What to do if you are bitten by a snake
This will be a very basic what to do and what not to do if bitten by a snake.
DO NOT MOVE
Snake venom flows via the Lymphatic system not the blood stream. If you are bitten the most important thing to do is to NOT MOVE. Every time you walk or move your arm you will push the venom further through your system. The best thing you can do is to sit down and get help to come to you.
FIND HELP
These days most people have a mobile phone.
Call 000 and they will talk you through the rest.
Even if your phone is out of reception range calling 000 should still work.
Call 000 and they will talk you through the rest.
Even if your phone is out of reception range calling 000 should still work.
THERE IS NO NEED TO TRY AND IDENTIFY THE SNAKE
Anti-Venoms have come leaps and bounds in the past decades. Today one Anti-Venom will treat all Australian Native Snake Venoms. So gone are the days where you had to identify the snake or test the patient to work out the correct Anti-Venom.
APPLY A COMPRESSION BANDAGE
If you have a Compression bandage in your pocket then apply this. If it is in your car or your first aid kit is a minutes walk from you, call 000 first and follow their recommendations.
Note*** If you are bitten on the hand and have jewellery such as rings or bracelets take them off as swelling can be common from bites making it very difficult in the near future to remove them safely.