Bluebottle Treatment Protocol

Up until recently, the Australian Resuscitation Council’s Treatment Protocol for Non-tropical Bluebottle stings was ice. Due to further research, the Treatment Protocol has been changed to hot water (no hotter than the rescuer can comfortably tolerate) rather than ice, as this has proven more effective in ceasing the pain of the sting.

The current Treatment Protocol for Non-tropical Bluebottles is as follows:

1. Do not allow rubbing of the stung area

2. Remove any adhering tentacles

3. Rinse area well with sea water (not freshwater – freshwater will cause extra stinging cells within the tentacles to fire onto the patient’s skin)

4. Place stung area in hot water (no hotter than rescuer can comfortably tolerate)

5. If pain is unrelieved by heat, or if hot water is not available, apply ice

6. If symptoms persist or worsen, strongly encourage stung victims to seek medical aid

PLEASE REMEMBER:

• If hot water is available on the beach (i.e. showers are available at the surf club), but the pain fails to lessen with the application of heat - apply ice.

• Should that fail and symptoms persist or worsen, strongly advise the stung victim to seek medical aid.

• In the event that hot water is not available on the beach (i.e. surf club does not have hot water showers) victims should be advised to go home and shower in hot water (sending them off with ice).

• If however home is too far away; or if hot shower at home fails to lessen the pain and symptoms persist or worsen - strongly advise the victims to seek medical aid.

Written by Kirra SLSC
Friday, 27 November 2009 12:54
Up until recently, the Australian Resuscitation Council’s Treatment Protocol for Non-tropical Bluebottle stings was ice. Due to further research, the Treatment Protocol has been changed to hot water (no hotter than the rescuer can comfortably tolerate) rather than ice, as this has proven more effective in ceasing the pain of the sting. The current Treatment Protocol for Non-tropical Bluebottles is as follows: 1. Do not allow rubbing of the stung area 2. Remove any adhering tentacles 3. Rinse area well with sea water (not freshwater – freshwater will cause extra stinging cells within the tentacles to fire onto the patient’s skin) 4. Place stung area in hot water (no hotter than rescuer can comfortably tolerate) 5. If pain is unrelieved by heat, or if hot water is not available, apply ice 6. If symptoms persist or worsen, strongly encourage stung victims to seek medical aid PLEASE REMEMBER: • If hot water is available on the beach (i.e. showers are available at the surf club), but the pain fails to lessen with the application of heat - apply ice. • Should that fail and symptoms persist or worsen, strongly advise the stung victim to seek medical aid. • In the event that hot water is not available on the beach (i.e. surf club does not have hot water showers) victims should be advised to go home and shower in hot water (sending them off with ice). • If however home is too far away; or if hot shower at home fails to lessen the pain and symptoms persist or worsen - strongly advise the victims to seek medical aid.
Last Updated ( Friday, 27 November 2009 12:59 )