Bites/StingsYr 10 HPE

Lesson Overview

Venomous bites and stings

Snakebites

Spider bites

Insect stings

Allergic reaction to a sting

Animal bites

Marine bites and stings

Venomous bites and stings

Animal bites and stings ->painful and some are potentially lethal

Occur frequently in the garden, at the beach, at home

Deadly bites=

-taipan

- brown snake

- tiger snake

- Funnel web spider

- Red back spider

- Blue-ringed octopus

Venomous bites and stings continued

Deadly stings=

-Cone shells

-Box jellyfish

Some stings can produce a potentially fatal reaction . . . Anaphylaxis

i.e. bee stings, wasps, ticks

Management techniques for specific bites and stings

Four main first aid techniques

-pressure immobilisation

-cold compress (icepack)

-vinegar

-hot water

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgY2Gts3P7E

Pressure Immobilisation

Cold Compress

Vinegar Hot water

snake bee Jelly fish from tropical areas

Stonefish

Funnel-web spider

European wasp Bullrout

Mouse spider Ant Stingray

Blue-ringed octopus

Non-tropical minor jellyfish

Catfish

Cone shell Crown-of-thorns starfish

Allergic reaction to any bite or sting

Bluebottle

Snakebite

Not a common occurrence in Australia

About 100 species of snakes in Australia

-20 of which are highly dangerous to humans

All snakebites should be considered as life-threatening

Signs and Symptoms

Puncture marks or scratches

Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea

Headache

Double or blurred vision

Drooping eyelids

Bleeding from bite site

Breathing difficulties

Drowsiness, giddiness or faintness

Management

1. Follow DRSABCD

2. Rest and reassure patient

3. Apply a very firm pressure immobilisation bandage

4. Ensure casualty does not move

5. Call 000

Spider bites

Signs & Symptoms of a spider bite

Funnel web spider bite

Red-back spider bite

Additional symptoms

Sharp pain at bite site

Excess saliva Intense local pain which increases and spreads

Burning sensation

Profuse sweating

Confusion Small hair stand on end

Swelling

Nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain

Muscular twitching and breathing difficulty

Headache Blistering

Numbness around mouth

Muscle weakness or spasms

Copious tears

Fast pulse

Increase blood pressure

Management

1. Follow DRSABCD

2. Lie casualty down

3. Calm casualty

Funnel web/Mouse Spider= pressure immobilisation bandage

Red-back= apply cold pack to site

Other bites=

-wash with soap and water

-Apply cold pack

Insect Stings

Stings are generally painful

Bee sting= stinger is left behind in the skin

Wasps= multiple stings

Ticks=

-feed on casualty's blood

-tick attaches themselves to body

Signs and Symptoms

Pain at site- sometimes extreme

Swelling and redness

Muscle weakness (tick)

Difficulty in breathing and swallowing (tick)

Itchy and painful blisters

Management

1. Follow DRSABCD

2. Apply cold compress

Bee Sting= remove sting-> scrape sideways with your fingernail

Tick bite= remove tick-> fine tipped forceps

Press skin around tick’s embedded mouth

Grip mouth part firmly, gently detach

Do not squeeze the body

Allergic reaction to a sting

Can happen almost immediately

Can result in a blockage of airway-> anaphylactic shock

Signs and Symptoms

Rash, itching

Swollen eyelids, face, or neck tissues

Altered voice

Wheezing

Respiratory distress

Altered state of conscious

Management

1. Follow DRSABCD

2. Apply pressure immobilisation bandage

3. Ask casualty if they are carrying an EpiPen

-determine whether they can administer EpiPen themselves

4. Ensure casualty keeps still

5. Conscious-> position patient that assists breathing

Animal Bites

Carry bacteria and other organisms in their mouths

Bites may puncture the skin

Untreated bites= likely to become

infected

Management

1. Follow DRSABCD

2. Control bleeding- direct pressure & elevation

3. Apply dressing and bandage firmly

4. Immobilise if bite on a limb

5. Seek medical aid

Tropical marine bites and stings

Box jellyfish

Sea anemone

Jimble

Management

1. Follow DRSABCD

2. Calm casualty-> restrain from rubbing stung area

3. Flood the entire stung area with vinegar for at least 30 seconds

4. Remain with casualty until help arrives

5. Be prepared to give CPR (if necessary)

6. Keep casualty resting