Be careful out there. (Contains biting Critters and OH&S)

I've had some bad experiences with Jumping Jacks too although not as bad as your Dad. The first thing you notice is wierd movements in your peripheral vision, then 1 sting then 2 stings then run!
The average bullant makes my foot swell to twice its size, I should carry anti-histamines.
 
goldpelican said:
If you get stung or bitten by anything, one of the worst things you can do is have a hot shower afterwards - it was suggested afterwards that him having a shower about 20 minutes after being stung (happened while doing framework, came inside to shower before dinner) triggered the anaphylaxis.
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Cool water or ice (but not applied directly to skin) would have been better. A cold shower would be the go. Minimising or ceasing physical activity would be better. Better to stand still in shower than be soaping and shampooing etc which has your blood pumping.

In my experience if you dont stop physical activity after being bitten it will cause toxins to spread more rapidly and cause extra swelling and symptoms. Ive been bitten by a jumping jack or a bullant and (after a few minutes of swearing and stripping clothes off as required) continued detecting. Swelling and discomfort lasts many days longer than if proper first aid was applied. A pressure bandage over the bite also slows movement of toxins. Never use a torniquet! It cuts off bloodflow entirely and can cause tissue death...not good.

Pain from bites can last for a couple of weeks or much longer if badly affected. The itchiness is what drives me around the bend. Usually kicks in around 2 days after bite and can last for a couple of weeks.
 
A quick word on snakes , was in The collie area wa.and came across a large tiger snake about 8to10 away meters during mating season ,with a display of anger the bludger came straight at me intent on sharing his,her nasty disposition. I made a strategic retreat at speed ,have been told the Kimberly taipan will do the same during mating.for all the time I've spent in the bush once is not a drama though I do look where I'm going.cheers
 
REDBACK said:
"Bush medicine tip - chopping about a foot off a petrol siphon hose makes a great emergency endotracheal tube - speaking from experience"!

Now i know why they call you GP!

REDBACK

Cant remember where i heard it maybe deadliest creatures-But the Jumping jack was responsible for an amazing amount of deaths due to its toxic venom.
My wife got stung by a fire ant in Noosa area,she was in a lot of pain.
Its not wise to tell your wife to tuffen up immediately after getting bitten by a 5mm creature then watch her go thru the shakes and have an allergic reaction.Open sandals on mountain hikes is something she doesn't do anymore!
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I have to agree with the pain from a fire ant . I was hanging out with my neighbour in qld having a couple of cold ones when one bit me & i was saying jesus that thing stung like a bee & saying it was burning like nothing ive had before & my neighbour was a huge man about 6foot six & close to 200 kgs was calling me a sook saying it cant be that bad & was giving me a pasting for it when a couple bit him on the foot & he was saying its not that bad until the pain kicked in he was right with me whinging & complaining saying i wasnt acting after all . He went red stomping his foot on the ground swearing at them :lol:. We called the local council & they came in & found the nest & treated it . Unbeleivable for such a small ant .
 
Completely unrelated to prospecting but a mate of mine went skiing in NSW and after a big night out at the resort he woke up the next morning and found he was being held captive by a snow badger.
 
Run across this little critter today
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After previously downplaying the danger posed by snakes in Central Vic I am now having a change of heart.

Seems conditions are ideal for a snakey summer and there are plenty of them around.

Be careful out there.
 
Yep, it sure is snake season.

Saw a Copperhead on Saturday in the bush near Beaufort, Vic. It darted in front of me when I was detecting. It was about 1.5 metres (5 feet) long and had its neck flattened like a Cobra.

I buggered off in the opposite direction. Couldnt get back to the car quick enough for an International Roast to calm my nerves.
 
Where I detected on Sat there were also heaps of Jumping Jack ants.

When there's a lot of ants around I spray my gumboots with insect repellent. Works well.

Another thing you can spray on your gumboots or other non-porous footwear is insect surface spray. Kills the little buggers.
 
Clawhammer said:
I was out in Yowie Country today when a Bunya Nut came crashing down.

Imagine one of these 10KG bad-boys landing on your bonce. A cannonball like this would crack your coconut quicker than Full-Moon party tequila.

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Nice bunyas.
 
I read somewhere about a doctor at a hospital saying that snakes often do not inject venom when they strike as it takes them a long time to make a new batch. They said that the only time that he sees people at the hospital that are poisoned are when they show up with multiple bite marks and a dead snake. Last year a reptile specialist told me that snakes cannot see you as any kind of threat unless you are moving and the best way to deal with a snake nearby was to just stand still. He said that the best way to get bitten was to try and kill the snake.
 
Since switching to coin detecting the main critters ive dealt with have been wasps. No bites but they're still a big nuisance.

Broken glass and dog shit now pose the greatest threats to my health and wellbeing, used to be ant nests and mineshafts. :lol:
 
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