Biting, Stinging Things

[+Rideau Rangers]

We are planning a trip to Oz in August - this will be our third visit, but first time caching. We cache with two lads and have learned to be cautious around North America of where to put our hands and when to watch our feet. Past trips to Australia have taught us that things grow bigger there and many small things can be quite dangerous. We will be travelling between Sydney, Dubbo and Brisbane. Any practical safety tips for plants and bugs and things to avoid?

[+Bundyrumandcoke]

If your worried about nasties, wear good leather gloves when delving hands into logs and holes. And a telescopic inspection mirror is useful as well. As for walking through the scrub, make some noise and watch where you are going. Wear decent long pants and long sleved shirts for protection against plants. Most snakes, lizards, and larger nasties are probably more scared of you, than you are of them. Given the chance, they will scamper away.

 

If the absolute worst happens, and you are bitten by a spider or snake, try to catch or kill the culprit, and take it with you when you seek medical aid. Early identification of the offender will hasten administration of antivenom.

 

Enjoy your trip. There is a significant (well by Australian standards) caching community in Brissie, who will no doubt offer assistance if needed when you are there.

Edited January 27, 2007 by Bundyrumandcoke

[+Tangles]

If the absolute worst happens, and you are bitten by a spider or snake, try to catch or kill the culprit, and take it with you when you seek medical aid. Early identification of the offender will hasten administration of antivenom.

 

If you get bitten by a snake leave the bloody thing along and under no circumstances try and catch it as you will be bitten again.

 

If you are walking in the bush you should carry a first aid kit with a bandage long enough to wrap your whole leg from ankle to the top of your thigh. If bitten apply this to the affected limb firmly, and REST (stay still). Don’t try and move and STAY where you are. Send someone for help (with written information of your location) or if you are in area with mobile phone reception dial 000 (or 112) and ask for police and tell them you where bitten by a snake and give them your location. We have very good emergency services and they will come to you no matter where you are.

 

If you are going to be doing any remote areas or walks by yourself you may want to consider hiring an EPRIB. A really good investment is a book called First Aid in the Bush by Bruce Wilson.

 

Enjoy your trip, you will have a great time.

[+Mix]

I just don’t worry about it for the most part, statistically you would have to be very unlucky to die from a bite. Get a bite kit if you think you need it and take your eyes off the GPS and look around every now and then.

[+Rideau Rangers]

Thanks all - it will be cooler this visit so long pants and closed toes will be easier than on previous visits! All good advice.

 

FYI - bundyrumandcoke reminded us of another thing we can hardly wait to get back to - there is NOTHING quite like pure Bundaberg!

Edited January 29, 2007 by Rideau Rangers

[+The Silver Snitch]

If the absolute worst happens, and you are bitten by a spider or snake, try to catch or kill the culprit, and take it with you when you seek medical aid. Early identification of the offender will hasten administration of antivenom.

 

If you get bitten by a snake leave the bloody thing along and under no circumstances try and catch it as you will be bitten again.

 

If you are walking in the bush you should carry a first aid kit with a bandage long enough to wrap your whole leg from ankle to the top of your thigh. If bitten apply this to the affected limb firmly, and REST (stay still). Don’t try and move and STAY where you are. Send someone for help (with written information of your location) or if you are in area with mobile phone reception dial 000 (or 112) and ask for police and tell them you where bitten by a snake and give them your location. We have very good emergency services and they will come to you no matter where you are.

 

If you are going to be doing any remote areas or walks by yourself you may want to consider hiring an EPRIB. A really good investment is a book called First Aid in the Bush by Bruce Wilson.

 

Enjoy your trip, you will have a great time.

[+The Silver Snitch]

Ok second try at posting but feel it is important.

My 9 year old child has just recovered from being bitten by a brown snake!

He was NOT bitten in long grass,the area was fairly clear, we didn't see the snake! The snake obviously felt threatened. (In fact we were at home)

It reared up quite hight to bite him as he was on a low garden wall and was still bitten on the calf below the knee.

Important things to know:

Snake bites don't hurt. He only felt a prick like a pin prick. The wound does not hurt either!

Do not wash or wipe the puncture area. They swab this to find what snake it was. Wrap the ENTIRE LIMB in firm bandages and you will need to carry more than one to achieve this. Imobilse the limb and the person. Keep them calm, (this IS possible if you stay calm and you would be amazed at how calm you can be when your child's life depends upon it.) The venom moves through the tissues NOT the blood stream.

I can't repeat enough KEEP THEM STILL!

We have been very lucky. Don't take snakes lightly having your child bitten is not an expereince I would reccomend.

Snakes are deaf it is not noise you need to make but MOVEMENT! Thumping on the ground , heavy footsteps etc. They feel it and move away. Kids, I think, are a risk as they so quick, have tunnel vision, and are so light when they move.

 

Wear boots and long pants and gloves and if a cache is hidden in what you think is a high risk area forget it! It is NOT worth it!

[+currykev]

 

 

If you can drunk Bundyrumandcoke then you shouldn't worry about anything nastier...it doesn't exist.

 

Edited to say sorry....Bundy/coke on tap is nastier.

Edited February 22, 2007 by currykev