BBC News | SCOTLAND | Jellyfish stings diver

A diver was airlifted to safety after he became seriously ill when he was stung on the face by a jellyfish.

Brian Watson, an experienced diver from Leeds, was resurfacing on Saturday when the creature swam into his face and stung him around the neck and mouth.

Colleagues helped him back on board the dive boat the Rachael Claire and coastguards were alerted to the incident near Ailsa Craig in the Firth of Clyde.

It was feared Mr Watson may also have been suffering from decompression sickness and a Royal Navy Sea King helicopter was scrambled from Prestwick.

This is the first time we can recall when jellyfish have created a serious accident to a diver

Clyde Coastguard Dave Thompson
Mr Watson was airlifted to the island of Cumbrae for treatment in a hyperbaric chamber.

His condition was assessed at the centre and jellyfish stings were found inside his mouth.

However, he did not need recompression therapy and was transferred to hospital on the mainland to be treated for his reaction to the jellyfish venom.

Mr Watson, who is thought to be in his 50s, was taken to the Inverclyde Royal Infirmary in Greenock and was released later that evening.

Clyde Coastguard Dave Thompson said: "This is the first time we can recall when jellyfish have created a serious accident to a diver.

"Fortunately, the dive supervisor alerted us early and we were able to connect him directly to a doctor to receive medical advice."


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