Epipen or Benadryl

[B+.]

Worth BKAs exploring this.

Bedfordshire BKA arranged the training through Andrea Woolley which has subsequently been picked up by a number of BKAs (and Bee Craft). I have to say that I was disappointed. It lasted about 4 hours and less than half of that was specifically anaphylaxis training (the remainder being general heart attack / recovery training).
The point I would make is don't be satisfied with half-hearted lip-service courses. Find out as much as you can and be prepared to act. One day it could be someone you love.

to go on about this but this is one subject I will not compromise on.

 

[For want of a better word]

ABSOLUTELY NO APOLOGIES NEEDED B+

There must be an initiative for proper information and training for beekeepers, and this could easily be lead by local associations...


.... Let's say I am working on it for The South West!

Yeghes da

 

[BeeJayBee]

The point I would make is don't be satisfied with half-hearted lip-service courses. Find out as much as you can and be prepared to act. One day it could be someone you love.

to go on about this but this is one subject I will not compromise on.

I don't blame you at all, nobody would, but what are the rest of us meant to do? We can only work with what is available and, generally, what can be provided fairly cheaply because not many associations are rich enough to be able to buy in expensive training courses. Surely 'something' is better than 'nothing'?

For the future, and maybe something you could work on, is how beekeeper first aid and anaphylaxis training could be improved and made accessible to all, even if it's only web based?

 

[GlenJ]

Here's an idea, every association should have a qualified first aider that can give instruction to all new beekeepers so that they can help people stricken by their new "pets". I only employ 5 people and have to look after them if they have a misadventure with anything - I guess the same applies to bee-farmers who employ - the more I think about it the more I'm surprised that it's not been a normal part of introduction to beekeeping!

 

[B+.]

what are the rest of us meant to do?

One of the points that members of BedsBKA noted was that it is difficult to make a call on modern phones while wearing bee gloves (even nitrile). Also, apiaries are often some distance from the home and in inaccessible places for vehicles. The paramedics can't help the person if a) they can't get to them, b) they would put themselves in danger if its close to an open colony of angry bees. Also, some apiaries are in areas with poor mobile signals so making an emergency call can be difficult.
There are lots of difficulties that you probably don't think about.
From my experience, waiting for an ambulance to arrive is the wrong thing to do. Immediate attention is required which means you need to be trained and ready to act yourself. A person suffering from anaphylaxis quickly loses the ability to communicate and awareness of what is happening to them. If you are at an apiary alone, there is nobody to administer an epipen or call for help.

 

[Dusty Rhodes]

One of the points that members of BedsBKA noted was that it is difficult to make a call on modern phones while wearing bee gloves (even nitrile). Also, apiaries are often some distance from the home and in inaccessible places for vehicles. From my experience, waiting for an ambulance to arrive is the wrong thing to do. Immediate attention is required which means you need to be trained and ready to act yourself. A person suffering from anaphylaxis quickly loses the ability to communicate and awareness of what is happening to them. If you are at an apiary alone, there is nobody to administer an epipen or call for help.

Do people know about the GoodSAM Alerter App for the iPhone/ iPad?? It alerts first aid trained people - to your location in an emergency.

Rather than describe it, check it out.

A

 

[For want of a better word]

Do people know about the GoodSAM Alerter App for the iPhone/ iPad?? It alerts first aid trained people - to your location in an emergency.

Rather than describe it, check it out.

A

Excellent advice ... if you can get a mobile signal


I have one apiary deep in a Cornish valley... probably the one where"Little birds do change their voices" to whence virtuous brides do go.. as in the Cornish folksong... Sweet Nightingale...

Mobiles go dead.. I can not even get a Nav Sat signal there.....

Wonder if a 1000ft distress flare would do it?

I could hopefully stagger to my car and drive 1/4 mile up to the top of the burrough... don't think NT would be very happy about it tho!

Yeghes da

 

[B+.]

GoodSAM Alerter App for the iPhone/ iPad??

Thanks for that Dusty. I am sure it will be of use to some people. However, I must stress again that you need immediate medical attention in anaphylaxsis cases. 5 minutes away is 4 minutes too late.

Isn't it typical? I have a Samsung (Android)!

 

[MartinL]

It looks like it's only a matter of time before some idiot with his/her epipen, stabs & kills some innocent who just happened to be stung, giving the opportunity for their "glory moment".

Leave it to those who have been PROPERLY TRAINED.

 

[MartinL]

I must stress again that you need immediate medical attention in anaphylaxsis cases.

Yes, MEDICAL ATTENTION is the key word there!

Not some nutter on the loose, with their epipen!

 

[B+.]

Leave it to those who have been PROPERLY TRAINED.

You just don't get it, do you?

1. I had to watch my son die because medical attention didn't get to him in time
2. Every doctor I have spoken to on this subject has said that an epipen would have helped him (when questioned further, they said he would have needed more than one)
3. What makes you think doctors give epipens unnecessarily?
4. What makes you think they are prescribed without proper training being given?
5. Have you even bothered to read this thread? I have stressed that epipens are for emergency use and people should educate themselves. I have also said that anaphylaxis happens very quickly. Waiting is the wrong thing to do! Doing nothing is the wrong thing to do!
6. God forbid that this should ever happen to you, or anyone you love, but, if it does, you had better pray that someone with an epipen doesn't follow your advice.

 

[B+.]

If I needed to have an epipen administered to me I would not care who did it, trained or not.

Thank you.

 

[MartinL]

I am fed up of ill informed comments about epipens and anaphylaxis. As a doctor for 40 years, I have had to administer emergency adrenalin three times for anaphylaxis.

Mercifully anaphylaxis does not happen that commonly.

Epipens are prescription only. If you have concerns talk to a medical practitioner.

PS. If I needed to have an epipen administered to me I would not care who did it, trained or not.

But what if some idiot (wielding their cure-all wonder drug), stabs some poor innocent and kills them?

And all merely because someone was stung within the reach of their epipen?

 

[Swarm]

And do you really, honestly see that happening?

 

[dpearce4]

And do you really, honestly see that happening?

Some of the DumbF*cks I work with would love to try an epipen on each other just for the fun of it, or to see if it gave them sort of buzz (no pun intended). I have to keep them in the safe as its the only place they cant get to, which really isn't good if I were to need it in a hurry.

Re ever using it on someone else I will say never ever would I. I don't care what some say on here they are prescribed drugs if I were to use it on someone else and it went wrong it would be worse than not using it. There are other ways of dealing with it as advised to my by A&E which could help someone until the Ambulance arrives.

Oh by the way just in case some don't think I know what im talking about maybe they need to read my thread about desensitization. I spent 8hrs on drips in A&E also on oxygen.

 

[B+.]

But what if some idiot (wielding their cure-all wonder drug), stabs some poor innocent and kills them?

And all merely because someone was stung within the reach of their epipen?

The alternative is to stand there and watch them die. Believe me: you don't want to live with that!

 

[Harley1]

Years ago I used one on someone who had a known allergy. I was terrified but I'd had a word with my GP beforehand and so knew what to do. If I hadn't taken the time to find out I would have been too afraid to try it. I was first aider for a small company but wasn't offered any training. I had to learn about it on my own initiative.
It worked but I hope I never have to do it again.

 

[B+.]

It worked but I hope I never have to do it again.

So do I. It is scary. Any emergency is. That is why you have to be trained before something happens. You don't have time to think. You only have time to apply what you've been taught and hope everything turns out alright

 

[B+.]

But what if some idiot (wielding their cure-all wonder drug), stabs some poor innocent and kills them?

And all merely because someone was stung within the reach of their epipen?

1. It isn't a "cure-all wonder drug". It is 300mcg of adreneline. Enough to make you feel like you'd been running but nowhere near the dose a doctor will give in an emergency.
2. It isn't possible to "stab" someone with it. Epi-pens are auto-injectors. They come in a case and have a protection mechanism that has to be removed before they will function

Your posts show a fundamental lack of knowledge so I'm starting to wonder what your motivation is for discouraging people from getting the training to use one. I even have a test device that doesn't eject a needle which I was given on the course. You can get them from the manufacturers of epi-pens too. They are there to practice with so you have the confidence to use the real one in an emergency.

 

[For want of a better word]

Really does need to be a STICKY on Eppipens!

Yeghes da