[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.

[DCPatriot]

I understand the toxin is very hard on human tissue and that rapid decay commences.

[Asfarastheeastisfromthewest...]

When a stingray strikes, it doesn't necessary 'break' off a section of its spiked tail, does it? Is it possible the stingray itself yanked it out after it struck? Or perhaps Steve reflexively grabbed at it when it hit and who knows exactly what happened then. What I thought when I first heard the story is that the others in his party must have been very close by in order to have reacted quickly simply to keep him from drowning. Not that any of this is important because the great Steve is sadly gone.

[kcvl]

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.

Dr. Michael Boden (forensic pathologist) said that by Steve pulling the barb out he probably bled to death. He also said that it was just normal instinct to pull something like the barb out when he was struck. He said that he could probably have survived the toxins. That most likely the sac around the heart filled up with blood and his heart didn't have room to beat.

It is so sad especially for his family. He will truly be missed.

[Tallguy]

Yeah, tough choice. One thing, however: the stingrays barb is 'coated' with slimey proteins which are the neuro-toxins. No pumping necessary -- it's like a poison arrow.