Better watch out in OZ!

[pacmania_2001]

Is it really that dangerous to swim there?

Like Jim said, you accept it and deal with it.

We have great lifesavers (lifeguards) over here which post warnings about things like rips and blue bottles so you're aware of the dangers. If you live anywhere near the coast chances are that you've been taught all about the dangers and how to minimise risk.

With blue bottles you just keep an eye out for large bubbles floating on the waters surface. It's only on bad days (really windy) that you have a problem with them though. With the other species I mentioned they only occur in the more tropical waters of North Queensland and if you go diving or snorkelling on the reef the tour operator generally will put you in a place where they aren't prevelent.

[pacmania_2001]

You aussies have way more than your share of antisocial creatures

Yeah, that pacmania_2001 is an animal ... or ... so ... I've ... heard ...

I'm a tiger... grrr.

You aussies have way more than your share of antisocial creatures

They're called tourists and old men who think that DT's are fashionable.

Just realised you probably wouldn't know what DT's are. DT's = Dick Togs = Speedos.

[ViRaL1]

This is what ours look like.



SCARY!!!

[bigmicka]

DT's otherwise known as budgie smugllers.

Chirs have they taken of the warning on the white tail spider? i thought they liked invading peoples wardrobes and chest of drawers, always fun when trying to put your clothes on.

mic

[hech54]

I learned one thing during my 3 weeks in Oz...Aussies for the most part are not wimps...
Women speak their mind and occasionally even burp outloud. I found the men a bit more reserved than the women...but still more "hardy" than the average American male....quiet but tough....not the "motormouths" that are the stereotype (Steve Irwin) to Americans....

[vitualis]

The scariest creature in Oz I think is the irukanji jellyfish.

It's only about 2 cm long and you probably won't even feel the sting. But within 30 or so minutes, you will be so incapacitated with pain that chances are you may well drown if you're still in the water.

Older people may suffer a heart attack or stroke.

There is no antivenom.



Regards.

[Guest]

The box jellyfish sounds worse to me.Killing within minutes.

[vitualis]

The box jellyfish rarely kills. The sting hurts right away so that you know you've been stung. There are common preparations to help take away the sting. You very rarely die from a box jellyfish sting.

Box jellyfish stings are very common. Most people don't even go to hospital.

Regards.

[ViRaL1]

How does it compare to a Portugese Man-o-war?