First Aid Advice For Blue Ringed Octopus Bites

The cephalopod group of creatures are typically known as octopi, which in most cases pose no real threat to humans. However the blue ringed octopus is one of the few octopi that have venom that has the power to paralyze a human's nervous system. They share a love for shallow water with humans, which can sometimes lead to a deadly collision course. Urgent first aid treatment is required in the event of a bite.

The blue ringed octopus shares it love for shallow water with humans. We often find ourselves exploring rock pools or splashing around in low lying reefs, which can sometimes put us on a deadly collision course. The blue ringed is very shy by nature and will never look for confrontation. The only time that it will bite is if it considers itself under threat or if its territory is disturbed. For this reason it is advisable to shuffle your feet when you enter shallow / rocky areas of water, which should scare any octopi away from the area.

The bite itself is not always detectable. Some victims have not realised that they have been bitten, only to then die several days later. It most cases though it will feel like a short, sharp scratch, much like that of a syringe. It is highly feasible that you may not have seen the creature, and will therefore have to rely on the tell-tale symptoms of a bite. After 5-10 minutes the area will start to swell and may feel numb. This can be preceded by changes in vision, nausea and even difficulty in swallowing, which are signs that the venom is taking a grip on the body. It is essential to call the emergency services as soon as you recognise any of these symptoms.

Unfortunately there is no known anti venom for blue ringed octopus bites, which is probably why there have been so many deaths over the years. The only first aid that is feasible is to spot the symptoms of a bite early, and then transfer the casualty to hospital, where they will have the best chance of making a recovery.

It is also advisable to keep a bite victim horizontal and motionless whilst you await the arrival of an ambulance. This can help reduce the flow of venom to other areas of the body. One further technique that can help with this protocol is the use of a pressure immobilization bandage. This type of bandage when tied correctly can stop the venom spreading further up a limb. Typically most bites occur to the feet or to the hands.

The worst case scenario is that the casualty will have stopped breathing in the interim period when you are awaiting the arrival of an ambulance. Early Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) will give them the best possible chance of recovering from a cardiac arrest. This can be further boosted by the application of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), if and when one is available.

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