sea lice season?

[scubagirlj]

am leaving sun for ft laud and was just told by a friend who used to live and dive there that sea lice season is on the full moon(22nd)-never encountered this before-what to expect or is she just kidding?

[chilly willy]

Plagerized from beachhunter.net:

Sea Lice (Thimble Jellyfish larvae)

Sea Lice is also known as Sea Bather's Eruption (Pica-Pica)
Sea lice generally occur on the lower Atlantic coast of Florida from March through August, with the highest incidence in May and June. I have not heard of them being a problem on the Gulf coast at all. Sea lice create an itchy red rash on areas of the body covered by a bathing suit. But, sea lice are really not lice at all. They are the larvae of the Thimble Jellyfish. The nearly microscopic larvae become trapped between the bathing suit fabric and the skin. The resulting friction activates the larvae’s stinging mechanism. The stinging mechanisms are called nematocysts, like those of a jellyfish.
Symptoms of Sea Lice (Jellyfish larvae )Stings

* On first exposure, while still in the water, a bather may experience a tingling sensation on areas of the body covered by swimwear. Hairy underarms and hairy chests are also affected.
* During the next few hours an itchy red rash develops. The itch can last for several weeks. The rash is the body's reaction to the jellyfish venom, or toxin injected by the nematocysts.
* Some people may develop a fever or feel unwell and tired. Children are more likely to develop systemic effects like fever, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
Treatment of Sea Lice (Jellyfish larvae) Stings

After showering, applying diluted vinegar or rubbing alcohol to the skin may help neutralize any remaining toxin from the stinging nematocysts. Hydrocortisone lotion or cream and antihistamines may also help.

Prevention of Sea Lice (Jellyfish larvae )Stings

* The best prevention is to avoid going swimming along the lower southeast coast of Florida during the early summer months, particularly May and June.
* Pay attention to signs posted on the lifeguard towers warning of sea lice in the water.
*Wear as little clothing as possible while swimming in water that may have sea lice.

Hope this helps. I've been here since Saturday with no problems.

[Desert_Diver]

Originally Posted by scubagirlj

am leaving sun for ft laud and was just told by a friend who used to live and dive there that sea lice season is on the full moon(22nd)-never encountered this before-what to expect or is she just kidding?

I have never dove Ft Lauderdale, but they have sea lice in the Caymans. The only time we had a problem was with night dives off the Nekton Rorqual liveaboard. The dive deck is well lighted. This attracts the sea lice.

Suggestions:

1. Do not do your water entry from the dive deck. Go forward and use some of the side gates. It's a longer drop but there isn't much consequence.

2. Leave you dive light off while you are entering the water. Don't turn it on until you are underwater and descending.

3. One guy covered his head with a large plastic bag while entering the water. Underwater he put the bag in pocket. When we were ready to exit the water, he put it back over his head. (He got stung anyway).

4. Turn you dive lights off before you start up to do you safety stop. Leave them off during the safety stop and the exit.

5. As you coming up from your safety stop, have your octo out and purge it above your head in a circular fashion. It tends to move the sea lice away from your sufacing point.

6. Keep some first aid treatment for sea lice handy just in case.

Dive safe. Have fun.

Art

PS Just for fun, find some brain coral. Move back a little and shine your light on the brain coral. The light will attract the sea lice. The brain coral will eat the sea lice.

[jet126]

Haven't heard any reports of sea lice this season. My dive buddy is an instructor in the water practically every day. If there were lice he would know. I'm going out tomorrow morning. I'll let you know if there's anything to worry about.

[Diver Kat]

I'm heading out next week and have a sever aversion to the little buggers! They bite the crap out of me and the scars last for months!! So far I haven't heard much about them showing up this year in FL, but I'm bringing a full skin just in case!

[scubagirlj]

oh, i'm diving fullsuit, not taking any chances and won't be doing night dives(darn, non availabe the three days i have to dive)-glad to hear from the locals that it isn't a problem, yet-i'm a scubaholic and its been 78 days since my last dive....... oh, wrong thread

[Splitlip]

Originally Posted by jet126

Haven't heard any reports of sea lice this season. My dive buddy is an instructor in the water practically every day. If there were lice he would know. I'm going out tomorrow morning. I'll let you know if there's anything to worry about.

Ditto.

"Traditionally" the season runs from "Mothers's Day to Father's Day". They flourish in a particular window of water temps. Can't be too cool or too warm.
Just plan on wearing a wetsuit or skin over your bathing suit as they usually need to be trapped against the skin to be a nuisance. This is why people who wear a t-shirt to protect themselves from sealice are shooting themselves in the foot.

I always wear a full suit, year round. Worst I ever experienced was a couple bumps at my collar.

Surfing, I have worn a rash guard without tying it to my board shorts. I ended up with a tramp stamp at the small of my back and what looked like a sunburst tatoo around my naval.

[jet126]

I would recommend a full suit, lice or not. I'm still diving in a 3 mm full and get cold, especially towards the end of dive #2.

As far as night dives, I was out until 10pm three weeks ago (inside the Mothers Day-Fathers Day window) and no lice. Lots of incredibly amazing sea baskets and octopus and bioluminesence and ...

(Just check with the dive op when you get here).

[jet126]

Just got back from a day on the water. I talked to the DM and also my dive buddy (who is in or around the water every day). No news on sea lice, or any jellyfish for that matter.

The water temp was 80 on the bottom, I was wearing my full 3mm and was cold by the end of the first dive (45 minutes). We saw a ton of lobsters, eels of all kinds, a nurse shark chasing a hog fish plus the usual cast of characters.

Mild current and decent viz on the first dive (60 ft). The current picked up and viz dropped by around noon.

I'm going to be brave and post a couple pics so you can see what to expect. Don't get too excited: I'm still learning to use an UW camera.

Enjoy your visit and come back to see us soon.

[scubagirlj]

As I said in other thread this will be first dive with real UW camera so I can relate-Thanx for update-Glad there seems to be no cause for alarm-did a trip there back in March and that is why I am returning on Sunday, had a great bunch of dives with a great DM