Lifeguards Continue to Deal With Influx of Jellyfish

Lifeguards throughout the region have reported an increase in jellyfish this summer – and of course beachgoers have suffered through more stings as a result.

Those who patrol Coronado's beaches see the evidence first hand. They cleaned a large group of jellyfish off Central Beach Monday morning and treated three people who received stings, said lifeguard Jake Bender. 

That was hardly the worst case. Bender said stings have been almost a daily event this summer; lifeguards recently saw 20 victims in one day. 

“It was a lot worse about a month ago,” he said.

The type of jellyfish spotted in Coronado Monday is nicknamed the black jellyfish, which is rare, but is being spotted more and more locally.

Beachgoers can be stung while swimming or as they take a misstep when jellyfish wash ashore. Bender himself was a victim two weeks ago, “and it was really painful too,” he said.

(WebMD recommends a quick rinse in vinegar and a hydrocortisone cream to alleviate discomfort. Unless the victim has allergies though, the stings are not a serious threat.)

It's among the few downsides of enjoying Coronado and other local beaches.

“You just take a chance when you're in the water,” Bender said.