First Aid – Spider Bites
Spider bites are typically minor issues, but they can be more serious. And that’s especially true in the U.S. if the spider is a black widow, a brown recluse, or a hobo spider. In this course, you’ll learn basic first aid for minor spider bites. In addition, you’ll learn what black widows, brown recluses, and hobo spiders look like; where in the U.S. they tend to live; the kind of areas they’re commonly found in; why they tend to bite and how to avoid their bites; proper PPE to wear when in an area they may live in; symptoms of their bites; first aid for their bites; and the importance of calling for qualified medical care if one of these three spiders has bitten someone.
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Learning Objectives
• List some ways to avoid being bitten by a spider • List some first aid steps for a person with a minor spider bite • Identify and describe three poisonous spiders found in the United States • Explain where each of those poisonous spiders commonly lives • List some symptoms of bites from three poisonous spiders in the U.S. • Explain proper first aid for serious spider bites from poisonous spiders
Specs
| Course Level | Intermediate |
| Languages | English |
| Compatibility | Audio, Video |
| Based on: | Industry Standards and Best Practices |
Key Questions
Are all spider bites dangerous?
Most are relatively minor, but some can be dangerous.
What dangerous spiders live in the United States?
The spiders to be most cautious of in the United States include the black widow, the brown recluse, and hobo spiders.
What are some good ways to avoid being bitten?
Practice good housekeeping and keep the work area clean/tidy; wear appropriate, long clothing; avoid areas where spiders tend to live; and be cautious and observant when working.
What should a person do if someone’s been bit by a venomous spider?
Apply first aid as directed in this course and get the person to qualified medical assistance.
Sample Video Transcript
Black widow spiders have dark or shiny black bodies and often have a red or orange hourglass-like marking on their belly. In some cases, though, they have a pair of red spots or no markings at all. The body of the female black widow is about half an inch long and it may be about an inch and a half across including the legs. Males are about half that size. The web of a black widow is not the typical symmetrical shape that we associate with spiders. Instead, the web of a black widow is uneven and irregular. Seeing a web like this is a signal to be cautious.
Additional Resources
- WebMD – www.webmd.com
- WebMD First Aid – http://www.webmd.com/first-aid/tc/insect-bites-and-stings-and-spider-bites-topic-overview
- Mayo Clinic – www.mayoclinic.org
- Mayo Clinic First Aid – http://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-spider-bites/basics/ART-20056618
- Mayo Clinic Diseases & Conditions – http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/spider-bites/basics/prevention/CON-20035307
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – www.cdc.gov
- CDC Publications – http://www.cdc.gov/mrsa/pdf/spider_wht.pdf
- The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) www.cdc.niosh.gov
- NIOSH topics – http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/spiders/default.html
Course Applies To
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