ENVIRONMENTAL EMERGENCIES Unit 4. Bites and Stings Although many bites are minor, some may break the skin. Wound can bleed and become infected from.

ENVIRONMENTAL

EMERGENCIESUnit 4

Bites and StingsAlthough many bites are minor, some may

break the skin.

Wound can bleed and become infected from germs

Animals may carry rabies

ActionMake sure scene is safe.Get first aid kit. Wear PPE

For animal bites, phone or send someone to phone 911

Clean the wound with soap and water

Stop any bleeding with pressure and dressing

For all bites that break the skin, call healthcare provider

If there is bruise or swelling, apply ice for up to 20 minutes.

Snakebites It is helpful if you can identify the kind of snake

Signs of poisonous snakebites Pain in the bite area that keeps getting worse Swelling of the bite area Nausea, vomiting, sweating and weakness

ActionsMake sure scene is safe.Get first aid kit. Wear

PPE

Clear the area and call 911 or have someone call 911

Have victim stay calm

Remove any tight clothing and jewelry

Gently wash bite with soap and water if available.

Insect, Bee, and Spider Bites and StingsUsually insect and spider bites and stings

cause only mild pain, itching, and swelling at the bite

Some insect bites can be serious or fatal if: The person has severe allergic reaction to bite or

sting Poison (Venom) is injected into the person

Black widow spider or brown recluse spider

Poisonous Spiders

Actions Make sure scene is safe. Get first aid kit. Wear PPE

Phone or have someone call 911 if: The person has signs of severe allergic reaction Person tells you that she has allergic reaction to insect bites or

stings Get EpiPen

If a bee stung the person: Look for the stinger. Bees are only insects that may leave

stingers behind Scrape away stinger and venom sac by using something with a

dull edge such as a credit card Wash bite or sting area with soap and water if available Apply ice for up to 20 minutes Watch person for at least 30 minutes for signs of allergic reaction

Bee Stinger and Venom Sac

Signs of Poisonous Spider biteSevere pain at the site of bite

Muscle cramps

Headache

Fever

Vomiting

Breathing problems

Seizures

Lack of response

TicksTicks can be found on animals and in wooded

areas

They will attach themselves to exposed body parts

Some ticks carry serious diseases

ActionsMake sure scene is safe. Get first aid kit. Wear

PPE

Grab the tick by its mouth or head as close to skin as possible with tweezers

Lift tick straight out without twisting or squeezing

Wash bite with soap and water if available

See healthcare provider ASAP

Heat-Related EmergenciesHeat Cramps, Heat Exhaustion, Heat Stroke

Most heat related emergencies are caused by vigorous exercise

Heat cramps are painful muscle spasms most often in calves, arms, stomach muscles, and back.

ActionsMake sure scene is safe. Get first aid kit. Wear

PPE.

Have person with heat cramps rest and cool off

Have person drink something that contains sugar and electrolytes, such as juice or a sports drink, or water if others aren’t available

Once heat cramp symptoms stop, person can return to exercise

Ice, and massaging painful muscles may help

Heat ExhaustionSerious condition that often turns into heat

stroke

Signs of heat exhaustion include: sweating, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, muscle cramps, feeling faint and fatigue

ActionsMake sure scene is safe. Get first aid kit. Wear PPE.

Phone or ask someone to call 911

Have person lie down in cool place

Remove as much of persons clothing as possible

Cool person with cool water spray, or damp cloths on neck, armpit, and groin

Have person drink something that contains sugar, and electrolytes or water if others are avail.

Heat StrokeSerious condition that looks similar to heat

exhaustion but it is life threatening

you need to act quickly

Begin cooling person immediately. Every minute counts.

Key signs of heat stroke: Confusion Passing out Dizziness seizures

ActionsMake sure scene is safe. Get first aid kit. Wear

PPE.

Phone or have someone call 911

Put person in cool water up to her neck if possible if not cool water spray or cloths.

See if person needs CPR.

Cold-Related EmergenciesFrostbite

Affects parts of the body that are exposed to cold or when handling cold materials such as gases under pressure

Hypothermia When body temperature falls. Serious condition

that can cause death. Shivering protects body by producing heat. Shiver

stops when body becomes too cold.

FrostbiteSigns

White waxy or grayish-yellow skin Area is cold and numb Area is hard, skin doesn’t move when you push it

ACTIONS Move person to warm place Call or have someone call 911 Remove tight clothing and jewelry from frostbitten

part Remove wet clothing and pat the body dry. Put dry

clothes on person and cover with blanket

Hypothermia Signs

Skin is cool to the touch Confusion or drowsiness Personality change/person may be unconcerned about

condition Muscles become stiff and rigid, skin becomes ice cold

and blue

As body temp. continues to drop: Person stops responding Persons breathing slows May be hard to tell if person is breathing Person may appear to be dead

Actions for Hypothermia

Get person out of cold

Remove wet clothing and pat body dry. Put dry clothes on the person and cover with blanket

Call or have someone call 911

See if the person needs CPR

PoisonPoison is anything someone swallows,

breathes, or gets in the eyes or on the skin that causes sickness or death.

Most important step is to make sure scene is safe before giving first aid.

Actions Make sure scene is safe.Get first aid kit. Wear PPE

Help the person take off contaminated clothing and jewelry

Quickly help the person to a safety shower or eyewash station if he responds and can move.

Brush off any dry powder or solid substances from the skin with your gloved hand.

Rinse the contaminated area with a lot of water for at least 20 minutes or until someone with more training can take over

If only one eye is affected make sure the eye with the poison in it, is the lower eye you rinse.