Stingrays (dasyatidae) are a cartilaginous marine fish related to skates and sharks. They inhabit the warm waters in tropical coastal areas around the world. Some are the length of the human hand. Others can be 6 feet in diameter and 14 feet long including its tail. There is even a fresh water species that lives in Asia, Africa, Florida, and South America.

Generally a mild timid fish, Stingrays have a razor sharp barbed or serrated tip on their tails. The barb tip, which is about 15 inches long, is used in defense and has venom that destroys cells and the neurotransmitter serotonin.

Rays like to lie on the sandy bottom and blend in with the surroundings. Hence, most human injuries (foot or leg) are acquired while wadding in shallow water and stepping on their backs or tail barbs. By shuffling/sliding your feet as you walk the rays will generally move out of the way.

The injuries sustained are almost never fatal. They should be cleaned with hot water and any barb fragments removed. Severe injuries could involve stitches or other medical attention. Any hot liquid, including urine, may supply relief from the pain. The first hour is the worst for pain and it should subside progressively thereafter. The injured person may have fever and chills accompanied by headaches. However, depending on the injury location, the wound can be fatal. This was the case with wildlife expert Steve Irwin, who died when a Stingray barb severed his artery in 2006.

You can scuba dive with rays in most tropical resort areas around the world. In the Caribbean, the Grand Cayman Island has Stingray City where you can dive for 60 minutes with the rays. Cozumel, Mexico, Belize, Jamaica, Barbados, Blue Hole, Lighthouse Reef, Cocos Island, Costa Rica and Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic are just a few of the great places to dive with the Stingrays.