Welcome to the Portuguese Man-of-War
Real stories. Real people. Real encounters.
On August 23, 2001, Mark Leavitt staggered out of the ocean at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and landed in the emergency room after a venomous Portuguese man-of-war wrapped a long tentacle around his shoulders, back and arms ...
Kenneth Gerken is vacationing in Key West, FL on Friday the 13th, 2004. While floating in the water, suddenly he feels electrocuted and then extreme pain caused by severe stings from a Portuguese man-of-war and ends up in the emergency room ...
Elizabeth Kobe is swimming in Punta Cana enjoying her vacation until a Portuguese man-of-war unleased powerful stings to her abdomen. Delayed treatment caused serious complications from neurological problems to spinal paralysis ...
It's not a jellyfish, it's not a fish, it's not a shark and it's not a battleship. It can float above or under the water, lives in all ocean waters and a serious sting that will blow your mind !
Before you dip one toe in the water, learn some basics while swimming in the ocean. All oceans waters are home to the Portuguese man-of-war and many other sea creatures; some good and some bad. And, don't forget your suntan lotion !
I visited the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey CA in 2009 and came across these gorgeous Pacific Sea Nettles jellyfish. They sting too, but not as bad as the Portuguese man-of-war. In most cases, you can walk it off.
