Bites and stings from various creatures can cause medical issues ranging from minor to severe, depending on factors like the type of creature and amount of venom injected. Different creatures' venoms spread through the body in different ways, and signs and symptoms as well as recommended first aid procedures vary. However, in general prevention is key and the primary goals of first aid are to restrict further venom spread, reduce pain, and seek urgent medical help if needed.

1. Laura Ball Bites and Stings

2. Nature of medical condition/injury Bites and stings are directly related to the venom which is injected into the body. The different types of venom of bites and stings varies according to the diverse range of venomous creatures such as snakes, spiders, bees, wasps, scorpions, ants, ticks, jellyfish, molluscs and fish. Since every venomous creature is different the severity of the bites and stings will depend on characteristics such as the type of creature, strength and effect of creature, the amount of venom injected, as well as on characteristics of the casualty such as their size, age and general health. A specific person characteristic of a person is allergies. Although some venoms may be recognised as minor bites/stings if a person has an allergic reaction to the venom they may go into anaphylactic shock which in turn can be fatal, also depending on the severity of the allergic reaction.

3. Spread Of Venom There are two ways that venom can be circulated throughout the body, by the circulatory and/or lymphatic system. The lymphatic system works by muscular action and the only way to slow down the spread of venom via the lymphatic system is to use the Pressure-Immobilisation technique as well as minimising movement of affected limb. Prevention With bites and stings what is better than a treatment is prevention. A person can do this by avoiding or taking special care in areas and seasons prone to venomous creatures (such as long grass for snakes, etc) and by treating the creatures with respect such as sea creatures, etc.

9. Diagram: Lippman J, Natoli D. (2006) First Aid – Royal Life Saving Society of Australia . J.L Publications: Victoria, Australia. Primary Management Techniques for Sea Creatures Overall Venomous Bite or Sting Restrict venom flow/prevent further envemonation Pain reduction Pressure Immobilisation Snake Blue-ringed octopus Cone shell Funnelweb spider Vinegar Tropical jellyfish Cold Packs Jellyfish Redback spider Ant, bee, wasp, scorpion Hot water/heat (45 °) Fish spine kinjury Blue bottle jellyfish

11. Pressure-Immobilisation technique lymphatic system, which works by muscular action. In order to slow down venom circulation for these specific creatures the pressure-immobilisation technique should be used. The venoms of snakes, blue-ringed octopus, cone shell and Funnelweb Spider circulate through the body via the Immediately apply pressure to envenomed area . Apply broad pressure bandage Bandage should be tight and firm but not too mush as to stop circulation. Start from below bite and work you way up. Apply bandage as far up limb as possible. Apply a splint to limb to inhibit movement. Fasten splint to limb using another bandage. Bind splint as firm as possible to restrict all movement. Then seek urgent medical assistance. When the arm is the site of affected area, after applying above steps a sling should also be used to immobilise the limb. Pictures from: AVRU (Australian Venom Research Unit). (December 2006) Pressure Immobilisation Bandaging. (Online) http:// www.avru.org/firstaid/firstaid_pib.html (Retrieved 29-8-08)

12. Bibliography Able Publishing (2007) First Aid . Pearson Education Australia: Melbourne AVRU (Australian Venom Research Unit). (December 2006) Pressure Immobilisation Bandaging. (Online) http:// www.avru.org/firstaid/firstaid_pib.html (Retrieved 29-8-08) Lippman J, Natoli D. (2006) First Aid – Royal Life Saving Society of Australia . J.L Publications: Victoria, Australia. Parasole EMT. (2006) Bites and Stings. (Online) http:// www.parasolemt.com.au/venum.asp (Retrieved 29-8-08) St John Ambulance Australia. (March 2008). Funnel-web & Mouse Spider Bites. (Online) http://www.stjohn.org.au/images/stjohn/information/funnel%20web%20spider%20bite%20june07%20v1.pdf (Retrieved 29-8-08) St John Ambulance Australia. (June 2007). Red-back Spider Bite. (Online) http://www.stjohn.org.au/images/stjohn/information/red-back%20spider%20bite%20v1%20june%2007.pdf (Retrieved 29-8-08) St John Ambulance Australia. (June 2007). Snake Bites. (Online) http://www.stjohn.org.au/images/stjohn/information/snake%20bite%20june07%20v1.pdf (Retrieved 29-8-08) Pictures Sites Only: Creative Arts. (9-11-04). Spider Webs . (Online) http://www.shawnolson.net/a/857/spider-webs.html (Retrieved 29-08-08) Dream Catcher. (October 2007). Dreams – The Spiders . (Online) http://megzaz.wordpress.com/2007/10/20/dreams-the-spiders/ (Retrieved 19-8-08) Diving World (No date). Photo gallery. (Online) http:// divingworld.com/photogallery.html (Retrieved 29-8-08) Move: Do it green (no date). Going organic will spare you time and energy. (Online) http://blogs.move.com/do-it-green/2007/09/20/going-organic-will-spare-you-time-and-energy/ (Retrieved 29-8-08) (2007). Jelly fish curious creatures. (Online) http://www.ratemyscreensaver.com/animals/jellyfish-curious-creatures/ (Retrieved 29-8-08)