They live throughout the subtropics and tropics. They are bottom dwellers, so contact with a diver is accidental.
Injury occurs from the spine and venom injected from the spine.
More severe reactions include numbness, tingling, weakness, paralysis, nausea, vomiting, joint aches, headaches, and cough. Repeat as necessary to control pain. Use tweezers to remove any spines in the wound. Symptoms may not go away until all spines have been removed. Scrub the wound with soap and water followed by extensive flushing with fresh water.