BITES and STINGS​

Treatment:

1. Apply a Pressure Immobilisation Bandage (PIB) to suspected Snake Bites, Funnel Web Bites, Blue Ringed Octopus and Cone Shell. Rapid Evac

2. For all other land based bites and stings apply ice for pain management and monitor for anaphylaxis 

3. For all other water based bites and stings apply hot water for pain management and monitor for anaphylaxis 

4. In the tropics, because of the risk (even if small) that the victim has been stung by a potentially lethal jellyfish, the priority must be to preserve life. If the species causing the sting cannot clearly be identified as harmless, or due to a “Bluebottle”, it is safer to treat the victim with vinegar. Outside the tropics, where huge numbers of non-life-threatening stings occur, the primary objective is pain relief with heat or cold.

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Evacuation: Consider: Any patient with pain that cannot be managed  Rapid: Any patient who requires a PIB, EpiPen administration or unstable Vital Signs