Did you know? There are 30 species of snakes in Australia that are considered to have life-threatening venom & around 3,000 people are reported to be bitten by snakes each year!
Now that we are in the peak of snake season, it's important that you are armed & prepared for the worst that could possibly happen!
Here are some tips to help you protect yourself or someone in need:
What are the symptoms of a Snake Bite?
- Scratch or puncture marks
- Headache
- Vomiting or nausea
- Blurred vision
- Trouble breathing
- Faintness
How can I be prepared for potential Snake Bites?
- Check the snake has gone
- If the snake is there DO NOT approach a snake: it doesn’t know what your intention is.
- Always lie down if bitten & try to stay calm
- Check breathing & where the bite is
- Apply pressure of a bandage firmly around the bite site
- Apply a firm bandage over the whole limb starting at the toes or finger tips & work your way up. Make sure the bandage is firm however not too tight.
- Immobilise the limb using a piece of wood splint. If bitten on the leg, use the other leg as the splint. Use the bandage to tie legs together to stop muscle movement to slow down absorption of venom in the body
- Call 000
How can I be prepared for potential Snake Bites?
We recommend making sure you are equipped with the following products:
The Fastaid Snake 'n' Spider Bite Kit fits snug in a backpack & contains hospital grade contents in case of an emergency. Comes with a nifty little Snake and Spider Identification Sheet booklet too
A great way to prevent a bite is by wearing gaiters as they protect the legs, but please note can never offer 100% protection against snake bites. The Sea to Summit Quagmire Canvas Gaiter is the most densely woven, puncture resistant gaiter that will help if walking through thick long grass & can not see snakes if they attack.
The Fastaid Trek Badger II is a dual fold stretcher made for compact storage. Lightweight &high-strength it is specially designed for first aid emergencies in industrial sites, great to use if someone needs to be immobilised and carried due to a snake bite.
