St John Ambulance

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BITES AND STINGS
Bites and stings
By the end of this session you will be able to:
• recognise when someone has been bitten or
stung
• respond appropriately to someone who has
been bitten or stung.
Bites and stings
Class discussion:
•What animals or insects would bite or sting you in
the UK?
•Has anyone been bitten or stung and what did it
feel like?
 Bites and stings
Stings:
•Bees
•Wasps
•Hornets
•Jelly fish
Bites and stings
Stings:
Usually with stings it is painful rather than
dangerous.
There is usually a sharp pain followed by redness
and soreness.
Bites and stings
stings:
Jelly fish – there venom is contained in stinging cells which
stick to the skin.

To treat you need to sit the casualty down and pour as

hotter water that can be tolerated to inactivate the venom
for 30 mins and repeat every 30 mins for pain relief.
Bites and stings
Bites:
•Ticks
•Snakes
•Spiders
•Mosquitos
Bites and stings
Bites:
Ticks – are tiny spider like creatures, they are found in
grass or woodland.
They attach them selves to passing animals and bite the
skin to suck blood.

Ticks carry lyme disease and if you have been bitten by a

tick you must keep an eye on the site as there could be a
bullseye rash, if you see this rash you must go and get
medical attention.
Bites and stings
Bullseye rash
Bites and stings
Bites:
Snake bites – snake bites in the UK are uncommon as the only
poisonous snake is the adder.
Immediately there would be a sharp pain then followed by a
sensation of tingling and swelling spreading up the limb.

If there is a snake bite you need to rest the casualty down and
stop them from moving as you need to limit spreading the
venom which can spread via movement of the patient and
clothing around the site..
Then apply a bandage on the site and spread it up the limb as
far as possible.
Bites and stings
What you will see:
• There may be pain, redness or swelling around
the site of the bite or sting
• The severity will depend on what has bitten or
stung the casualty
• A severe allergic reaction is a possible
complication.
Bites and stings
What you should do:
• Reassure the casualty and
scrape off the sting if
necessary
• Raise the bitten or stung
part, if possible
• Apply an icepack
• If the pain or swelling
continues tell the
casualty
to seek medical help.