PADI RTO First Aid Student Manual

HLTAID003 - PROVIDE FIRST AID Envenomation How do you manage envenomation? Use the Cycle of Care

(DRSABCDS). If possible and safe, get a good look at the creature, or capture it for positive identification. However, do not take time away from emergency care or put yourself at risk. Ask for a history of events: what happened where, etc. Act quickly, seek medical care in all cases, even when in doubt if a casualty has been bitten or stung. For urgent advice regarding envenomation call the 24-hour Australian Venom Research Unit telephone number: 1300 760 451 or 03 9483 8204. Reaction to venom may depend on the casualty’s size, current health, previous exposure, body chemistry, location of the bite or sting and how much venom was injected. Some casualties have severe allergic reactions to even minor bites or stings – particularly bee stings. See ‘allergic reactions’ for treatment of anaphylaxis (extreme sensitivity to a particular substance such as a venom causing a severe allergic reaction). Treat any bite or sting that produces a deep wound, or alters the casualty’s breathing or consciousness level, as a medical emergency. Follow primary care procedures. Pressure immobilisation bandage can slow the spread of venom but is not always advised. When is the pressure immobilisation technique recommended for envenomation? The pressure immobilisation technique is recommended for application to bites and stings by all Australian venomous snakes, including sea snakes, funnel web spider, blue-ringed octopus and cone shell. The pressure immobilisation technique is NOT recommended for first aid management of other spider bites, including red back, jellyfish and fish stings, including stonefish and stings by scorpions, centipedes or beetles. Environmental impact Hypothermia What is hypothermia and who is at risk? Hypothermia is defined as when the body temperature rises dangerously low (below35°C). Those at risk are the very young and the elderly, those under influence of alcohol / drugs, trapped in a cold / wet / windy environment, seriously injured (major burns) and unconscious persons. You should treat hypothermia that alters consciousness as a medical emergency.

How do you manage hypothermia? Begin with primary assessment and care. Gently remove the casualty from any cold / wet / windy environment (no jostling). Remove wet clothing, cover with warm blanket, and give warm oral fluids (non-alcoholic) only if the person is fully conscious. Continue the Cycle of Care (DRSABCDS) until Emergency Medical Services personnel arrive.

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