True enough, if the barb was still attached to the ray, it is likely the ray itself would have thrashed around enough in an attempt to escape, to cause massive/fatal damage. However, if it had broken off, leaving it in place was likely a better option. Doing so would require a strong self-controlled individual. The added issue of the toxin, which I understand is very painful, would have made the desire to remove the barb even more intense. We will likely never know the full story or what was going through Steve’s mind in those last few seconds/minutes of his life.

Pete