Snake bite

We feel that all Australians should be taught basic first aid to treat a venemous snake or funnel web spider bite.

Every year in Australia around 3000 people are bitten by snakes.  A  handful of those people die as a result.  Several hundred people receive anti-venom.

Most people believe that snakes are aggressive, but in fact most snakes will try to avoid contact with people. Most snake bites occur because the snake was surprised or because the person was trying to catch or kill it.  Our snake motto is "leave them alone and they will leave you alone."

A brown snake bite can cause you to collapse within half an hour if no first aid is given. Therefore applying immediate first aid is critical.

You should take two bandages with you whenever you go to the park or walk in the bush.  If you don't have a bandage with you, use your clothes instead. 

How to treat a venomous snake bite: 

See diagrams of correct bandaging and splint method:
http://www.avru.org/firstaid/firstaid_pib.html 

See movie of correct bandaging and splint method:
http://www.avru.org/firstaid/firstaid_pibmovie.html 

1. If you have a phone, call an ambulance.

If there are several people with you, send someone immediately to seek help while you bandage and splint the limb.  If you are on your own, first bandage and splint the limb and then seek help. 

2. Reassure the person who was bitten they will be OK.  You don't want them to panic and try to run for help.

3. The crucial first aid is to immediately apply a firm compression bandage and splint to immobilise the limb.  This slows down the passage of the venom through the body. 

Legs: Start by wrapping the bandage firmly at the base of the toes and wrap the bandage up the leg toward the groin, as far up as you can go.  Keep the toes open so you can check to make sure the bandage is not so tight that it cuts off the blood circulation.  You should be able to slip one finger under the bandage.  Leave their clothes on and wrap over the top of rolled up pants or shorts.

Apply a splint - place something rigid, like a stick, next to the straightened leg and wrap a bandage over the splint and the leg to secure it firmly in place and immobilise the leg.

Arms: Start bandaging at the base of the fingers and wrap up toward the armpit.  Bandage the elbow in a bent position so the arm is comfortable in a sling. Leave the tips of the fingers unbandaged to check the circulation.

Apply a splint along the forearm and place the arm in a sling.

Body:  If you are bitten on the body, apply firm pressure to the bite site and remain as still as possible until help arrives. 

4. Where possible, keep the patient still to stop the venom from spreading.  It's best to wait until an ambulance arrives or someone can help you carry them to a car. 

5.  Go straight to a hospital or medical centre to receive an anti-venom injection. 

DON'T remove the compression bandage.   If you need to loosen the bandage because you have cut off circulation, do it quickly.  DON'T apply a tourniquet or constrictive bandage.  
DON'T wash, cut or suck the wound or apply anything to the bite.

Further sources:

Melbourne University - Australian Venom research unit: http://www.avru.org/health/health_browns.html

Australian Reptile Park:
http://www.reptilepark.com.au/

University of Sydney:
http://www.usyd.edu.au/anaes/venom/snakebite.html