Bites and Stings - Animated

St John Ambulance

18 Jul 202202:35

Summary

TLDRThis instructional video script offers essential first aid guidance for treating bite and sting injuries. It emphasizes reassurance and proper wound care, including cleaning, elevation, and sterile dressing. For stings, it advises removal of the sting, application of a cold compress, and monitoring for allergic reactions, with a reminder to call emergency services for severe reactions like anaphylaxis. The script also highlights the importance of being prepared to perform CPR if the casualty becomes unresponsive.

Takeaways

🚫 Avoid putting your face near the mouth and nose of a casualty to prevent potential infection or contamination.
🛑 If a casualty has been bitten, reassure them and assist them to sit or lie down for first aid treatment.
🧼 Clean the wound immediately with soap and water to minimize the risk of infection.
🗨️ Communicate with the casualty, informing them of the steps you are taking and providing reassurance.
🤚 Elevate and support the wound to reduce swelling and discomfort.
🩹 Use clean gauze to dry the wound before applying a sterile dressing.
🏥 Seek medical advice or arrange for the casualty to go to the hospital if the bite is large or deep.
🔍 For stings, reassure the casualty and help them sit or lie down for treatment.
🪄 If possible, remove the sting by brushing or scraping it sideways with a card or fingernail.
🧊 Apply a cold compress to the affected area to minimize swelling and keep it in place for up to 20 minutes.
🚨 Monitor vital signs and watch for signs of allergic reactions, such as difficulty breathing or a swollen face.
🆘 Call emergency services if a severe allergic reaction, or anaphylaxis, is suspected.
💔 Be prepared to perform basic life support and CPR if the casualty becomes unresponsive.

Q & A

What is the primary precaution to take when dealing with a casualty who has been bitten or stung?
-The primary precaution is to avoid putting your face near the mouth and nose of the casualty to ensure safety.
How should you reassure a casualty who has been bitten or stung?
-Reassure the casualty by helping them to sit or lie down and maintaining communication to keep them calm.
What is the first step in treating a bite wound?
-The first step is to clean the wound thoroughly with soap and water to minimize the risk of infection.
How should you dry the wound after cleaning it?
-The wound should be dried with clean gauze swabs.
What should be used to cover a bite wound after it has been cleaned and dried?
-A sterile wound dressing should be used to cover the bite.
What should you do if the bite wound is large or deep?
-Arrange for the casualty to be taken to the hospital for further treatment.
How can you remove a visible sting from a casualty?
-Remove the sting by brushing or scraping it sideways with the edge of a card or your fingernail.
What should be done to minimize swelling after a sting?
-Raise the affected area and apply a cold compress to minimize swelling.
How long should you keep a cold compress in place after a sting?
-Keep the cold compress in place for up to 20 minutes.
What signs should you monitor for in a casualty who has been stung, indicating a severe allergic reaction?
-Monitor for signs such as difficulty breathing, a swollen face, and the casualty generally feeling unwell, which may indicate anaphylaxis.
What should you do if a casualty shows signs of a severe allergic reaction?
-Call emergency services at 999 or 112 immediately.
What actions should you be prepared to take if a casualty becomes unresponsive after a severe reaction?
-Be prepared to use basic life support and start CPR if the casualty becomes unresponsive.

Outlines

00:00

🚑 First Aid for Bite and Sting Injuries

This paragraph provides guidance on administering first aid to a casualty who has been bitten or stung. It emphasizes the importance of avoiding close contact with the casualty's face to prevent infection. The script instructs to reassure the casualty and assist them in sitting or lying down. For bite injuries, it details the steps to clean the wound with soap and water, raise and support it, and cover it with a sterile dressing. It advises seeking medical advice for large or deep wounds. For stings, it suggests removing the sting if visible, applying a cold compress to reduce swelling, and monitoring for signs of severe allergic reactions, such as anaphylaxis, which requires immediate medical attention. The paragraph also highlights the need to be prepared for basic life support and CPR if the casualty becomes unresponsive.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Casualty

A 'casualty' in the context of this video refers to an individual who has suffered an injury or harm, such as a bite or sting. The term is central to the video's theme of first aid, as it is used to describe the person receiving assistance. For example, the script instructs to 'help the casualty to either sit or lie down' after a bite or sting.

💡First Aid

First Aid is the immediate care given to someone who is ill or injured, but not in a life-threatening condition, with the aim of preventing further harm. In the video, first aid procedures are demonstrated for treating bite and sting injuries, emphasizing the importance of quick and appropriate response to such incidents.

💡Bite Injury

A 'bite injury' is a type of wound caused by an animal or insect bite. The video script provides specific instructions on how to treat such injuries, including cleaning the wound and using a sterile dressing, which is crucial for preventing infection and promoting healing.

💡Infection

Infection occurs when harmful microorganisms, such as bacteria, enter the body and cause illness or disease. The video emphasizes minimizing the risk of infection by thoroughly cleaning the wound with soap and water, which is a fundamental step in first aid for bite injuries.

💡Sterile Wound Dressing

A 'sterile wound dressing' is a clean, non-living material used to cover and protect a wound from external contaminants. The script mentions using a sterile dressing to cover a bite, which is essential for preventing infection and allowing the wound to heal properly.

💡Sting

A 'sting' is an injury caused by the sharp, pointed part of an insect or other animal, often accompanied by the injection of venom. The video provides guidance on how to assist someone who has been stung, including removing the sting and applying a cold compress to reduce swelling.

💡Cold Compress

A 'cold compress' is a method of applying a cold substance to an area of the body to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. In the video, it is recommended to apply a cold compress to the area of a sting to minimize swelling, demonstrating a practical first aid technique.

💡Allergic Reaction

An 'allergic reaction' is the body's response to a foreign substance, which can range from mild to severe. The video script warns about monitoring for signs of an allergic reaction after a sting, such as difficulty breathing, and the need to call emergency services if a severe reaction occurs.

💡Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that requires immediate medical attention. The video script identifies anaphylaxis by its signs, such as difficulty breathing and a swollen face, and instructs the viewer to call emergency services if it occurs.

💡Basic Life Support (BLS)

Basic Life Support, or BLS, refers to a set of emergency medical procedures that can be performed by a layperson to save a person's life in certain critical situations, such as when they are unresponsive. The video mentions being prepared to use BLS, including CPR, if the casualty becomes unresponsive after a severe allergic reaction.

💡CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation)

CPR is an emergency procedure that involves chest compressions and sometimes artificial respiration to restore blood circulation and breathing in a person who is in cardiac arrest. The script advises starting CPR if the casualty becomes unresponsive, highlighting its importance in life-saving situations.

Highlights

Avoid putting your face near the mouth and nose of a casualty.

Demonstrate first aid for a casualty bitten or stung.

Reassure the casualty and help them sit or lie down.

Clean the wound with soap and water to minimize infection risk.

Talk to the casualty, explaining actions and offering reassurance.

Raise and support the wound, then dry with clean gauze swabs.

Cover the bite with a sterile wound dressing.

Arrange hospital transport for large or deep wounds.

Seek medical advice for bites that have pierced the skin.

For suspected stings, reassure and help the casualty sit or lie down.

Remove visible stings by brushing or scraping sideways.

Apply a cold compress to the affected area to minimize swelling.

Monitor vital signs and watch for signs of allergic reaction.

Call emergency services for severe allergic reactions or anaphylaxis.

Signs of severe allergic reaction include difficulty breathing and a swollen face.

Be prepared to use basic life support and start CPR if the casualty becomes unresponsive.

The casualty's condition may worsen, so be vigilant for changes.