[COEXERJ145]

Pulling it out could have been what killed him.

When there is a penetrating wound, removing it except at a hospital is the worst thing anyone can do.

[LikeLight]

Tough call - these barbs are loaded with toxins - so do you pull it out and risk bleeding to death, or leave it in and let it pump deadly toxin into your heart? Either way, your natural instinct is going to rip it out, probably as good a strategy as any in this horrible dilemma. Probably fatal either way.

[srmorton]

I was thinking the same thing. Had he left it in, he might have lived long enough for them to get him to a hospital. From what I have read about the toxin, it is a necrotizing substance that would take a while to cause death. He would probably have died anyway, but maybe he could have lived long enough to say goodbye to his family. I have been thinking about his wife and children all day and what a shock it must be to find that your husband and father was gone without your ever having a chance to say goodbye. His death was probably the best way for him, but the hardest way for his family.

[garylmoore]

Pulling it out could have been what killed him.

Didn't matter, the poison from the tail would have probably killed him, very toxic.

[KingofQue]

It is attached to a Stingray and probably a very large Stingray. What is the option, capture and take a #1000 Stingray with an attached skin diver to the hospital? How do you do that?

[BigSkyFreeper]

Pulling it out could have been what killed him.

Yeah, pulling the barb out does more damage than when it penetrates into the skin, as it rips apart the soft tissue.

I've heard those barbs can cut into a 1/4 inch thick piece of plywood with ease.