How to avoid snakebites and how to treat one

Snakes are generally most active in the warmer weather. So summer is the time to be most alert and aware of them.

The good news is that in the colder weather, you will rarely see snakes.

Now if there are heavy rains and floods, even when its cold, all that water will disturb snakes. You might end up finding them in areas they wouldn't normally be, because just like you, they are trying to stay away from rising flood waters.

Normally, because snakes are cold blooded, they are attracted to places where they can lay in the sun and warm up their bodies for the day after a cold night. So when the sun comes out they come out. They are also particularly active in early summer after their long winter hibernation.

So you will be more likely to find snakes in open places where they can sun themselves on things like rocks but also paths and even roads that heat up during the day. However they are also naturally wary creatures, so that’s why you also find them hiding in long grass, after they’ve done their morning warmup session for the day.

The top tips to avoid snakes

To avoid snakes, try not to walk through long grass in the warmer weather. If you must then wear sturdy shoes or hiking boots to protect your ankles and feet. (These are the most likely places to get bitten by a snake.)

If you see a snake on a path or road ahead of you, stop walking immediately. Then slowly start to back away and make no sudden movements that might scare the snake.

Snakes are a LOT more scared of you, than you are of them!

A snake will only attack you (in defense of itself) if it thinks you are going to harm it. So don't make any sudden, aggressive moves towards it.

Now of course, a snake will bite you if you stand on it. But remember that is just a reflex response in self-defense.

Always move away slowly whenever you see a snake, and in 99% of cases you are unlikely to be bitten.

What to do if you get bitten by a snake

If you do get bitten by a snake, take the following immediate action:

1. If you are alone, call 000 and ask for an ambulance. Give your location as best you can. If there is anyone near you, see if you can grab their attention and alert them to the situation. Call out if you have to. If you have someone with you, get them to call the ambulance and then follow these instructions.

2. Stay calm and still. Running around, panicking or other extreme movement will simply make any venom in the bite wound spread around your body faster.

3. Immediately immobilise the limb that has been bitten by the snake. If it's your foot, ankle, leg or arm, keep it very still.

4. Do NOT APPLY A TORNIQUET! (This has been discovered NOT to be the best thing for a snake bit anymore.)

5. Apply a pressure bandage to the wound. If you don’t have a bandage handy use whatever you can – a T-shirt, shirt, towel, scarf. Begin by wrapping the bandage TIGHT around the bite area and then working UP the limb until you run out of bandage. The pressure of the bandage works to restrict the venom moving through your body. If there is a stick or anything similar nearby, use it to splint the limb and keep it straight and immobile.

6. Keep calm until help arrives.

If you can try and remember a description of the snake, the time of the bite and the exact location of the bite (Mark the bandage if you can.)

Also always remember while the number of snakebites in Australia every year is very high, the death rate is very, very low. There are thousands of reported bites, but only 1 or 2 deaths.

Your chance of full recovery is extremely high, especially if help arrives quickly.

Apart from avoiding places where snakes are, your best protection is to be fully trained in first aid. You can book at https://www.resultsfirstaid.com

And always carry a snake bite first aid kit with you when you are out walking or camping or likely to be anywhere there could be snakes.. Keep it in your backpack or your car so it’s close by. You can buy one from us at https://www.resultsfirstaidkits.com