A man films the terrifying moment he is stung by the world’s most venomous creature, known for its ability to kill within minutes.
In a daring experiment, adventurer George Kourounis decided to test the sting of the box jellyfish, known as one of the most venomous creatures on Earth.
This jellyfish can cause severe harm and even death in just a few minutes.
Kourounis, known for his adventurous stunts, recorded the moment he got stung for his YouTube channel.
Who is George Kourounis?
George Kourounis is a Quebec-born explorer and television personality.
At 54 years old, he has traveled the world documenting natural disasters and extreme weather events.
He takes on risky challenges, including exploring the Darvaza gas crater in Turkmenistan, often referred to as “the door to hell.”
Kourounis is not new to danger, but getting stung by a jellyfish is a different type of risk.
Why did he decide to get stung by Earth’s most venomous creature?
Kourounis wanted to understand how the venom from a box jellyfish affects the human body.
He conducted his experiment on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, where people commonly find these jellyfish.
With the help of Ben Cropp, an underwater filmmaker and expert on jellyfish, Kourounis aimed to learn more about potential remedies for box jellyfish stings.
Man films himself being stung by the world’s most venomous creature to see how well he can cope
In a video posted on his YouTube channel, Kourounis prepared for the sting.
He explained that box jellyfish are nearly invisible in the water, making them hard to spot.
“This highly venomous and nearly invisible predator is the scourge of Australian beaches, stinging scores of swimmers over the years.”
They can deliver a powerful sting with their long tentacles, which can grow up to 10 feet.
These tentacles contain thousands of stinging cells filled with venom that can attack the heart and nervous system.
Before the sting, Kourounis and Cropp managed to catch a box jellyfish.
Although the jellyfish had lost some of its tentacles, it still posed a significant threat.
Kourounis described the jellyfish as a “translucent blob of goo” but warned viewers that it was much more dangerous than it appeared.
“Their venom is more powerful than anything.”
The sting of most venomous creature on Earth
As Kourounis prepared for the sting, he placed the jellyfish’s tentacles against his bare arm.
Cropp explained how the venom would travel just under the skin and start to affect Kourounis almost immediately.
“The poison then travels just under the skin and slowly works its way up to you.”
“But the initial pain – people go into shock and sometimes just don’t come out of it.”
Within seconds of the sting, Kourounis experienced a burning sensation and felt intense pain.
He reported that the sting felt like it was building up, causing him to complain about the discomfort.
To alleviate the pain, Kourounis used an uncertified antidote suggested by Cropp. However, it did not seem very effective.
They then used vinegar, which is commonly recommended for treating jellyfish stings.
Kourounis mentioned that the area around the sting started to swell, and bumps began to form on his skin.
He survives the dangerous experiment
Despite the pain, Kourounis appeared to cope reasonably well after the sting.
He emphasized how dangerous box jellyfish are, stating, “It hurts like hell.”
He acknowledged that the experience was not one he would want to repeat anytime soon.
Kourounis then added: “Box jellyfish, one of the most dangerous creatures on the planet. Hurts like hell. I don’t think I’ll try that again anytime soon.”
Experts warn jellyfish stings can be severe.
Experts warn that the severity of a jellyfish sting can vary based on several factors, including the amount of tentacle contact with the skin and the potency of the venom.
In severe cases, a sting can lead to cardiovascular collapse and death within 20 to 30 minutes.
If someone is stung, they must immediately exit the water and seek medical help.