Safety Guidelines for Education Outdoors

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Emergency response procedures - venomous bite

As in other first aid situations, prevention is better than cure. Staff should be aware that snakes are more likely to be encountered on warm, sunny days, especially in grassy areas and along creeks.

If it seems that snakes might be a problem, students should wear solid shoes, thick socks and (preferably) long trousers. Such clothing is likely to lessen the severity of a snake bite.

In the event of a snake bite occurring, the following treatment must be undertaken:

  1. Use D-R-A-B-C approach (assess Danger, check for Response from the casualty, check Airway, Breathing, and Circulation) to assess the situation and the injured person
  2. Seek medical aid urgently
  3. Calm the bite victim
  4. Apply pressure immobilisation bandage over the bitten area and around the limb, using a crepe or conforming bandage about 15 cm wide. If unavailable, use panty hose or similar material
  5. Apply the bandage firmly enough to compress tissue, but not so firmly as to restrict the flow of blood to the limb below the bandage
  6. Where the bite is to an arm or leg, bandage from the bite to the fingers or toes, then up to the armpit or groin
  7. Bandage as much of the bitten limb as possible
  8. Apply a splint to the bandaged limb with a second bandage
  9. Do not remove the splint or bandage once applied
  10. Continue to monitor the vital signs using “A-B-C” (Airway, Breathing, Circulation)

WARNING:

  • Never wash the venom off the skin as retained venom will assist identification
  • Never cut or excise the bitten area
  • Never try to suck the venom out of the wound
  • Do not try to catch the snake. However, a description of the snake may assist medical aid

Bandages applied during field treatment should not be released.

Speed in applying pressure to the bite and limb is essential. Also, a trace of poison on the pressure pad can assist the laboratory in positive identification of the snake so that the correct antivenin can be given.

More information

For information about the identification and treatment of unknown bites, as well as up-to-date research into first aid treatment for snake and other venemous bites, see:  Australian Venom Research Unit