When stingrays attack: How not to get killed by a fish

Stingrays are getting a lot of bad press lately. This week, we ran a brief about a girl in Fresno whose fingers were sucked up by a ray in a zoo touch tank. Last week, we had one about a woman on a boat in Florida who was killed by an eagle ray that flew out of the water and hit her in the head causing massive head trauma. A couple of years ago, Steve Irwin's death by stingray was all over the news.

So just how much should you worry about being killed by a stingray? The consensus seems to be not very much, although no one really knows how deadly they are, because no one is keeping track.

Stings are common, especially in Southern California, where about 300 people a year are stung at Seal Beach alone. In fact, more people are stung by rays than by any other kind of fish, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Most often a swimmer is stung after accidentally stepping on one of the fish. But fatal damage seems to come from the barb rather than the poison, so try not to get stung in the heart or the carotid artery. If you're stung in the leg or the foot, which is where most victims get hit, you'll likely live.

Here's NOAA'S list of how not to get stung:

• Look, but do not touch or handle marine creatures.


• When walking in shallow water, shuffle your feet to alert creatures hiding on the sea floor to retreat before you step on them accidentally.


• Wear shoes and protective clothing to avoid and/or minimize getting stung or scratched.


• Be observant and look carefully where you are going.


• Skin divers, snorkelers and divers should maintain good buoyancy control at all times to avoid contact with reefs or the bottom.