounds are cleaned, rather than addressing the immediate effects of a marine animal's sting or bite. Therefore, the priority is securing the area from additional venom exposure by removing all hazardous materials first.