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Funnel Web spiders – here’s what to do if you or your child are bitten.
You may have seen in the media over the past few days that Funnel Webs are on the move – The Australian Reptile Park has “reported a big increase in the number of deadly funnel-web spiders it receives – and it says they are the largest specimens they have ever handled”
The park has issued a warning to the public after a record number of male funnel-webs were handed in during the Christmas period, general manager Tim Faulkner said.
The important thing to remember if you come across one of these hairy mini-beasts is to stay calm and know what to do in case of being bitten. It is an urban myth that funnel webs can jump, however, the aggressive males can rear up and look like they are about to launch! Watch our video below for what to do if someone is bitten.
Signs of funnel-web spider bite MAY include:
visible puncture wounds
pain at the bite site
swelling and redness
numbness in or around the mouth
nausea or vomiting, abdominal pain
excessive saliva and sweating
difficulty breathing
drowsiness
fast heart rate
muscle spasms
strange tongue movements
If you or your child (or another person!) are bitten, use the pressure immobilisation technique:
stay calm. Keep the victim calm and still – this helps to slow the flow of venom
call 000 – ambulance
apply a broad pressure bandage ASAP – start at the bottom of the limb (eg toes) and wind firmly to the top of the limb (eg hip) – watch our video below for a demonstration
once the bandage is applied, splint the limb to stop movement
