Premergency First Aid, CPR and AED Manual

7 Bleeding, Wound Care and Trauma

First aid for an insect bite or sting is part of the secondary assessment unless there is any difficulty breathing or signs and symptoms of a severe allergic reaction occur. Carefully assess the area of the bite or sting. If the insect stinger remains embedded in the skin, remove it and any attached poison sac by carefully scraping it away with the edge of a credit card or similar tool. Do not use tweezers or grasp the stinger with anything. This can squeeze more poison into the body and cause a more serious reaction.

First Aider in Action: Part 8 Once you have Anita in the wheelchair, you move her inside. The emergency room is busy, and there is a line of people waiting to speak to the nurse. While you wait, you continue to reassure Anita while you monitor her condition. After a few minutes it is Anita’s turn to speak to the nurse, and you wheel her up to the desk. You introduce Anita and yourself, explaining the method of injury, Anita’s condition, and the first aid you have given her. The nurse then asks Anita some questions and confirms her medical history and symptoms. She takes Anita’s vital signs and examines the dressing and bandage, checking perfusion below the bandage before directing Anita to the waiting room. Should you continue to stay with Anita while she is waiting?

Removing a stinger with a plastic card

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