Animal Bites and Stings
Animal Bites and Stings can include venom or toxin from bees, spiders, dogs, snakes, jellyfish, and stingrays among others. A major concern of any toxin introduced into the human body is anaphylaxis, or severe allergic reaction. If a bee stings an allergic individual, for example, the swelling may be so rapid and severe as to block off the airway and cause suffocation. Some treatments that may be prescribed for the individual include antihistamines to reduce swelling, or a shot of epinephrine (or adrenaline). If you know severely allergic individuals, you should become familiar with their treatment and how to assist them in an emergency.
For bee stings, remove the stinger and poison sac by scraping it with a credit card. Do not try to remove it with your fingers or tweezers, as you are likely to empty the poison sac into the body. Wash the sting area / wound site with soap and warm water, keep the site at, or below heart level, and apply a cold pack to reduce swelling, and to slow the spread of the poison. If serious symptoms develop, contact a physician or the EMS.
The treatment for spider bites is similar to bee stings, although the symptoms can be much different. A black widow spider emits a neurotoxin that affects the nervous system of the victim. Although rarely fatal, it can cause nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing or swallowing, sweating, salivating, as well as pain, swelling and redness near the bite area. The brown recluse’s poison causes more localized damage, and does not affect other parts of the body. It will cause pain, scarring, and often large areas of necrosis, or tissue death.
Snakes exist in almost every part of the world. Of the approximately 8000 snake bites each year, however, fewer than 12 result in fatality. This is due in part to the fact that about two thirds of all poisonous snake bites involve little or no venom; these are called “dry bites.” Baby snakes are more dangerous in this regard as they have not yet learned to save their venom for prey. If venom is injected, symptoms will begin rapidly and include pain, swelling, weakness, dizziness, fever, or chills. In the event of snakebite, immediately remove all constricting clothing and jewelry from the extremity. Wash the bite area with soap and warm water. Keep wound site at or below heart level, and seek immediate medical attention. Sometimes a constricting band may be used on snakebite, but it must not significantly affect circulation and it should be loose enough for you to slip your fingers underneath.
Do Not apply ice to snakebites, as it may crystallize the venom and compound the reaction.
Do Not attempt to “cut and suck” the venom, even using kits. In order to be effective, the suction must be applied almost immediately, and the danger of severing an artery can outweigh the danger from the venom.
Although dogs do not inject venom, their bites can be damaging to tissue and often infectious as well. If a dog has rabies, it can transmit the disease to a human by a single bite. If a bitten individual suspects rabies, control the victim’s bleeding, treat for shock, and contact a physician for treatment. It may then be necessary to locate the dog in order to determine whether it is infected. An infected individual must receive a series of shots to control the disease, which can be fatal if untreated.
Jellyfish can cause red, painful, rash-like symptoms, which may spread, to the hands and face of the victim if contacted. Rinse thoroughly with water and apply vinegar or baking soda to stop the pain.
Stingrays are flat, round sea creatures that will inject a venomous barb into the leg or foot of an individual unlucky enough to step on them. The barb releases a protein into the body which may cause the victim to go into shock. Additionally, bits of the barb may remain in the wound and pose an infection risk. Initial treatment includes immersing the wound in hot, non-scalding water. Keep the wound below heart level, and see a physician for any potential infection. Be alert for shock, and treat as necessary. Shuffling your feet can often alert the stingray of your presence and allow it the opportunity to leave.
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Car safety standards have changed drastically over the years. For example, seat belts were not required in vehicles until 1968 when the U.S. Department of Transportation issued a mandate to all auto makers. New York became the first state to require seat belts be worn by drivers and front-seat passengers in December of 1984. Today, 49 of the 50 states and Washington D.C. have either primary or secondary seat belt requirements, according to the Governor’s Highway Safety Association. New Hampshire is the only state that does not require adults over age 18 to wear seat belts. In addition, front air bags have been required in cars since 1998. And, many cars now include side air bags as well.
Schedule cold jobs for the warmer part of the day.
2. What is your plan to protect the business and its employees before, during and after an emergency?
when ignited and inhaled, affect the body’s lungs, circulatory system, and ultimately the heart itself. One of these chemicals is nicotine. Nicotine is highly addictive; it’s the stuff that keeps you coming back for more. But it’s also a vasoconstrictor, which means it tightens the walls of the blood vessels. In the case of smaller blood vessels, nicotine may constrict them to the point of complete occlusion, and the largest collection of these small blood vessels in your body is the neural network of your brain. Upon inhalation, nicotine enters the bloodstream and begins constricting blood vessels. This may even create the temporary light-headed sensation associated with asphyxiation.
