Australian Snakes are among the most

venomous in the world.  Snakes produce venom in their salivary glands, which is forced under pressure through their fangs from the upper jaw.  

Some types of snakes are:  Red Belly Black, Tiger, Taipan, Brown, and Black

 

Funnel Web Spiders are extremely venomous.  Funnel webs are communal spiders and build burrows in moist soil, rockeries and compost heaps.  They can be found in shoes and clothing that are left on the ground.

The funnel web spider is a large black to dark brown spider.  It has a body length of approximately 3 cm.  The male spider has a shorter more slender body than the female, has spurs on his second front legs and long spinnerets on the rear of the abdomen.  The male funnel web is deadlier than the female species, but the female is more aggressive than the male.

The funnel web spider can breathe under water, and is often found on the bottom of pools or in the pool filter systems.

 

Signs and symptoms may include

· Pain at the bite site

· Paired fang marks or scratches

· Redness or swelling around bite site

· Tingling around the mouth

· Headache

· Nausea or vomiting

· Blurred vision

· Abdominal pain

· Over production of saliva

· Sweating

· Laboured breathing

· Swallowing difficulties

· Unconsciousness

 

NOTE:  Dangerous effects may occur within minutes

 

Treatment:

Follow the Basic First Aid Plan to assess the casualty

ü Apply firm pressure immediately over the site

ü Lay the casualty down

ü Reassure the casualty

ü Keep the casualty and bitten limb completely rested.  Do not move them

ü Place a non stick dressing over the bite site

ü Apply a pressure immobilisation bandage to the entire bitten limb.  A number of crepe bandages is preferred.  If not available, tear material strips 100mm to 150mm wide

ü Splint the bitten entire limb to stop movement

ü Bring medical aid to the casualty to prevent movement

ü Transport the casualty via Ambulance when ever possible

ü Monitor and record the vital signs until medical help arrives

ü If casualty becomes unconscious, place them on their side with the affected area lower than the heart

 

How to apply a Pressure Immobilisation Bandage:

ü Apply a pressure bandage over the bite site as soon as possible as firm as you would a sprained ankle.

ü Apply further pressure bandage from the fingers or toes of the bitten limb and bandage to the top of the limb.

ü Splint the bandaged limb

ü Keep the affected area lower than the heart at all times

ü Once applied do not remove the splint or bandages

 

   

 

 

 

The Red Back Spider has a body length of one cm.  It has a red, orange or pale stripe down its back.  The bite is painful, and can be life threatening for a child, but seldom serious for an adult.

The White Tail Spider has been implicated in the destruction of local tissue areas.  Local effects may be severe.  The area around the bite site is painful and can break out into little blisters.  The white tail spider has been known to spit, and if the venom gets into the eyes, it can cause blindness.  The white tail spider has a long grey body, may have white bands on its back and the tip of its tail is white

If you are not sure what type of spider you have been bitten by, then treat the bite as if it is a funnel web spider bite, and try to bring the spider to the hospital with you if it safe to do so.

 

Signs and Symptoms may include:

· Local pain, which can increase and spread

· Swollen, hot red bite site · Sweating

· Swollen glands under the armpits or in the groin

· Muscle tightness · Abdominal pain

· Nausea and dizziness

· Breathing difficulties

 

NOTE:   With a Red Back Spider bite local Pain occurs immediately after being bitten by the spider, but the venom reacts slowly, so a serious side effect is unlikely to occur for 2 – 3 hours

 

Treatment:

Follow the Basic First Aid Plan to assess the casualty

ü Wash the immediate area

ü Apply cold pack

ü Watch for allergic reaction

ü Seek medical advice

 

NOTE:  The pressure immobilisation bandage is not recommended for: Red Back Spider bite as the venom acts slowly and attempts to slow down the flow can increase pain at the bite site.

White Tail as it forces the venom further into the tissue.

 

If the spider cannot be positively identified correctly treat as a funnel web spider and apply a pressure immobilisation bandage:

 

 

 

 

Signs and symptoms may include:

· Immediate, intense pain

· Redness

· Swelling

Reactions may include

· Itchy bite site

· Facial swelling

· Wheezing and / or breathing difficulties

· Unconsciousness

 

NOTE:   A life threatening allergic reaction may occur within minutes.

If the casualty swallows a bee and is stung, or is stung around the neck, seek urgent medical attention.  

 

Treatment:

Follow the Basic First Aid Plan to assess the casualty

• The bee sting should always be scraped sideways to prevent further venom injections
• Wash the affected area and apply cold packs over the bite site
• Watch for signs of allergic reactions to the bite
• If the casualty is stung around the neck or casualty is sensitive to any type of insect stings, the airway may swell, so apply ice packs around the neck to reduce any swelling that may occur

 

 

NOTE:   Any casualty with a known allergy to stings must take the required medication immediately. This should be carried by the casualty for self-administration. (See chapter on Anaphylaxis and the use of the Epi-penÒ).

 

If the casualty has a history of allergic reactions or shows any signs of an allergic reaction, place a Pressure Immobilisation Bandage on the affected area immediately

 

 

 

 

 

Ticks can be found anywhere on the body especially in hairy areas, folds of skin, on the head, or between the fingers and the toes.  The Australian paralysis tick causes envenomation in humans.  Ticks are capable of spreading diseases such as Lyme disease or Tick Typhus

 

Signs and Symptoms may include

• Local irritation most common

·    Lethargy

·    Muscle weakness  · Double vision

·    Difficulty in swallowing and breathing

 

NOTE:   Signs and symptoms can develop over several days. Although allergic symptoms can occur within hours, this rarely occurs.

 

Treatment:

ü Kill the tick with insect repellent.  When the tick is dead;

ü Use fine tipped forceps.  Place the pointed end of the tweezers down onto the skin on either side of the front part of tick and gently and slowly lever the tick out

Do not squeeze the tick or pull the head apart from the body while removing it, as it will squeeze more venom into the body

Do not cut the tick

ü Clean the area with antiseptic

ü Casualty should see their doctor to check that further treatment is not required

ü If the casualty has had an allergic reaction previously, apply a pressure immobilisation bandage and seek medical advice

Allergic Reaction Signs and symptoms may include:

 

· Rash

· Fever

· Headache · Aching joints

· Breathing Difficulties

· Itchiness

 

 

 

 

 

The Blue-Ringed Octopus venom is injected into the body by a bite from a beak like mouth. The Cone Shell is found in tropical waters.  If handled or stepped on with bare feet, it can inject venom. The poison paralyses the respiratory system, causing the casualty to suffer breathing difficulties.  Constant monitoring and immediate medical aid is advised

 

Signs and Symptoms may include:

• Blue-ringed Octopus - A spot of blood visible but the bite is painless
• Cone Shell - A sharp sting is usually felt
• Numbness of the lips and the tongue
• The progressive weakness of muscles used for breathing
• BREATHING DIFFICULTIES MAY OCCUR QUICKLY

 

Treatment:

Follow the Basic First Aid Plan to assess the casualty

ü Apply a pressure immobilisation bandage as soon as possible

ü Monitor respirations and commence rescue breaths if the casualty ceases to breathe

ü Seek urgent medical help

 

 

 

 

 

Signs and Symptoms may include:

• Marks on the skin – red welts
• Blue tentacles may still be attached to the skin
• Pain / stinging for some hours may surround the bite site
• Nausea, headache, vomiting can occur
• Breathing difficulties and tightness of chest can occur

 

Treatment

ü If tentacles are still attached to the skin, remove them with tweezers or try and wash them off with seawater

ü Place the affected area in hot water (no hotter than rescuer can comfortably tolerate) if not available apply cold or ice packs to relieve the pain

ü Treat other symptoms as they present

 

 

 

 

The Large Box Jellyfish and Irukandji Jellyfish are found in the tropical regions of Australia from approximately Bundaberg upwards.

 

Signs and Symptoms may include

• Immediate intense burning pain
• Deep red marks appearing as skin welts
• Characteristic frosted ladder pattern
• Tentacles may still be attached to the skin
• Muscle cramps in the limbs, chest and abdomen Casualty becomes irrational with abnormal behaviour
• Circulation problems causing the casualty to cease breathing
• Cardiac Arrest

 

Treatment:

 

Follow the Basic First Aid Plan to assess the casualty

DO NOT rub the affected area

ü D R A B C D

ü Douse the entire area thoroughly with vinegar for 30 seconds (if available)

ü Remove the tentacles and rinse with seawater.

ü Apply a ice pack to help relieve the pain

ü Rest the casualty and prevent any unnecessary movement

ü Transport the casualty to the hospital – preferably by Ambulance

ü Watch vital signs.  Perform CPR if required

 

DO NOT APPLY PRESSURE IMMOBILISATION BANDAGE

 

 

 

 

Types of fish include:  Stingrays, stonefish, bullrout, fish with spines on them.

Platypus:   The male Platypus has a set of spurs on his back legs, and when provoked will attack you with them.

Echidna:   The quills

 

Signs and symptoms may include:

· Immediate, intense pain

· Swelling

· Local grey/blue discolouration

· Open wound

· Bleeding

· Irrational behaviour and panic

 

Treatment:

ü Place the limb in hot water, as hot as the casualty can tolerate

ü If the heat does not relieve the pain, place an ice pack over the wound

ü Remove the barb

ü Dress the wound

ü Transport to hospital

 

NOTE:  DO NOT apply the pressure immobilisation bandage