1) Introduction To Spider Bite First Response

It may be easy to think that effective medical treatment of a spider bite is easy. Just get the patient to a hospital and the best possible outcome will ensue. However, it is not that simplistic. There is a long and often complicated chain of events that needs to occur, for effective management of any spider bite.

It takes a first responder to jump in and assist in the heat of the moment. It takes someone to identify the symptoms as a spiderbite, someone to identify the spider, someone to transport the patient to a medical facility. It takes hospital staff, doctors and specialists, venom suppliers, antivenom manufacturers and after-care staff. Between these links, are decisions that have to be made, decisions that result in actions that keep the momentum of treatment moving forward towards a favourable outcome.

In a patient’s moment of need, the first responder is the person they look to for assistance and help. This acceptance of taking control of the situation may or may not have consequences and should not be taken lightly.

As a first responder you play an important role as the first person on the scene, and as the person who has a profound influence on what happens downstream from the bite. This is a vital role that should not be underestimated.

If you accept the responsibility of a first responder, then never forget that your actions can reduce the severity of symptoms, dramatically reduce the recovery time (and cost) and in rare instances prevent death. On the flip side, your actions can have the opposite affect. Understanding these responsibilities will help you focus on the task at hand. First response is not about you as the first responder. It is 100% about the patient.

Reading this page you may get the idea that first response is simple. In a perfect world... just follow the advice, step by step and everything will be fine! However there are always obstacles that hamper or prevent effective first response such as the following:

• Spider bite misdiagnosis is rife!
• Spider misidentification.
• No one is sure if it is a spider bite.
• No one knows what to do.
• The patient is being uncooperative.
• Someone is adamant about performing ineffective or harmful first aid procedures.
• The location of the nearest medical facility is not known.
• No one can find the car keys.
• The cellphone battery is flat and you cannot call for help.
• The nearest medical facilities is very far away.
• The only vehicle has 2 flat tires.

Effective first response is about adapting what you know according to the circumstances. It is all about keeping calm, maintaining a clear head, remembering the basics and making the most of the situation.