A Novel Science Based Approach To Scorpion Sting First Response

Scorpions are iconic and truly enigmatic creatures, more recognisable than any Hollywood movie star, yet the average person knows very little about them. Their reputation is steeped in mystery, misinformation and old wives tales, with mankind morbidly fixated upon just one aspect of their natural history; their venom.

With all of these challenges, it is easy to understand why so many people incorrectly believe that the smaller scorpions are more venomous than larger scorpions, or the red ones are more venomous than the black ones. Why so many people believe that applying lemons, tomatoes, vinegar, milk, drinking petrol or alcohol, or electrocuting, burning or cutting the sting site or using a suction device,  are effective at treating a scorpion sting, yet none of these are even remotely effective. Why people believe that planting lavender, mint, garlic, or pouring petrol, urine or acid is going to deter scorpions from an area, when they have no influence on scorpion activity.

In the 1960’s, medical research using laboratory animals, scratched the surface as to the secrets of venoms, and how they work. During these early studies, the symptoms experienced by these animals were transcribed onto human physiology, and our baseline understanding developed. 

Today’s research is conducted in a profoundly different way, as it is based upon data collected by poison information helplines, using actual incidences of human envenomation and outcomes on a case by case basis. The details of patients who have been bitten or stung by venomous animals are recorded, collated and stored. The analysis of thousands of incidences and decades worth of data is providing a new understanding that is questioning much of what we previously understood.

By applying this new understanding, I've developed a new innovative framework that is disrupting the current mindset, and replacing it with new ideology. We now have:

• A new classification of symptoms.
• Groups of symptoms that align to first response. 
• Time frames to symptoms. 
• A benchmark for understanding the progression of symptoms.
• An understanding of what time is the seriousness of the scorpion sting event apparent. 
• Factores influencing symptoms severity. 
• When to apply first aid and what are the first aid protocols.
• When to seek professional medical assistance. 
• A step by step guide to managing a scorpion sting. 
• Who to contact for professional medical assistance. 
• New distribution maps of high risk species.
• Online resources that support the Book and Course. 

This integrated approach that is based upon the latest science and more than 20 years of experience assisting medical professionals, patients, presenting at conferences and working with scorpions in Southern Africa.