14 December 2005

Summer first aid skills save lives

NSW Health today called on the community to learn some simple first aid techniques that could help save a life this summer from natural hazards such as snakes and spiders or blue bottles that can ruin a summer holiday.

Dr Robert Day, acting director of emergency medicine at Sydney's Royal North Shore Hospital is an expert in poisonous bites and stings.

"While bluebottle stings are generally not fatal, they can be extremely painful. If someone is stung the best treatment is to clear the tentacles away with water and apply a cold pack or ice for 15 minutes," said Dr Day.

"Victims should also seek professional medical treatment," Dr Day advised.

He said people should also be aware of the blue-ringed octopus sting.

"It is quite dangerous because the poison can cause paralysis, so recommended treatment in this instance is to take the patient straight to hospital," said Dr Day.

Enjoying more outdoor activities can also expose the community to the dangers of the bush including spiders and snakes. Understanding the correct first aid for a snake or spider bite can mean the difference between life and death says Dr Day.

"It's vital the a bite victim receives appropriate first aid immediately. This should done as a priority before calling for expert help," he said.

First aid procedures for snake and spider bites include:

• Place a firm bandage to the limb commencing at the bite site, then going down to the fingers or toes and then up to the limb to the hip or shoulder - use whatever material is available including clothing as bandages;
• Keep the limb still;
• Bring transport to the patient;
• The patient should not attempt to walk or run;
• Under no circumstances should the bandage be removed until the patient has reached hospital;
• Call 000 once First Aid has been applied.

Dr Day said people living in bushfire danger areas need to be especially wary of snakes and spiders as in the event of a fire they may be frightened out of their natural habitat and into people's homes.

"Of course, prevention is better than cure. When it comes to avoiding a snake bite the best advice is simply to leave the snake alone," he said.

Dr Day said that in almost 80 per cent of cases seen in hospitals, people are bitten when they attempt to either catch or kill a snake.

Brown Snakes and Tiger Snakes cause the majority of snakebites in Australia. The most dangerous spiders in NSW are the Funnel Web, Mouse Spider and the Red Back, which can all cause serious illness and can be fatal.

The table below shows the number of emergency department (ED) visits for bites and stings (insects, snakes and spiders) in NSW for this year*.

*These figures are from January 2005 to November 2005 (figures correct as at 14 December 2005).

Fact sheets about stings and bites are available from the NSW Health website at www.health.nsw.gov.au

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au