Funnel Web Spider Bite First Aid

funnel web bite first aid


In Australia it is the Funnel Web Spider and Red Back Spider whose bites can cause death. Although the last recorded death was in 1979 due to the development of anti-venom.




Symptoms of a Funnel Web Bite

  • Great pain at the site of the bite.
  • Nausea and abdominal pain follow.
  • Difficulty in breathing and general weakness or numbness of the muscles.
  • Profuse secretions and sweating, along with excessive saliva production.
  • Heavy coughing.
First Aid for Funnel Web bite

First Aid for a Funnel Web Bite

  • If you are bitten by a funnel-web, stay still and apply a pressure bandage to the area then go to the closest emergency hospital for anti-venom.
  • If safe to do so, take the spider to the hospital for identification
  • Usually it is safer to take a photo.

Anti-venom became available in 1980 and since then there have been no deaths from funnel-web bites.

  • DO NOT apply a tourniquet. This cuts blood flow completely and may result in loss of the affected limb.
  • DO NOT give the patient medication including aspirin unless instructed to do so by a medical professional.


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Photo 1 by Ta-graphy
Photo 2 by Sree314's photos

































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