Snake bite incidents are already occurring this season, and St John Ambulance (Qld) is recommending all Queenslanders familiarise themselves with the correct first aid treatment for treating snake bites. This is especially important for schools with up to a thousand or more young students in their care.
St John’s first aid expert Mark Richards says there are many myths involving first aid treatment for snake bites, and it is important for people to know fact from fiction.
“A common myth is sucking the venom out of a snakebite – this will simply spread the poison to another person, and you will have two victims instead of one,” he said.
“Do not wash the bitten area or try to catch the snake – your first step in any situation is to follow the DRSABCD action plan (Danger, Response, Send for help, Airway, Breathing, CPR, and Defibrillation).”
“Ensure the casualty is relaxed as much as possible; reassure them that everything will be ok – this will slow down the time it takes for the venom to go through the body,” Mark said.
“Apply a pressure bandage with immobilisation, then splint the bandaged limb.”
“Mark the site of the bite on the bandage and write down as much information as you can, such as the time of the bite, a description of the snake and when the bandage was applied.”
Mr Richards told School News that common symptoms of a snake bite victim include a headache, nausea, drooping eyelids, drowsiness and difficulty speaking.
“Irrespective of what type of snake bite your casualty, always call triple zero ‘000’ for an ambulance.”
In Australia, there are about 3,000 snake bites per year, of which 200 to 500 involve the provision of anti-venom to the victom; on average one or two will prove fatal. About half the deaths are due to bites from the brown snake. The rest are mostly from tiger snake, taipan and death adder. More information is available at www.anaesthesia.med.usyd.edu.au/resources/venom/snakebite.html
Signs and symptoms of snakebite
Symptoms that can develop in the first hour or more
Symptoms that can develop up to 3 hours after the bite
Snake bite management
Do not
These first aid tips are not a substitute for first aid training. St John Ambulance (Qld) offers a range of first aid courses including CPR, Provide First Aid, Resuscitation, and Workplace First Aid. For more information visit www.stjohnqld.com.au or call 1300 ST JOHN (78 5646).
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