🐍 First Aid for Snake Bites in Australia – What to Do & What to Avoid (2025 Guide)

Snake bites are frightening — and in Australia, they’re a real risk whether you're hiking, working outdoors, or living near bushland. Knowing the right first aid for snake bites can be life-saving.

In this 2025 guide, we’ll break down:

✅ What to do if you're bitten
❌ Common mistakes and myths
💡 Practical first aid steps you can apply immediately

🧘‍♂️ First Step: Stay Calm and Think Clearly

After a snake bite, panic is your worst enemy. It raises your heart rate and helps venom spread faster.

Stay still, breathe slowly, and begin first aid immediately.

✅ First Aid for Snake Bites – What You Should Do

1. Immobilise the Affected Limb

If bitten on an arm or leg:

Use a splint or sling
Keep the limb still and below heart level. This slows venom movement through the lymphatic system.

2. Cover with a Clean Bandage

Apply a firm, broad pressure bandage over the bite and extending upwards along the limb. This reduces risk of infection but does not need to be tight like a tourniquet.

3. Seek Medical Help Immediately

Call 000 or get to the nearest emergency centre. Even non-venomous bites may cause allergic reactions or infections.

❌ What You Shouldn’t Do After a Snake Bite

Don't Cut the Wound – This can cause further tissue damage and infection.
Don't Suck the Venom – Your mouth has bacteria that may worsen the injury.
Don't Apply a Tourniquet – This may cut off circulation entirely and lead to amputation.
Don't Use Ice – Ice worsens local tissue damage and pain.

🐍 Common Snake Bite Myths – Busted!

🚫 Myth 1: Suck Out the Venom

✅ Truth: It doesn’t remove venom effectively and introduces more bacteria.

🚫 Myth 2: Use a Tourniquet

✅ Truth: This can lead to serious tissue damage and should be avoided.

🚫 Myth 3: Cut or Squeeze the Bite

✅ Truth: This does not help and may cause additional injury.

🎯 Final Tips: Be Prepared, Not Panicked

In a snake bite emergency:

Stay calm
Immobilise the limb
Cover the wound
Call for medical help immediately

Correct first aid can buy time, reduce damage, and save lives.

📚 Want to Learn First Aid the Right Way?

Enrol in a nationally accredited First Aid course in Perth and be ready for emergencies — not just snake bites, but CPR, burns, fractures, and more.

👉 Visit: www.perthtraining.com.au

📞 Call: 0414 201 201

📧 Email: admin@perthtraining.com.au

We offer:

HLTAID011 – Provide First Aid
HLTAID009 – Provide CPR
HLTAID012 – First Aid in Education & Care
HLTWHS005 – Manual Handling for NDIS

Available 7 days a week, on-site or after-hours across Perth metro.

Disclaimer:

The information in this article is for general purposes only and is not intended as specific medical advice. While we aim for accuracy, we cannot guarantee the information's completeness or reliability. Always consult a healthcare professional for medical concerns. Relying solely on this content without seeking expert advice is not advised.

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