If someone is experiencing serious or life-threatening symptoms following a bite or sting, such as collapse, cardiac arrest, or anaphylactic shock, call Triple Zero (000) for help. Follow the St John DRSABCD Action Plan while you are waiting for help to arrive. 

If the patient is carrying an adrenaline auto-injector (sometimes known as an EpiPen® or Anapen®) for severe allergy or anaphylaxis, administer it without delay. 

For insect bites and stings: 

Get the patient comfortable. For bee or wasp stings, remove the sting by scraping it sideways with a flat object (such as a card) or fingernail. Then, clean the area. 

For tick bites, take hold of the tick as close to the skin as possible and gently pull it away. Do not attempt to remove the tick if the patient is experiencing an allergic reaction. 

Apply ice or an ice pack wrapped in a damp cloth to the area for 15 minutes. Repeat every 2 hours for the first 24 hours after the sting. 

Monitor the person’s symptoms. 

For snake bites: 

Call Triple Zero (000) for help, even if you think the snake is not venomous. 

• Follow the DRSABCD Action Plan. 
• Get the patient comfortable on their back, rest, and reassure them. 
• If the bite is on a limb, apply a broad pressure bandage over the bite site as soon as possible. 
• Then apply a further elasticised or firm bandage – start at the fingers or toes and move up the limb as far as can be reached. Apply tightly but without stopping blood flow. 
• Splint the limb including the joints on either side of the bite. 
• Write down the time that the person was bitten and when the bandage was applied. 
• Monitor the patient’s symptoms. If they become unconscious, perform CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and defibrillation if possible.