Summer’s here, and so are the snakes, a snake bite can be a serious medical emergency.

If you or someone you know is bitten by a snake, follow these steps:

Prioritise Safety: Ensure the snake is no longer a threat.

Stay Calm: Panic can exacerbate the situation.

Seek Medical Help: Call emergency services immediately (000) If calling triple zero does not work on your mobile phone, try calling 112.

Immobilise the Bite: Apply a pressure immobilisation bandage to slow the venom’s spread.

Avoid These Mistakes:

• • Don’t wash the bite area.
  • Don’t apply a tourniquet.
  • Don’t cut the wound.
  • Don’t attempt to suck out the venom.

Understanding Snake Bites

• • Dry Bites: These occur when a snake strikes but doesn’t inject venom. While painful, they typically require minimal medical attention.
  • Venomous Bites: These bites can lead to serious health complications, including respiratory distress, paralysis, and cardiac arrest.

Because you can’t always tell if a bite is a dry bite, treat all snake bites as a medical emergency — call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.

Symptoms of a Venomous Bite

• • Severe pain around the bite
  • Swelling, bruising, or bleeding
  • Visible puncture wounds

Remember: Early medical intervention is crucial for a positive outcome. Stay safe, be aware of your surroundings, and enjoy the summer responsibly.

To prevent a snake bite, its advised that you leave them alone, most bites happen when a person tries to capture or kill them, mostly, the snake wants to escape.

This advice can be found on the Australian Health Direct website. Knowledge is power.