That day Ron thought he would do a spot of tidying up on the driveway of his Wherrol Flat property. That decision saw him spending the night in Manning Hospital's intensive care unit.

Just after lunch on the Sunday, Ron was picking up bark and did not see the funnel-web spider hiding underneath the debris.

He knew he was in trouble when he felt instant intense pain on his middle finger.

Ron's wife Joy came to the rescue with a bandage and a cookie jar - the bandage to apply the correct first aid to her husband, the cookie jar to catch the spider that had attacked him.

But first she had to rush 600 metres up the hill to the house to get what she needed, including the dog and the car.

Joy said she was surprised that even though she was in a flat panic she remembered the first aid skills she learned a long time ago.

Knowing time is of the essence with funnel-web bites, Joy began driving Ron to hospital in Taree, ringing 000 on the way. She was told the paramedics would have to come from Forster, so she made the decision to continue driving Ron to Manning Hospital herself rather than pull over and wait for an ambulance to show up.

When the Curry's arrived at the hospital Ron was starting to feel the effects of the deadly spider bite.

"My lips and tongue were trembling, and I was aching all up the arm," he said.

Joy gave the trapped spider to emergency staff and it was identified as a male funnel-web spider. The Curry's left the spider there - still alive.

"I didn't want the mongrel thing!" Ron said.

He was immediately put into intensive care where he was treated with an intravenous drip, underwent numerous tests and monitored overnight.

Ron has recovered from his potentially life-threatening ordeal and is back at home.

"I never wear gloves, but I will from now on!" Ron said.

Male funnel-web spiders are on the move this time of year while they seek mates.

The Australia Museum says that all of the 13 recorded deaths from funnel web bites, male Sydney funnel-web spiders are 'probably responsible'. No deaths have been recorded since the development of an antivenom in 1981.

Sydney funnel-web spiders are not seen this far north, meaning Ron was most probably bitten by a southern tree funnel-web spider, which is still one of the most dangerous spiders in the world.

The spiders like to burrow in moist sheltered habitats, such as rocks, rotting logs, crevices, and holes in rough-barked trees.

Their webs have a distinctive funnel shape, and what distinguishes them from other funnel-shaped webs are trip lines radiating out from the funnel entrance.

According to the Australian Museum website, "The exposed web surface tunnel [of the southern tree funnel-web spider] is disguised by a covering of bark or wood particles. There are often two entrances, each with trip-lines running out across the bark.".

First aid for funnel-web spider bites is the same as for snake bite. Application of a compression bandage and immobilisation of the affected limb is important.

To apply a compression bandage for a spider or snake bite wrap the bandage, as firmly as you would for a sprained ankle, beginning at the site of the bite and working up the entire limb.

A rigid splint should be used to stop the limb from moving.

Symptoms commence 15-20 minutes after being bitten.

Seek immediate medical attention and, if possible, keep the spider for identification purposes.

(from the Australian Museum website)

For more information about funnel web spiders visit www.australianmuseum.net.au/funnel-web-spiders-group.

julia.driscoll@fairfaxmedia.com.au