Coral - Dangerous If Touched
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One of the most common marine life injuries from scuba diving is scraping against coral. A coral head is composed of a hard (sometimes sharp) limestone support covered by thousands of tiny coral animals. A diver who contacts the reef may be cut by the sharp limestone or stung by coral polyps. Depending upon the species of coral, these injuries range from minor scratches to stinging welts. Of course, a diver can avoid coral injuries completely by maintaining good buoyancy and awareness to stay clear of the reef.
Not only is making contact with coral dangerous to divers, but it's also dangerous to coral. Even the gentlest touch of a diver's fin or hand may kill delicate coral polyps. A diver who touches the reef does more damage to the coral than the coral does to him or her.
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Stingrays - Not Dangerous
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A stingray's pointed and sharp stinger may frighten new divers. However, stingrays are anything but aggressive. Common stingray behavior includes the stingray burying itself in the sand for camouflaging and beating the sand with its wings and nose to look for food. Stingrays will occasionally swim calmly beneath divers. This is not threatening behavior but is a sign that the stingray is relaxed and unafraid.
When approached closely by divers, most stingrays either freeze in an attempt to remain invisible or flee the area. A stingray will only sting a diver as a last, desperate defense. Never trap, grab, or press on a stingray's back. Allow stingrays space and the opportunity to escape and they pose no threat.