Bretman Rock gets stung by stingray during recent Palawan trip
Bretman Rock's recent Palawan trip is so far consisting of a picturesque beach, fun activities, and one unfortunate event.
“Da Baddest” announced on his Instagram that he is back again in the country, sharing his glamorous shots in a resort in the island.
“It’s always gonna be more fun in the Philippines,” he wrote.
Shortly after, he updated his followers on what he happened so far during the trip, including being stung by a stingray.
“Bretman f---ing Rockwell,” he wrote in the caption. “His day consisted of, driving the boat, snorkeling, and getting stung by a sting ray, paddle boarding, and kayaking.”
In the comments section of his post, the Filipino-American social media personality detailed how he was able to treat it with the help of the locals.
“I [honestly] thought I stepped on something sharp at first but I knew I had to get out the water when I started to feel throbbing up to my head,” he said, in response to his follower who asked how it felt like.
“When I got out, I had 2 stings and that’s how the locals knew it was a sting ray, I put ice and it helped a lot but on the boat ride back I ran out of ice and I was legit rethinking my life,” he recalled. “Then they put plant medicine and then boom she’s healed.”
A social media user commented on how Bretman “almost pulled a Steve [Irwin]” —a notable zookeeper, television personality, and wildlife educator who passed away after being injured by a stingray while filming a documentary dubbed Great Barrier Reef in 2006.
“Girl, on that boat ride back I was really thinking I’m next,” Bretman replied.
What to do when you get stung by a stingray?
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, Stingray venom can be inactivated by heat. In case you get stung, it is best to do a hot water immersion as soon as possible at a temperature safe enough that it will not leave a burn your skin.
Standard wound care techniques should also be applied, such as irrigating the wound to clean and remove any foreign objects and/or necrotic tissues.
Minor stingray injuries mostly heal after one or two days, but it is important to monitor any signs of infection days after discharge.
Bretman visited the Philippines in March for the launch of his book, You’re That Bitch & Other Cute Lessons About Being Unapologetically Yourself—an essay collection about his "funny and inspiring celebration of self, identity, queerness, and his Filipino heritage."
