Snake Season in Australia: What To Do If Someone Is Bitten
Snake Bite First Aid: What To Do If Someone Is Bitten
It’s that time again! Spring warmth, longer days, and the unmistakable rustle of something you really hope is just the wind. Snake season in Australia is here, and whether you’re on-site, on a walk, or just pulling the mower out, a little awareness goes a long way.
Snakes aren’t villains, and they don’t want to bite anyone. They’d rather be left alone to sunbake. But every year, people still get too close, try to play hero, or just forget basic precautions.
So, let’s strip it back to what matters: stay alert, don’t panic, and know what to do if things take a slithery turn.
If someone’s bitten:
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Call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
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Follow the DRSABCD Action Plan (Danger, Response, Send, Airway, Breathing, CPR, Defibrillation).
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Keep them still — movement spreads venom.
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Apply a pressure immobilisation bandage, starting over the bite, and then wrap it firmly up the limb.
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Splint the limb and mark the time of the bite.
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Keep them calm, keep them still, and wait for the professionals.
Don’t:
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Wash, cut, or suck the bite.
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Use a tourniquet.
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Try to catch or identify the snake.
If your workplace hasn’t run a First Aid or Snake Bite Response refresher lately, now’s the time. Those few hours of training could one day make the difference between panic and preparedness.
At Red Insight, we know safety’s not about luck – it’s about preparedness. So before you step into that long grass, maybe check what’s hiding in it first.
