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ANAPHYLACTIC SHOCK - WHAT TO DO
Bee sting anaphylactic shock is rare and you may never see it, but if you know what to do you can quickly and calmly swing into action.

a) Ring for an ambulance, or send someone to ring for an ambulance. If you are alone with the patient do the first aid and positioning described below and then go to phone for an ambulance.

b) Give the address of the house or farm clearly and then give the grid reference if known.

c) Say it is a bee sting reaction. This will alert the paramedics to have adrenaline ready.

  1. Move the patient away from the hives.

d) Scrape out the sting/s as soon as possible in order to stop any further injection of venom.

e) Position the patient:

I) Conscious patient. Loosen tight clothing at the waist and neck. Sit him/her on the ground, leaning against a wall, tree or the side of a car.

Make the patient as comfortable as possible to help their breathing (see illustration). The patient may be short of breath, feeling sick or feeling faint, and may be very frightened. Stay with the patient, talk quietly and encourage him/her to breathe in and out regularly.

 

 ii) Unconscious patient. If the patient becomes unconscious, loosen tight clothing and place him/her in the recovery position (see illustration) on their side

 

 

  • tilt the head back for a good airway
  • uppermost leg across with knee and lower leg on the ground to support the position.
  • underneath arm behind the back.
  • check that he/she is breathing.
  • check that he/she has a pulse in the side of the neck.
  • if you have help with you, send a beekeeper in a white suit out to the gate to flag down the ambulance.
  • do not give the patient food or drink.
  • do not give the patient any medication.

If the patient’s heart stops or the breathing stops, resuscitation should be given by a trained first-aider. Remember, anaphalactic shock is very rare, but if it does happen, this quick and calm procedure is essential.

Post these instructions in your apiary shed in a prominent place. Include the address, post code of the home/farm, grid reference and telephone number, if there is one.

Also directions to the nearest phone.

Write out this same information about the apiary site on a card and put it in a packet beside the instruction sheet. The telephoner can grab this card and take it to the nearest phone to inform the ambulance service.

Dr Veronica McWatters MRCS LRCP