Wilderness First Aid

Lesson 4: BITES AND STINGS

In this interesting lesson, you'll learn about various types of bites from animals, insects, sea creatures, reptiles and amphibians. We'll discuss symptoms, complications, first aid, and when to seek further care. Lyme disease will be briefly discussed.

INTRODUCTION TO LESSON 4

Is it possible to be outside in the summertime and NOT be bothered by one type of creature or another? Where I live, I’ve found that even being inside doesn’t exempt me from exposure to one type of creature or another. Fleas catch rides inside on my dogs, spiders have babies in my bathrooms, and there is ALWAYS an ant or two making an appearance somewhere in the house. It could be worse—in some parts of Africa and other countries, snakes inside homes are not at all uncommon. I think I’ll keep the fleas and spiders and the occasional ant, given the alternative! In this fun lesson, we’re going to look at bites and stings: animal, insect, sea creature, reptile and amphibian. Many people are exposed to only a certain type of creature, depending on their location, and you will probably learn from this lesson something about a creature you’ve never seen in your neighborhood! We’ll look at different types of bites delivered by various creatures, symptoms, complications, and first aid. We’ll also discuss Lyme disease, a serious threat in some parts of the United States. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

• Identify animals who possess the ability to bite and/or transmit disease.
• Recognize the signs and symptoms of an animal bite, and how to administer appropriate first aid, and/or seek further medical care.
• Recognize the complications that may arise from an animal bite, and the diseases which may be transmitted by an animal bite.
• Understand measures you can take to prevent bites.
• Identify insects and sea creatures that may inflict disease or poisoning.
• Recognize the signs and symptoms of an insect or sea creature bite or sting, and administration of appropriate first aid, and when to call for emergency care.
• Recognize complications arising from insect or sea creature bites or stings, and diseases that may be transmitted.
• Prevent many bites or stings.
• Identify types of reptiles and amphibian that are capable of bites, and the types of bites of which these creatures are capable (i.e. venomous vs. non-venomous snakebites).
• Recognize signs and symptoms of reptile and amphibian bites, including symptoms of venomous bites, and administer appropriate first aid.
• Understand the complications that can arise from a reptile or amphibian bite.
• Prevent many bites from reptiles or amphibians.
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