If someone may have been bitten, call 000 now

While you wait for the ambulance

• Call 000 and ask for an ambulance. If triple zero does not work on your mobile, try 112.
• Move the person away from the snake only if you need to, without going near the snake.
• Keep them still and help them stay calm. Do not let them walk around.
• Put a wide roller bandage (10 to 15 cm) firmly over the bite.
• Use a second roller bandage on the whole limb, starting just above the fingers or toes and working up. It should be firm enough that you cannot easily slide a finger underneath.
• Splint the limb so it cannot move.
• Write down the time of the bite and when the bandage went on. Mark the bite site on the bandage or take a photo of it.
• If they become unresponsive and are not breathing normally, start CPR and follow the 000 operator's instructions.
• Stay with them until the ambulance arrives.

Do not

• Do not wash the bite. Venom left on the skin or clothing can help the hospital.
• Do not use a tourniquet, cut the wound or try to suck out venom.
• Do not take the bandage off to check the bite. Leave that to the hospital.
• Do not try to catch or kill the snake. It puts more people at risk and many Australian snakes are protected.
• Do not wait for symptoms before calling 000.

Guidance: healthdirect Australia: snake bites

Signs someone may have been bitten

Australian snake bites are often painless at first and the marks can be hard to see. You might find clear puncture wounds, or just small scratches. Treat any suspected bite as serious, even if the person feels fine.

Symptoms can take time to appear and may include:

• Swelling, bruising or bleeding at the bite, or pain that develops later
• Nausea, vomiting or stomach pain
• Headache, confusion or dizziness
• Blurred vision or drooping eyelids
• Muscle weakness, trouble speaking or swallowing
• Difficulty breathing or an irregular heartbeat
• Collapse

Bites on the body, head or neck

A pressure bandage works best on an arm or leg. If the bite is on the body, head or neck, call 000, apply firm pressure over the bite if you can do so safely and keep the person as still as possible. Follow the operator's instructions.

You do not need to identify the snake

Hospitals treat snake bite based on symptoms and blood tests. A doctor may ask whether you saw the snake and what it looked like, but you should never try to catch, kill or photograph it up close. Once the person is in care, a licensed snake catcher can deal with the snake if it is still around.

If a pet has been bitten

Call your nearest vet straight away and tell them you are on the way. Keep the animal as calm and still as you can, and carry it rather than letting it walk. Do not wait for signs of illness, and do not go near the snake.

Dogs and cats often find snakes in the yard. Keeping pets inside at night in warm weather and keeping the yard tidy can reduce encounters.

Be ready before you need it

Keep at least two wide elastic roller bandages in your first aid kit, car, shed and camping gear. A first aid course is the best way to learn how firm the bandage should be. Save 1800 4 SNAKE in your phone for removing the snake once everyone is safe.

Common questions

Should you wash a snake bite?

No. Leave the bite unwashed. Venom on the skin or clothing can help the hospital, and washing it wastes time.

Should you use a tourniquet for a snake bite?

No. Australian first aid uses a firm pressure immobilisation bandage over the whole limb and a splint, not a tourniquet.

How long before snake bite symptoms show?

It varies. Some people feel unwell within minutes, while others have no symptoms for hours. That is why every suspected bite needs an ambulance and hospital assessment, even if the person feels fine.

Can a snake bite have no venom?

Yes, some bites inject little or no venom. You cannot tell by looking, so always treat a suspected bite as an emergency.

Do I need to bring the snake to hospital?

No. Do not try to catch or kill it. Doctors decide treatment from symptoms and tests, not from the snake itself.

What should I do about the snake after a bite?

Keep everyone away from it and focus on the person who was bitten. Once help is on the way, you can call 1800 4 SNAKE or a local catcher to deal with the snake.