snake bite treatment

The very first remedy for snake bite is: don't get bitten. Sounds obvious but it's surprising how many people wander off through the bush in thongs (including me on the odd occasion!). Wear boots with long socks or trainers with jeans long enough not to leave any ankle exposed.

Pressure bandage, I believe, is still considered to be the most effective way of dealing with snake bite and my understanding is that if the victim is bandaged early enough and keeps calm and still afterwards even the most potent venom can be kept at bay for 12 to 16 hours.

These two links will tell you all (and more) you need to know on the subject:
http://www.pharmacology.unimelb.edu.au/avruweb/index.htm
http://www.usyd.edu.au/anaes/venom/snakebite.html

Mike Harding

Hi Joe,

Assoc. Prof Julian White of Adelaide Uni is the guru on envenomation. Here is his treatment for a snake bite. This also applies to a funnel web spider bite.

Apply a firm broad bandage or similar (even clothing strips or pantyhose will do in an emergency) over the bite site, at the same pressure as for a sprain. Do not occlude the circulation.
Apply further bandage over as much of the rest of the bitten limb as practical. Ensure fingers or toes are covered to immobilise them. It is often easiest to go over the top of clothing such as jeans, rather than moving the limb to remove clothing.
Ensure the bitten limb is kept motionless by applying a splint and instructing the patient to cease all use of the limb and any general activity.
Always seek medical help at the earliest opportunity.
If the snake has been killed, bring it with the patient, but do not waste time, risk further bites and delay application of pressure bandage and splint by trying to kill the snake.
Do not wash the wound.
Do not use a tourniquet.
Do not cut or suck the wound.
Do not give alcohol to the patient.
Do not give food and only non-alcoholic clear fluids may be used for drinks.

For first aid for spider bites apart from the Funnel web spider, Prof White says-
Reassure the patient that their life is not at major risk.
Apply an ice pack to the bit area
Seek medical advice.
Bring the spider with the patient if possible.
Do NOT use a pressure immobilisation bandage.

I hope this is some help. Have a great trip
Cheers
Anni

AS mhhas sid - dont get bitten, by far and away most snake bites are from people trying to catch/harass kill snakes. the firm bandage the lenghth of the limb and immobalization is the only recomended way of dealing with oz snakebites so dont bother getting the suction devices the yanks sell on the net. Your chances of even seeing a snake mid year are very slim

Spend the $ and do a St Johns course...

Well worth the coin. You may NEVER need it, but then there will be that one time that the cost that seemed expensive at the time of asking, now is worth a billion$ to you.

Willem, just like the gq was only a patched up mq, 14ply rags are not the answer any longer, and if you had fillings in your teeth before you left, 14 ply tyres would fix that before you got back. I think anyone who has run MTR's will testify to the tuffnes the new breed of tyre brings to the market over what has been available previously, or current.

Most of us have stopped carrying a 6th spare with MTR's, now the MTR rarely even gets a puncture if run in the best 40% of tread depth.

Hi Joe

A very good website that shows you what to do and how to do it if you ever get bitten by anything is http://www.avru.unimelb.edu.au/avruweb/creatable.html

Have a fantastic trip.

Sasha (Mrs Homeboy)

Hi Joe
There is a possibility of stepping on a snake on a path or in the evening. Best protection is shoes to ankle plus long pants or longer socks with sock protectors (keeps grass seeds and dirt out too!). Thongs and sandals offer no protection.

Encourage kids not to run around site on dark or later. Use torch, stay out of long grass and don't rush.

Oz snake fangs are short and venom trickles down outside (not like a hypodermic) so shoes and clothing (even lighter material) will very much reduce likelihood of skin damage and entry of venom.

Put a 15cm X 2 metre long crepe bandage in the glovebox of fourby, one in camper and carry one in day pack when hiking. 15 cm wide crepe bandage is ideal. If it is a foot or leg, start at bottom and wind past bite and as far up leg as possible (firmly, not tightly); if an arm or hand, start at fingers and go up to shoulder. Then try to keep limb still.

When collecting fire wood, turn log over and look b4 picking up. Wear leather gloves where possible - better for hands anyhow.

Tap out shoes, shake out clothing b4 putting on.
EV700

Snakes hibernate in the winter. You won't see one.

This whole thread is useful if you were going September to May. But mid-year you won't have a concern.

Cheers
Phil

According to the latest Landcruiser commercial, u can jump in ur brand new 100 series drive like a donkey and make it to the nearest hospital within 30seconds of being bitten, Sounds great as long as u dont rely on the IFS :oD

hehehehe
all jokes aside
st johns is definatly the goer

Lazy

G'day,

as has been indicated, prevention is better than cure....

If you are with the victim and you go to assist them, don't forget the first step of DRABC: Danger - if going to assist a victim, check for danger to yourself, not much good having two victims.
then continual monitoring of the victim's

Response
Airway
Breathing
Circulation

Rest and reassure the victim, make them as comfortable as poss. Documenting any changes in their condition is important as well as treatment for shock, which can result with delays in getting medical attention. In remote areas, you will need to decide on whether to travel to medical assistance or wait for it. As snake venom travels through the lymphatic system, rather than the blood, the bite and suck method would be of no use I reckon.

If you cannot get on a training course before your trip then at least invest in a decent first aid kit and make sure your comms are in good order as well as being suitable for your area of travel as you may be able to get help over the airwaves. If you do not have a reference book then you may also be able to describe the snake and confirm that it is non lethal, otherwise you should always assume it is lethal.

Interesting mention by Crackles of the Fierce snake, Taronga Zoo states that one bite has enough venom to kill 200,000 mice. They declare it the most venomous land dwelling snake in the world, drop for drop of venom.