New Jersey Beachgoer Knowledge of Jellyfish Sting Treatment Methods: An Exploratory Freelisting Study

BackgroundAwareness of beach hazards is a critical component of beach safety. Barnegat Bay in Ocean County, New Jersey, is an estuarine system and tourist destination in the eastern United States that has experienced increased abundance of stinging jellyfish. This study aimed to describe current levels of knowledge that beachgoers in this area have with regard to jellyfish sting treatment methods.MethodsFreelisting interviews were conducted with a convenience sample of 51 adult beachgoers in July and August of 2025 at 3 bayside beaches. All participants were given the prompt, "List all the methods you know for treating a jellyfish sting." R Studio software and the AnthroTools package were used to calculate response frequencies, and Smith's saliency index was used for a ranked ordering of responses.ResultsSalient responses included vinegar and urine.ConclusionsAdult beachgoers in Barnegat Bay, New Jersey, are cognizant of only a few options for treating jellyfish stings and default to vinegar and urine as treatment modalities despite mixed and limited evidence favoring their use. Further research and education are needed to improve beachgoer knowledge and first aid decision making.