Basic First Aid for the Community and Workplace

Venomous Spider Bite – Limit an application to 20 minutes or less. • Keep the victim warm, reassured and quiet. • Seek medical attention. Severe Reaction • Assess, Alert, and Attend to the ABCs. Bees, Wasps, Fire Ants Spider bite. Most spiders have venom glands, but only a few dozen species are dangerous to humans. Spiders have fangs, which in most species move horizontally like pincers. The venom of spiders has both neurotoxin to paralyze the prey, and digestive enzymes to liquefy the prey. In a few spiders, the digestive enzymes are strong enough to destroy cells and cause systemic toxicity in humans. Signs and Symptoms Widow, Brown or Violin Spiders • Bite site tender, swollen, painful, itchy, red. • Puncture marks, bleeding. • Heat over the affected area. • Whole body effects include: - Cramping, pain, and muscular rigidity in stomach, or shoulders, back, and chest. - Fever, chills, rash, anxiety/weakness, nausea/vomiting, rash/allergic reaction/difficulty breathing.20 First Aid • Remove rings, watches and constrictive clothing. • Wash with clean, running tap water for several minutes. • Cover the area with an adhesive bandage or a gauze pad. • Apply ice to the injury to reduce pain, and swelling.21,22,23,24 – To prevent cold injury, place a thin towel or cloth between the cold source and the skin. Signs and Symptoms Minor Reaction • Bite site pain, redness, swelling, itching. Moderate Reaction • Bite site reaction expands slowly to more than 4 inches (10 centimeters) across. Severe Reaction • Whole body effects. • Allergic reaction – can be fatal! • Hives (raised itchy bumps on skin.) • Itching all over body. • Swelling of mouth or throat or both. • Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing. • Nausea/vomiting. • Chest pain/palpitations. • Anxiety/weakness/ fainting. Bee Sting on child’s face. Bees, wasps, and fire ants will usually attack only in defense of their nests or territories. While wasps and fire ants can sting repeatedly, honeybees have a barbed stinger that usually cannot be retracted from human skin. The bee disembowels itself as it pulls away, leaving the venom sack still pulsing as it continues to inject venom. Bleeding, Shock, and Soft Tissue Injuries Basic First Aid for the Community and Workplace 19 This training guide is provided online for individual use only. Reprinting for classroom distribution is prohibited.

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Basic First Aid for the Community and Workplace

Basic First Aid for the Community and Workplace Contents Basic First Aid Emergency Action Steps Severe Bleeding and Shock Major Wounds Minor Wounds Burns Bites and Stings Dental Injuries Eye and Nose Injuries Injuries to Limbs Injuries to the Spine Head Injury Sudden Illness Specific Conditions Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke Endnotes About This Program

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