How many of you saw the record-breaking ‘Hercules’, who was handed into the staff at The Australian Reptile Park recently, to join the funnel web spider venom program? If the size of those fangs isn’t enough to make you want to learn the first aid for funnel-web bites (or possibly move overseas), nothing will be!
Funnel webs are typically found in eastern Australia, with species like the Sydney funnel-web (Atrax robustus) being particularly notorious for their venomous bites. These spiders create silk-lined burrows with a distinctive funnel-shaped entrance, hence their name.
These hairy little beasts love humidity – and with this hot and wet summer we are experiencing, it is vital to know how to respond if you or your little one is bitten.
Prevention
Firstly, here are some practical tips to help minimise the risk of a funnel-web bite:
- Be Vigilant in Spider-Prone Areas: Funnel webs often inhabit damp and shaded areas. Exercise caution in gardens, woodpiles, or other places where these spiders might build their burrows – and encourage kids to avoid potential burrows, which includes poking sticks/little fingers in and around them. Don’t forget to check the pool – funnel web spiders can survive underwater for up to 30 hours!
- Wear Protective Clothing: When gardening or spending time in areas where funnel webs might reside, consider wearing long sleeves, pants, and enclosed shoes to minimise skin exposure.
- Shake Out Clothing and Shoes: Before putting on clothes or shoes, especially if they have been left outside, give them a good shake to dislodge any hiding spiders.
Recognition
Identifying a funnel web spider bite is crucial for prompt and appropriate treatment. Keep an eye out for the following signs:
- bad pain
- lots of sweating
- nausea and vomiting (feeling and being sick)
Other symptoms that you may have include:
- drooling
- difficulty breathing
- confusion
- numbness
- tingling
- twitching of your mouth and tongue
Response
In the unfortunate event of a funnel web spider bite, swift action is necessary, using the pressure immobilisation technique:
How to apply a pressure-immobilisation bandage
From NSW Posions:
- Call 000.
- Keep the person who has been bitten as still as possible. If possible, lie the patient down to prevent walking or moving around.
- Apply a firm bandage over the bitten area (preferably use a wide elasticised bandage if available)
- Then bandage the entire limb (fingers to shoulder or toes to the hip) – the bandage should be as tight as for a sprained ankle.
- Apply a rigid splint to the limb (piece of wood, branch, or rolled up paper)
- Keep still await the arrival of the ambulance for transport to the emergency department of the nearest hospital.
You can watch our reel that gives a quick demo of the Pressure Immobilisation Technique in practice, here.
This technique is recommended for;
- bites from all Australian snakes, including sea snakes
- funnel web spider bites
- blue-ringed octopus stings
- cone shell stings
It is not recommended for;
- spider bites other than a funnel web spider (such as red-back spiders)
- jellyfish stings
- stonefish and other fish stings
- bee, wasp and ant stings
- stings from scorpions, centipedes, beetles
P.I.T TIPS –
👉🏼 It is vital to be calm and to keep your child as calm as possible, to slow the spread of venom.
👉🏼 No pressure bandage? Use clothes instead! (we recommend purchasing a few pressure bandages, remember – adults often require 2!)
👉🏼 Don’t wash the bite area. In the hospital, the staff may swab the bite site with a venom detection kit.
👉🏼 It is also important to not cut the bite area to ‘bleed’ out the venom or to try and suck it out. This will not help.
👉🏼 Download the Australian Bites and Stings App to learn more and learn step-by-step how to apply a pressure bandage
We also recommend downloading our free Spider Bite guide to keep on your phone, and printing it out to stick to the fridge for quick reference 🕷
You can watch our full video on the first aid for funnel-web spider bites, here.
And don’t forget – we have a snake + spider bite first aid kit available for purchase in the CPR Kids shop!
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