snaps

Life on the beach is not going to be quite as expected, I thought NZ was clear of the things that torment and tease the mind.
Anyway here is the treatment I believe for this latest creature the Katipo spider.
Treatment is based on the severity of the bite; the majority of cases do not require medical care and patients with localised pain, swelling and redness usually only require local application of ice and routine analgesics. Hospital assessment is recommended if simple analgesia does not resolve local pain or clinical features of systemic envenoming occur. In more severe bites, Redback antivenom can be given.Redback antivenom can also cross-neutralise katipo venom,and it is used to treat envenoming from Latrodectus katipo in New Zealand. It is available from most major New Zealand hospitals. Antivenom will usually relieve symptoms of systemic envenoming and is indicated in anyone suffering symptoms consistent with Latrodectus envenoming. Unlike some other antivenoms, it is not limited to patients with signs of severe, systemic envenoming.Particular indications for using antivenom are local then generalised pain, sweating or hypertension. However, good evidence to support the effectiveness of widow spider antivenoms is lacking and studies have cast some doubt on antivenoms efficacy in latrodectism. Pain relief agents, such as parenteral opiates, or benzodiazepines may be required as adjunct agents.

Bellasmum

Snap the west coast beaches can be quite dangerous but most have active surf life saving patrols. The wisest thing to do is to swim between the flags.

http://www.watersafety.org.nz/about-us/

http://www.coromandelbeaches.co.nz/

http://www.avalonsguide.com/anab/200...-beaches-safe/

There have been 44 shark attacks recorded in New Zealand since 1847, 11 of them fatal. The last confirmed shark fatality was in 1976 at Te Kaha in the Bay of Plenty.
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/shar...xperts-5355344

snaps

Thanks. I have a good read in the morning.

Bellasmum

My apologies - this had not occurred at the time of the shark attack article was put together.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/ar...ectid=10869124

britsinnz

http://www.rotorualakes.co.nz/lake_c...ealth_warnings

This site will keep you updated on whether or not lakes around Rotorua are safe or not. Toxic algae can be a problem for waterways here in the summer months , especially for dogs, so best check before plunging in like we did in the beginning.

BEVS

Our own lake Rotorua is known for black plagues of protected sandflies. Our other lake Rotoiti is home to a gazillion eels.

jmh

LOL - I'm glad I didn't know about all of these dangers when I grew up here.

Bellasmum

Me too

BEVS

I knew about the dangers of an undertow/rip as a child. Not to swim out of ones depth . About surge waves into rocks and not to swim too close to pier piles. I also knew that a weaverfish could lurk to sting you and that it was very painful if it did. That some beaches were not for swimming. That you stayed away from cliff edges.
Something my parents and , I think, everyone instilled in their kids. We all knew what was what. Mind you , we lived in a seaside resort & by miles of great coastline so I suppose it was just good sense.

chocolate cake

Not common by any means, but there was a confirmed fatal shark attack off Muriwai Beach, West Auckalnd in Feb this year
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/8957...t-be-prevented

oceane01

[QUOTE=Tom1983;11019502]

Another thing to be careful of about beaches - especially along New Brighton is those Katipo spiders. I've seen quite a few strolling round the dune areas. You get bitten by one of those, ouch - ambulance immediately

See I got told NO poisonous spideys too

bourbon-biscuit

The rip tides and the strength of the waves are what bother me. I think before I moved her I was guilty of imagining beaches like on the Med.

Stormer999

Ah the Med...swimming through the motions as is known...

MrsFychan

OH told me that they really only have earthquakes on the SI. what complete and utter tosh..
As for the spiders don't think they can actually kill you but can make you very ill

just do a Google image search for White Tail spider bites

BEVS

That happens here too unfortunately. Especially after heavy rains . One time the local recreational beach to us was closed for ages. When it re-opened some areas remained cordoned off for weeks.

I'll go along with what someone else has written. Even though I had been here twice before, I suppose I thought the more recreational beaches & sea would be similar to those of the SW UK or places in the Med. Blue flag, safe swimming and all that. The reality is that it is not like that. Not around here anyway. The rips are fierce. The waves beautiful but buffeting. Can lift you off your feet. It doesn't help that this area is very tidal of course.

Don't get me wrong. People do swim but really you need to pick your time and tide.