POISONINGPOISONING

Poisonous substances can be swallowed, injected, Poisonous substances can be swallowed, injected, inhaled, absorbed. Poisoning and envenomation inhaled, absorbed. Poisoning and envenomation can be life threatening and require rapid first aid. can be life threatening and require rapid first aid. Signs and symptoms of poisoning vary according Signs and symptoms of poisoning vary according to the type of poison and amount taken.to the type of poison and amount taken.

MANAGEMENT OF POISONINGMANAGEMENT OF POISONING1.1. DRABCDDRABCD2.2. Mouth to nose rescue breaths may be required for some Mouth to nose rescue breaths may be required for some

cases of poisoningcases of poisoning3.3. If the casualty is unconscious place in recovery position If the casualty is unconscious place in recovery position

and call 000and call 0004.4. Collect information about the poisonCollect information about the poison5.5. Call the Poisons Information Centre on Call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 2613 11 266.6. Follow the advice of the Poisons Information CentreFollow the advice of the Poisons Information Centre

BITES & STINGSBITES & STINGS

The pressure immobilisation technique isThe pressure immobilisation technique is

recommended only for use for the recommended only for use for the following following

types of bites or stings:types of bites or stings:

All Australian snake bites, including sea snake bitesAll Australian snake bites, including sea snake bites Funnel web spider bitesFunnel web spider bites Bee, wash, ant stings and paralysis tick Bee, wash, ant stings and paralysis tick

envenomation in allergic individualsenvenomation in allergic individuals Blue-ringed octopus bitesBlue-ringed octopus bites Cone snail (cone shell) stingsCone snail (cone shell) stings

IN ANY IN ANY ENVENOMATION:ENVENOMATION:

DO NOTDO NOT get bitten yourself get bitten yourself DO NOT suck the venom outDO NOT suck the venom out DO NOT apply a tourniquetDO NOT apply a tourniquet DO NOT cut, bleed or wash DO NOT cut, bleed or wash the the bite sitebite site DO NOT express the venom DO NOT express the venom or or remove any previously remove any previously applied applied bandages.bandages.

SNAKE BITESSNAKE BITES

MANAGEMENT OF A SNAKE BITEMANAGEMENT OF A SNAKE BITE

1.1. DRABCD – Be careful not to get DRABCD – Be careful not to get bitten yourselfbitten yourself

2.2. Rest the casualty, do not let them Rest the casualty, do not let them move or walk aroundmove or walk around

3.3. Call for help as soon as possibleCall for help as soon as possible4.4. Pressure immobilisation technique Pressure immobilisation technique

(P.I.T.)(P.I.T.)5.5. Provide reassuranceProvide reassurance

SPIDER BITESSPIDER BITES

Management of a Management of a Funnel WebFunnel Web Spider Bite Spider Bite

1.1. DRABCD DRABCD

2.2. Rest the casualtyRest the casualty

3.3. Call for helpCall for help

4.4. Pressure immobilisation techniquePressure immobilisation technique

5.5. Provide reassuranceProvide reassurance Management of a Management of a Red BackRed Back Spider Bite Spider Bite

1.1. DRABCD DRABCD

2.2. Rest the casualtyRest the casualty

3.3. Apply ice to the bite siteApply ice to the bite site

4.4. Seek medical helpSeek medical help

5.5. Provide reassuranceProvide reassurance

STINGSSTINGS

MANAGEMENT OF A BEE STINGMANAGEMENT OF A BEE STING DRABCDDRABCD Remove the sting or barb with a sideward scraping Remove the sting or barb with a sideward scraping

movementmovement Apply a cold packApply a cold pack Observe for signs of an allergic reactionObserve for signs of an allergic reaction If an allergic reaction does occur, use the pressure If an allergic reaction does occur, use the pressure

immobilisation techniqueimmobilisation technique Provide reassuranceProvide reassuranceMANAGEMENT OF AN ANT STINGMANAGEMENT OF AN ANT STING DRABCD – be careful not to get stungDRABCD – be careful not to get stung Apply ice or a cold packApply ice or a cold pack Observe for signs of allergic responseObserve for signs of allergic response Provide reassuranceProvide reassurance

PARALYSIS TICKPARALYSIS TICK

A Tick bite can cause serious ill effects A Tick bite can cause serious ill effects

MANAGEMENT OF A TICK BITEMANAGEMENT OF A TICK BITE1.1. DRABCDDRABCD2.2. Do not squeeze tickDo not squeeze tick3.3. Remove the whole tick using tweezers and a Remove the whole tick using tweezers and a

levering motionlevering motion4.4. Inspect all skin areas for more ticksInspect all skin areas for more ticks5.5. Clean the tick bit site and the tweezersClean the tick bit site and the tweezers6.6. Observe for signs of an allergic reactionObserve for signs of an allergic reaction7.7. Provide reassuranceProvide reassurance8.8. Seek medical assistance.Seek medical assistance.

MARINEMARINE ANIMAL BITES AND ANIMAL BITES AND STINGSSTINGS

In the waters around Australia there are In the waters around Australia there are many types of marine animals that can many types of marine animals that can inflict painful and sometimes life inflict painful and sometimes life threatening bites and stings.threatening bites and stings.

Be alert when near water, rock pools, Be alert when near water, rock pools, rivers, creeks or the ocean.rivers, creeks or the ocean.

When a person has been bitten or stung When a person has been bitten or stung there is also the danger that the person there is also the danger that the person might panic and drown.might panic and drown.

If it is safe to do so – remove casualty from If it is safe to do so – remove casualty from the water as soon as possible.the water as soon as possible.

BLUE RINGED OCTOPUSBLUE RINGED OCTOPUS The blue ringed octopus has lethal venom in its The blue ringed octopus has lethal venom in its

saliva that can be injected via a painless bite. saliva that can be injected via a painless bite. The venom can cause paralysis and may stop a The venom can cause paralysis and may stop a person from breathing. Note – even though the person from breathing. Note – even though the casualty may be unable to move, they are often casualty may be unable to move, they are often aware of their surrounding and require aware of their surrounding and require extensive reassurance.extensive reassurance.

MANAGEMENTMANAGEMENT1. DRABCD call 000/lifesaver1. DRABCD call 000/lifesaver2. Remove casualty from the water2. Remove casualty from the water3. Give Basic Life Support3. Give Basic Life Support4. Pressure immobilisation4. Pressure immobilisation5. Provide reassurance5. Provide reassurance6. Closely monitor signs of life6. Closely monitor signs of life

BOX JELLY FISH STINGBOX JELLY FISH STING

Found in northern Australia. Often veryFound in northern Australia. Often very difficult to see in difficult to see in the water – the sudden and severe pain of the sing may be the water – the sudden and severe pain of the sing may be first sign of its presence. The tentacles of the box jellyfish first sign of its presence. The tentacles of the box jellyfish have a typical banded ladder appearance and leave similar have a typical banded ladder appearance and leave similar markings and tentacles on the skin of the casualty.markings and tentacles on the skin of the casualty.

MANAGEMENTMANAGEMENT1.1. DRABCD and call 000/lifesaverDRABCD and call 000/lifesaver2.2. Remove casualty from water if safe to do soRemove casualty from water if safe to do so3.3. Give Basic Life SupportGive Basic Life Support4.4. Wash tentacles and skin with vinegarWash tentacles and skin with vinegar5.5. Apply cold pack for pain reliefApply cold pack for pain relief6.6. Provide reassuranceProvide reassurance7.7. Closely monitor for signs of life Closely monitor for signs of life

BLUEBOTTLE JELLYFISH STINGBLUEBOTTLE JELLYFISH STING

Found all over Australian coastline. Though a Found all over Australian coastline. Though a sting can cause severe local pain, the venom is sting can cause severe local pain, the venom is not lethal and no deaths have been recorded.not lethal and no deaths have been recorded.

MANAGEMENTMANAGEMENT1.1. DRABCD and call 000 or call lifesaverDRABCD and call 000 or call lifesaver2.2. Apply a cold pack for pain reliefApply a cold pack for pain relief3.3. Provide reassuranceProvide reassurance

NOTE – DO NOT RUB THE AFFECTED AREANOTE – DO NOT RUB THE AFFECTED AREA

CONE SNAIL (CONE CONE SNAIL (CONE SHELL)SHELL)

The Cone Snail is found in tropical regions of The Cone Snail is found in tropical regions of Australia. The shell is usually brown and Australia. The shell is usually brown and white and contains a poisonous spine that white and contains a poisonous spine that sticks into the skin when the shell is sticks into the skin when the shell is handled.handled.

MANAGEMENTMANAGEMENT1.1. DRABCD call 000 or lifesaverDRABCD call 000 or lifesaver2.2. Remove casualty from water is safe to do soRemove casualty from water is safe to do so2.2. Apply pressure immobilisation techniqueApply pressure immobilisation technique3.3. Give Basic Life Support required and Give Basic Life Support required and

monitor signs of lifemonitor signs of life

STONEFISHSTONEFISHThe Stonefish lives in northern NSW and the tropical The Stonefish lives in northern NSW and the tropical

regions. Envenomation occurs during handling regions. Envenomation occurs during handling and when stepping on the poisonous spines along and when stepping on the poisonous spines along the back of the fish.the back of the fish.

MANAGEMENTMANAGEMENT1.1. DRABCD – remove casualty from the water and DRABCD – remove casualty from the water and

call 00call 002.2. Immerse the area in hot water but avoid scaldingImmerse the area in hot water but avoid scalding3.3. closely monitor signs of lifeclosely monitor signs of life4.4. Give Basic Life Support as requiredGive Basic Life Support as required5.5. Provide reassurance.Provide reassurance.

ALLERGIC REACTIONSALLERGIC REACTIONS

A severe allergic reaction is called Anaphylaxis and occurs when A severe allergic reaction is called Anaphylaxis and occurs when a sensitive person is exposed to a substance i.e. food, food a sensitive person is exposed to a substance i.e. food, food additive, chemical, medicine, bite or sting or synthetic additive, chemical, medicine, bite or sting or synthetic materials such as latex. Anaphylaxis is life threatening and materials such as latex. Anaphylaxis is life threatening and requires immediate first aid and urgent medical attention – call requires immediate first aid and urgent medical attention – call 000]000]

Signs and symptoms ManagementSigns and symptoms Management Breathlessness 1. DRABCD and call 000Breathlessness 1. DRABCD and call 000 Chest tightness 2. Give Basic life supportChest tightness 2. Give Basic life support Collapse and unconsciousness 3. Remove contact with Collapse and unconsciousness 3. Remove contact with

allergen if allergen if Tiredness or weakness known and if possibleTiredness or weakness known and if possible Difficulty in speaking /swallowing 4. If allergic response Difficulty in speaking /swallowing 4. If allergic response

due to bitedue to bite Swelling to any part of body or sting apply pressure Swelling to any part of body or sting apply pressure Red marks and rashes immobilisation techniqueRed marks and rashes immobilisation technique Wheezing/itching 5. Assist in administration of Wheezing/itching 5. Assist in administration of

Palpitations/anxiety adreline (via Epi Pen) Palpitations/anxiety adreline (via Epi Pen)