Starter Activity

Your turn:
Treating bites
Use your current first aid knowledge to explain what you could do for each of the 5 steps. Number the images to show which
step they belong to
Step 1. Step 2. Step 3.

Step 4. Step 5.
Bites and stings

KS2 – Bites and Stings

Bites and stings

A short course to learn

how to help someone
who has just been bitten
or stung.
Learning outcomes

➤ I can identify when a casualty is having an allergic reaction

to a bite or sting

➤ I can provide first aid treatment for a casualty who has

been bitten or stung

➤ I can comfort and reassure a casualty who has been bitten

or stung

➤ I can seek medical help if required

Bites
➤ Bites or stings in the mouth or throat are potentially dangerous
because swelling can obstruct the airway
➤ Bites from some snakes, spiders and mosquitoes can cause serious
illness, and may be fatal
➤ Ticks are tiny creatures that attach to animals and humans to bite into
the skin to suck blood, they carry disease, so should be removed as
soon as possible
➤ Be alert and watch for signs of an allergic reaction, which may lead the
casualty to suffer anaphylactic shock
Stings
➤ Stings are painful and can also be dangerous, scorpion and jellyfish
stings can be fatal
➤ An initial sharp pain is followed by swelling, redness and soreness,
venomous creatures may produce a lot of pain and swelling
➤ Multiple insect stings can produce a serious reaction
➤ A sting in the mouth or throat is potentially dangerous because
swelling can obstruct the airway
➤ With any sting it is important to watch for signs of an allergic reaction,
which can lead to anaphylactic shock
Bites A21
Question:
➤ Name 5 things that could bite you

Question:
➤ What sort of injury could you get
from a bite? (consider the teeth in
the pictures opposite to get an
idea)

*See worksheet on slide 20

Stings
Answer and discuss the following:

➤ Name 5 things that could sting

you

➤ Describe what it might feel like to

be stung

➤ What might it look like when you

have been stung?
Bites and stings charades A20
You can now play a fun game
with activity A20. This activity allows
students to identify creatures that may
bite or sting. To complete this use our
downloadable worksheet found on the St
John Ambulance website.
What can go wrong?
Allergic Reaction Infection
➤ An allergic reaction can occur ➤ Bites from sharp teeth can
from a bite or sting. This can be cause deep puncture wounds
really dangerous for the that can damage tissues and
casualty. It may cause problems put germs inside of the body.
with their airway and breathing.
➤ Any bite that breaks the skin
➤ If there are any other signs of a needs urgent medical attention.
severe allergic reaction
Q: What are the signs
(anaphylaxis) you should seek of an allergic
urgent medical attention. reaction?
Signs of an allergic reaction…
How many of these answers did you get?

Swelling of hands,
face, lips, tongue Rapid pulse
etc. 2 3

Rash
Difficulty 1
breathing 3
Feeling dizzy
2

Feeling sick Abdominal pain

2
3

Itching
1
Your turn:
Severe allergic reaction
1. Call 999/112 2. Ask the casualty if they have an
tell them you think injection with them
someone is having people with allergies often carry an
an allergic reaction injection of adrenaline (autoinjector)
with them; if so help them use it
help the casualty to sit in a position
which helps their breathing

3. Keep checking their breathing and 4. Stay with them

keep them calm Remember: your casualty
look at their breathing and listen for could become unresponsive. Be
any changes prepared to start CPR
reassure them that help is on the way
a second injection can be given after
5 minutes if no improvement
if they become pale and weak, lie
them down with legs raised
Your turn:
Treating bites
1. Reassure the 2. Clean 3. Raise and
casualty Support the
Wash the wound
wound
Help them to sit thoroughly with
or lie down soap and water Then pat dry with
to minimise the clean gauze swabs
risk of infection

4. Cover bite 5. Extra help

Use a sterile If the wound is large
wound dressing or deep arrange for
the casualty to be
taken to hospital
For other bites that
pierce the skin seek
medical advice
 Your turn:
Treating stings
1. Reassure the 2. Remove the sting 3. Raise affected
casualty area
If a sting is visible,
Help them to brush or scrape it Apply a cold
sit or lie down sideways with the compress to
edge of a card or your minimise swelling
fingernail

4. Keep cold compress in 5. Call 999 or 112

place for at least 10 If casualty shows signs
minutes. of severe allergic reaction
Monitor vital signs and watch Remember: Your casualty
for signs of an allergic could become unresponsive.
reaction e.g. wheezing and/or Be prepared to perform CPR
itchy, swollen, red skin
 Your turn:
Treating tick bites
1. Reassure 2. Remove the tick 3. Gently pull head
the casualty Using tweezers, upwards
Help them to grasp ticks head as Using steady even
sit or lie close to casualty’s pressure.
down skin as you can Do not jerk the tick as it
may leave the mouth
parts embedded

4. Save the tick 5. Seek medical advice

Keep the tick for The casualty should take
identification the tick with them as it may
Place it in a sealed plastic be required for analysis
bag and give to the
casualty
Casualty care
Pause for thought...
Which actions do you think are most important when caring for a casualty?

No food
Get help
or drink

Prevent
condition
Remain worsening
calm

Keep
warm
Treat with
dignity and Reassure
respect casualty
Communicate
well
Check your learning
I am able to: YES NO

➤ Identify when someone is having an allergic

reaction to a bite or a sting

➤ Give first aid for a bite or a sting

➤ Call for help correctly, if it is necessary

Information and support
If any of the content in this session has upset or concerned you please
discuss this with one of the teachers at your school

Further support can be found at:

www.childline.org.uk
www.youngminds.org.uk
www.samaritans.org

Further information linked to first aid can be found at:

www.sja.org.uk
www.asthma.org.uk
Thank you!
Activity A20
Bites and stings charades

I may sting!

I may bite!
Activity A21
Causes of a bite injury
1. Bite from a _____________­­___
The injury could be mild / severe *
because…
____________________________
5. Bite from a _____________­­___ ____________________________
The injury could be mild / severe * ____________________________
because… 2. Bite from a _____________­­___
_____________________________ The injury could be mild / severe *
____________________________ ______________________________
____________________________ because…
____________________________ *circle as appropriate
____________________________
_____________________________ ____________________________
______________________________ ____________________________
_____________________________
*circle as appropriate ______________________________
*circle as appropriate

5 things that could

give you a bite injury
4. Bite from a _____________­­___ 3. Bite from a _____________­­___
The injury could be mild / severe * The injury could be mild / severe *
because… because…
____________________________ ____________________________
____________________________ ____________________________
____________________________ ____________________________
_____________________________ _____________________________
______________________________ ______________________________
*circle as appropriate
*circle as appropriate
Your turn:
Treating bites
1. Reassure the 2. Clean 3. Raise and
casualty Support the
Wash the wound
wound
Help them to sit thoroughly with
or lie down soap and water Then pat dry with
to minimise the clean gauze swabs
risk of infection

4. Cover bite 5. Extra help

Use a sterile If the wound is large
wound dressing or deep arrange for
the casualty to be
taken to hospital
For other bites that
pierce the skin seek
medical advice
 Your turn:
Treating stings
1. Reassure the 2. Remove the sting 3. Raise affected
casualty area
If a sting is visible,
Help them to brush or scrape it Apply a cold
sit or lie down sideways with the compress to
edge of a card or your minimise swelling
fingernail

4. Keep cold compress in 5. Call 999 or 112

place for at least 10 If casualty shows signs
minutes. of severe allergic reaction
Monitor vital signs and watch Remember: Your casualty
for signs of an allergic could become unresponsive.
reaction e.g. wheezing and/or Be prepared to perform CPR
itchy, swollen, red skin
 Your turn:
Treating tick bites
1. Reassure 2. Remove the tick 3. Gently pull head
the casualty Using tweezers, upwards
Help them to grasp ticks head as Using steady even
sit or lie close to casualty’s pressure.
down skin as you can Do not jerk the tick as it
may leave the mouth
parts embedded

4. Save the tick 5. Seek medical advice

Keep the tick for The casualty should take
identification the tick with them as it may
Place it in a sealed plastic be required for analysis
bag and give to the
casualty