BITES AND STINGS
Bites and stings from venomous animals or insects can be fatal. As a first aider, it is important that you know what to do in these emergencies.
Snake and Funnel Web Spider Bite:
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 is 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.
Dangerous effects may occur within minutes.
95% of bites occur on the limbs.
70% of bites occur on the legs.
Signs and Symptoms may include
- Pain at the bite site.
- Paired fang marks or scratches.
- Redness or swelling
- Headache
- Sweating
- Nausea or vomiting
- Laboured breathing
- Swallowing difficulties
- Blurred vision
- Abdominal pain
- Over production of saliva.
- Tingling around the mouth
DO NOTs
- Cut the bite site.
- Use a tourniquet.
- Wash the affected area.
- Suck the bite site.
- Remove bandages or splints once they are on.
- Let the casualty move around or raise the bite site above the heart.