Snake Bites
Of the world's 25 most deadly snakes, Australia is home to 21 of them. The perceived threat of snake bites is one of the most common fears for people planning to travel in Outback Australia, especially overseas tourists.
Contrary to popular belief, however, snake bites are not a major cause of death for people in Australia. In 1997, six people died of snake bites (Australian Bureau of Statistics)
It is important for everyone to know what action to take after a real or suspected snake bite. The action taken immediately is crucial for the patient's recovery.
What snake is it?
Being able to identify the snake will help the doctor pick the right anti-venom quickly. But if you don't know what type of snake it was, don't guess. Doctors can use a 'venom-detection kit' to determine what type of snake bit you and which anti-venom to use.
If you don't know for certain what type of snake bit you, don't guess. Don't assume because it was brown that it was a 'brown snake'. It could be disastrous if the doctor gave you anti-venom for the wrong snake bite.
Stay still and apply pressure
Most snake bites are to the lower limbs. It is most important that you stay still and apply pressure to the bitten area, preferably with firm bandages, about as tight as you would bind a sprained ankle. Do not apply a tourniquet. Splint the whole area to immobilise.
Don't take off jeans or other clothing, as the movement involved could help the venom enter and travel through the bloodstream. Do not try and force the venom out of the bitten area. This will only push the venom further into the bloodstream.
Once the area is bandaged and splinted, it will be comfortable and can be left on for several hours. Do not take off the bandage until you reach medical care, or it reaches you. The doctor will decide when to remove the bandages, usually when the anti-venom is prepared and ready to be administered.
Taking this action will help prevent venom from spreading through your body and bringing on severe symptoms. It also means you will need less anti-venom and will suffer from less anti-venom side effects.
Have you been bitten?
Australian snake bites often are not painful and you might not realise you have been bitten. Take note of the following symptoms:
- Continued bleeding from bite site
- Tender or painful regional lymph nodes
- Headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain
- Sudden and perhaps transient hypotension (abnormally low blood pressure) which may cause partial loss of consciousness
- Blurred or double vision
- Facial paralysis
- Voluntary muscle weakness and the diaphragm may be paralysed progressively.
How do you get medical help?
If you are travelling in Outback Australia and you are bitten by a snake, contact the Flying Doctors on your HF radio as soon as possible. They will give you advice and make arrangements to fly in to provide medical assistance.
In many parts of Australia, access to adequate health care can mean long journeys by road. The RFDS not only provides general health care and emergency services to local communities, but also to travellers.
We urge all overseas visitors to take out adequate travel insurance when visiting Australia.