Bites and Stings Overview

Marine Envenomation, Bites and Stings

Things to Remember

• Keep the person still to slow toxins circulating through the body
• Don’t suck the poison out or cut the wound
• Do not use tourniquets
• Any unknown marine sting should be treated with vinegar

Funnel Web Spider, Mouse Spider, Snakes, Blue-Ringed Octopus, Cone Shells and Sea snakes

Immobilise and apply a pressure bandage

• DRSABCD
• Keep patient still
• Firmly apply a crepe bandage starting from the toes or the fingers and working up the limb
• Immobilise the limb with splints

Bees, Wasps, Ants, Ticks, Scorpions, Centipedes and most other spiders not mentioned, including Red-back

Ice-Pack

• Apply an ice pack to the injury site to reduce pain and swelling
• Do not put ice directly on the skin

Blue-Bottle Jellyfish, Bullrout Fish, Catfish, Crown of Thorns Starfish, Stingray, Stonefish and non-tropical jellyfish

Hot Water

• Water should not be hotter than 45 degrees Celsius and emersion should be for no more than 30 minutes
• Follow DRSABCD
• Keep patient calm
• Place the sting site into hot water for up to 30 minutes

Box Jellyfish, Irukandji, Sea anemones and tropical marine stings of unknown origin

Vinegar

• DRSABCD
• Flush with vinegar for 30 seconds (if vinegar is not available use sea water)
• Remove tentacles (do not use bare hands)