Snake Bite First Aid: Quick Facts for Emergency Response

As temperatures rise from September to April, snakes in Australia become more active, increasing the likelihood of encounters with humans. With more people engaging in outdoor activities during these months, the risk of venomous snake bites escalates. Understanding and applying proper first aid for snake bites is crucial and can be life-saving.

Australia is home to about 140 land snake species and about 32 sea snakes. 10 of the world's top 10 most venomous snakes are found in Australia. Fortunately, death from snake bite is rare, in spite of around 3,000 snake bite reports each year – on average, fewer than 5 fatalities annually. 

Carrying a snake bite first aid kit is essential for anyone venturing into areas where snakes are present, as it equips you with the necessary tools to administer immediate care, potentially slowing venom spread and improving survival chances until professional medical help arrives.

Snake Bite First Aid

Get everyone to safety. Call triple zero (000). No matter how minor the bite looks, get to hospital ASAP. Call emergency services and give them as much detail as you can about the snake (if you can safely do so).

Apply snake bite first aid:

• Immobilise – keep the person still and as calm as possible to slow the spread of the venom.

• Pressure – apply firm pressure to the bite. For bites on limbs, apply pressure bandages and splint the limb to restrict movement; make the bite site on the bandage (this helps the paramedics and doctors). If the bite is not on a limb, apply firm direct pressure to the bite site.

• If cardiac arrest occurs, do CPR.

• Record as much as you can – time of the bite, description of the snake, time the bandage was applied.

Why it’s so important to act fast

A snake bite can cause serious complications – paralysis, organ damage or even death – depending on the snake’s venom. First aid is to slow the spread of the venom and stabilise the person until help arrives. Here’s what to do after a snake bite to increase your chances of survival.

Snake Bite Treatment

1. Immobilise: Stay Calm and Still

When someone is bitten by a snake, panic can increase their heart rate and make the venom spread faster through their system. Here’s how immobilisation can help:

• Stay as calm as you can: Encourage the person to stay still and not move unnecessarily. This slows down the venom circulation.

• Position the affected area: Keep the bite site below the heart level to reduce the spread of the venom. For example if the bite is on the leg, put the person down with their leg flat and supported.

Pro tip: Staying calm is easier said than done but slow, deep breathing can help the victim and any rescuers focus on what to do next.

2. Apply Pressure

Applying pressure correctly is one of the best ways to manage snake bites. Here’s how:

For bites on limbs:

• Use a pressure immobilisation bandage.

• Wrap the bandage firmly around the bite site and then up the entire limb. The bandage should feel tight but not cut off circulation.

• Once the bandage is on, splint the limb to restrict movement. Any movement will speed up the venom flow.

For bites on other parts of the body:

• Apply firm, steady pressure to the bite site using a clean cloth or your hands.

• Mark the bite site on the bandage (if used) to help paramedics locate the area quickly.

Don’t use a tourniquet, don’t cut the wound or try to suck out the venom – these are old methods that can do more harm than good.

3. Record as much as you can

Providing as much information as possible to emergency services and medical teams will help. Here’s what to record:

• Time of bite: Knowing when the bite occurred will help doctors estimate how far the venom has spread.

• Description of the snake: If it’s safe to do so, note the size, colour and markings of the snake. Don’t try to catch or kill the snake.

• Time the bandage was applied: This will help responders assess the pressure technique.

Having this information ready will save time and improve medical care.

4. CPR if cardiac arrest occurs

In extreme cases a venomous snake bite can cause cardiac arrest. If the person stops breathing or their heart stops:

• Start cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) straight away.

• Do 30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths. Repeat this cycle until the person shows signs of life or help arrives.

CPR while waiting for help can mean the difference between life and death. Remember, quick action will keep blood and oxygen flowing to the brain in critical situations.

What Not to Do After a Snake Bite

Knowing what not to do is just as important as knowing what to do.

• Don’t suck out the venom: This old method can introduce infection and doesn’t remove venom anyway.

• Don’t wash the wound: Traces of venom around the bite will help doctors identify the snake species.

• Don’t apply ice: Cold will worsen tissue damage.

• Don’t give alcohol or caffeine: These will speed up venom absorption.

Australian Snakes

Here’s the top 10 most venomous snakes in Australia and where they can be found:

1. Inland Taipan (Fierce Snake)

• Inland Taipan is found in: Arid regions of Queensland, South Australia, Northern Territory, New South Wales.

2. Eastern Brown Snake

• Eastern Brown Snake is found in: Eastern and central Australia, including urban areas in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia.

3. Coastal Taipan

• Coastal Taipan is found in: Coastal regions of Queensland and northern New South Wales.

4. Mulga Snake (King Brown Snake)

• King Brown is found in: All of Australia except Victoria and Tasmania.

5. Tiger Snake

• Tiger Snake is found in: Victoria, Tasmania and southern parts of Western Australia and South Australia.

6. Black Tiger Snake

• Black Tiger Snake is found in: Coastal areas of South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania.

7. Death Adder

• Found in: Woodlands, forests and grasslands of eastern and northern Australia.

8. Small-Eyed Snake

• Death Adder is found in: Coastal and sub-coastal areas of Queensland and New South Wales.

9. Rough-Scaled Snake

• Rough-Scaled Snake is found in: Eastern Queensland and New South Wales, often in rainforests or near water.

10. Red-Bellied Black Snake

• Red-Bellied Black Snake is found in: Eastern Australia, forests, swamps and urban areas in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.

Snake Bites

What Happens When a Snake Bites

• When a snake bites, venom is injected into the wound, which can affect the nerves and muscles and cause paralysis.

• The venom travels through the lymphatic system to the blood stream, causing numbness, tingling and difficulty breathing.

• Snake venom can cause severe effects on the body, local bleeding, bite marks and systemic symptoms like fever, chills or nausea.

• The type of snake and amount of venom injected will determine the severity of the symptoms.

• Snake bites can be fatal even if no venom was released.

Snake Bite Symptoms

• Snake bites don’t always show visible signs and symptoms but may have obvious puncture wounds, local bleeding or bite marks.

• Symptoms may be delayed so seek medical attention if you are bitten.

• Snake bites can cause systemic symptoms like fever, chills or nausea and local symptoms like swelling, bruising or bleeding at the bite site.

• The bite site may be painful, swollen or red and may have two puncture wounds.

How to Avoid Snake Bites

• Be aware of your surroundings during snake season and don’t walk in long grass or reach into dark or hidden areas.

• Wear protective clothing like long pants and boots when walking in snake areas.

• Stay on marked trails and don’t disturb snakes or their habitats in tall grass or underbrush or fallen logs.

• Carry a first aid kit with pressure bandages and a splint.

Beware Snake Hatching Seasons

In Australia, snake activity typically increases from September to April, coinciding with warmer temperatures. During this period, many snakes mate, and females either lay eggs or give birth to live young, depending on the species.

Hatching and Birth Periods:

• Egg-Laying Species: For example, in Victoria, eastern brown snakes lay eggs in late spring to early summer. The eggs incubate for approximately 8 to 11 weeks, leading to hatching in late summer or early autumn

• Live-Bearing Species: Species like the Australian tiger snake give birth to live young, typically between late summer and early autumn. They can produce 20 to 30 offspring during this period.

Venom Potency in Juvenile Snakes

Juvenile snakes are born with fully developed venom glands and fangs. Despite their smaller size, their venom can be as potent as that of adults. 

The idea that young snakes are more dangerous because they can’t control their venom injection and therefore deliver more venom is a myth. Research shows both young and adult snakes can regulate the amount of venom they inject, a behavior called “venom metering”. In fact, adult snakes inject more venom than young ones because they have bigger venom glands and more venom reserves.

Medical Treatment for Venomous Snake Bites

• Antivenom is available for all venomous Australian snakes including sea snakes.

• Medical treatment may involve antivenom and supportive care for symptoms like pain, swelling and breathing difficulties.

• Call 000 for medical help.

Add This Snake Bite First Aid Fact Sheet To Your First Aid Kit

Print out this snake bite first aid fact sheet for your first aid kit. By knowing first aid and being aware in snake areas you can improve the outcome of a venomous encounter. Carrying a first aid kit, knowing how to apply a pressure bandage and staying calm under pressure are all key. Make safety a priority and be prepared with these life saving skills—because being ready can make all the difference.