Hyperventilation
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
- rapid respirations       - rapid pulse     - anxiety 
- a feeling of shortness of breath        - blurred vision
- pressure, tightness or pain across the chest 
- In extreme cases which have continued for some time
- ‘tingling’ in fingers and toes 
- hand and finger spasms and pain     - fainting 

CARE AND TREATMENT
- reassurance 
- remove the cause of anxiety if possible 
- if fainted, lay casualty supine with legs elevated 
- ambulance assistance 

 
Fainting
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
-dizziness or feeling light headed             -nausea 
- pale, cool and clammy skin      - anxious          - collapse 
- loss of conscious     - rapid recovery after being laid flat 

CARE AND TREATMENT
Syncope
- if unconscious - stable side position 
- raise the legs if possible 
- if conscious - lie the casualty flat and raise the legs if possible 
- ambulance assistance if not fully recovered in a few minutes 

Heat Syncope
- stable side position 
- cool casualty by fanning 
- loosen and remove excessive clothing 

 
Choking
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
- absence of breathing 
- agitation and distress - grabbing the throat 
- cyanosis 
- eventual collapse 

CARE AND TREATMENT
- position the casualty - adults laterally, children heads down 
- deliver three or four firm slaps between the shoulder blades 
- reassess the casualty's attempts to breathe 
- repeat three or four firm slaps 

**If this fails to free the object and the casualty has collapsed, quickly roll the casualty onto his or her side, place your hands over the ribs, and deliver quick, firm thrusts. This may expel the object through the forcing of residual air from the lungs.

alternate slaps and chest thrusts 

 
Poisoning
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
- pale, cool, clammy skin         - rapid, weak (sometimes erratic) pulse 
- nausea and/or vomiting    - cyanosis         - burns around the mouth 
- blurred vision      - ringing in the ears     - smell of fumes or odours 
- stomach pains or cramps 
- drowsiness, which may lead to unconsciousness 

CARE AND TREATMENT
- Call local Poison Control

 
 
Venomous Bites & Stings
SNAKE BITE:

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS 
- puncture marks, or parallel scratches on the skin - rarely any pain 
- anxiety 
- pale, cool skin with progressive onset of sweating 
- rapid, weak pulse   - rapid, shallow breathing     - breathing difficulties 
- blurred vision, drooping eyelids      - difficulty swallowing and speaking 
- abdominal pain    - nausea and/or vomiting     - headache 
- collapse: progressing to a comatose state 

CARE AND TREATMENT 
- DRABC 
- complete rest 
- apply direct pressure over the bitten area 
- obtain a history 
- DO NOT try to capture the snake 
- DO NOT wash the bitten area, as a venom sample may be obtained 
- DO NOT use an arterial tourniquet 
- DO NOT cut the bite 
- apply a firm bandage (pressure immobilisation bandage) over the bite - wind 
  as far down the limb as possible, then as far up the limb to the armpit or 
  groin immobilise the limb with a splint 
- urgent ambulance transport 
- send any evidence of the snake to the hospital only if safe to do so. 

SPIDER BITE:
Signs and symptoms:
- intense pain at the site of the bite 
- may be localised redness, swelling and sweating 
- nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain      - rapid pulse    
- rapid, shallow breathing 

Treatmeant:
See above for snake/consult physcian

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