How to treat a snake bite before help arrives

For many Australians, just seeing a snake brings fear. Now that the weather is warmer and were in the middle of the Australian summer, snakes are much more active, and even though they generally want nothing to do with humans, bites can happen when a snake feels threatened or cornered. 

When you know what to do and have the right snake bite first aid kit on hand, it can make a big difference. At First Aid Accident & Emergency, we believe that preparation saves lives. Whether you’re hiking, camping, working outdoors, or just living in an area prone to snakes, understanding snake bite first aid is essential.

What to do immediately after a snake bite

Remain calm: After a snake bite, it’s important to stay calm. Panicking can be dangerous. When adrenaline spikes, your heart rate increases and you’re far more likely to move around. This matters because snake venom travels through the lymphatic system, not the bloodstream. Movement encourages lymphatic flow, allowing venom to spread faster throughout the body.

If a snake bites you or someone near you:

• Move away from the snake to avoid further danger
• Then stop moving as much as possible
• Lie flat and focus on staying still and relaxed

Call an ambulance: Always call 000, even if you’re not sure if the snake is venomous. 

Remain still: Don’t sit upright or walk around. Don’t elevate the bitten area, it’s essential to stay as still as possible. 

Apply a compression bandage: This is where a snake bite kit comes in handy. 

• Place a dressing or bandage directly over the bite site
• Apply firm pressure
• Wrap from the fingers or toes upwards and above the bite
• Continue bandaging up the limb

Our FAAE snake bite kits include pressure indicator bandages, which clearly show when the correct pressure has been applied, taking away the guesswork during a stressful situation.

Immobilise the limb: Use a splint for a leg or a sling for an arm. Keep the limb completely immobilised until paramedics arrive. Do not remove the bandages.

This is known as the Pressure Immobilisation Technique (PIT) and is the gold standard for snake bite first aid in Australia.

Why a snake bite first aid kit matters

If there’s an emergency, improvising bandages and guessing pressure levels can cost valuable time. A properly stocked snake bite first aid kit ensures you have exactly what you need when it matters most.

FAAE snake bite kits include: 

• 1x – AEROBAND™ Triangular Bandage 110 x 110 x 155cm
• 1x – AEROPAD™ Low Adherent Dressings 5cm x 5cm
• 2x – AEROFORM™ Snake Bite Indicator Bandage 10cm x 4m
• 1x – First Aid Leaflet

Important things NOT to do after a snake bite

• Don’t chase the snake to identify it. Broad antivenoms are used, and chasing an angry snake may end in another bite.
• Don’t wash or wipe the bite area. Any venom on the skin may help with identification later.
• Don’t walk towards help, even if you’re in a remote area. Walking spreads venom faster. Always stay still and call emergency services.
• Don’t assume it’s harmless. Always treat every snake bite as venomous.

What about dry bites

Over 90% of snake bites are dry bites. A dry bite occurs when a snake strikes without injecting venom, it’s like a warning. However, you can’t tell the difference right away.

Symptoms of a venomous bite may include:

• Stinging or burning at the bite site
• Excess salivation
• Nausea or dizziness
• In severe cases, paralysis or coma

Symptoms can be delayed, so we recommend treating every bite as venomous. 

How does snake venom travel? 

How venom spreads within the body is often misunderstood. The venom travels through the lymphatic system, not the bloodstream. This is why compression and immobilisation work so well, they slow down the flow and movement of the venom. It’s why remaining still and applying correct pressure is so important.

Snake bite prevention

If you come across a snake:

• Don’t yell or jump
• Stay still and allow it to move away
• Remember, snakes are more afraid of you than you are of them

Be prepared for snake bites

Snake bites aren’t common, and fatalities are rare, especially if the correct first aid is applied. Having a snake bite first aid kit, knowing how to use it, and staying calm under pressure can save a life.

Buy your First Aid Accident & Emergency snake bite first aid kit today!