It’s vital for any camper or hiker to know what to do if a snake bites you. But, more importantly, what you should do to avoid getting into that situation in the first place.
Writing the title of this article, let alone the content, makes me shudder. And each encounter with a snake during my camping expeditions has given me heart palpitations. However, it’s an irrational fear as there are rarely any deaths from snakes in Australia.
Knowing a little bit about snake behaviour and adopting these easy tips could not only save your life but also help you enjoy your camping trip with more confidence.
Tips for staying safe around snakes
1. Wear appropriate clothing
Nearly all snake bites occur on the ankles, hands and lower parts of the legs so covering up these areas will significantly reduce the possibility that a snake’s venom will enter your bloodstream.
You might think you need to wear metal armour to prevent a snake injecting venom, but most venomous snakes in Australia have relatively short fangs and tend to wipe venom into the wound rather than inject it deep into the skin. A good pair of gaiters or jeans will make it more or less impossible for an Australian snake to penetrate the skin.
It goes without saying that you should wear closed footwear. Not only will it protect your feet, but it also creates more vibrations than sandals or thongs. This will help scare snakes away before you reach them.
Closed shoes and gaiters are a must for heading into snake territory. Photo: Melanie Rees
2. Carry first aid
Whether you’re going for a short hike or a long camping trip, it’s a good idea to be prepared for the possibility of a snake bite. Your first aid kit should contain pressure immobilisation bandages – heavy crepe bandages are ideal in fact.
3. Ensure you have some form of communication
If you’re in an area with no mobile reception, try to source another form of communication or at least let someone, such as a Park Ranger, know your movements. A PLB is an important piece of kit to carry if you’re heading to remote areas.
One of the crucial things, if bitten, is to keep the injured limb immobilised, so you’ll need to stay still. Then use a PLB to call for help.
3. Be vigilant when hiking
Snakes are incredibly shy creatures and most will feel your foot vibrations and get out of the way before you even see them. There are exceptions though. When snakes are just warming up, they can be slower to react to your presence, and if taken by surprise they can strike without warning.
The main tip for hiking is to watch where you’re walking. When hiking over logs and rocks, it’s a good idea to step on the log and then over it, to make sure you can see the other side. Some snakes may also hide in nooks in rock faces or sun themselves on rock ledges so always make sure you can see where you’re putting your hands. Or wear gloves and a long sleeve shirt if you’re climbing up a rocky path.
Of course, watching where you walk is easier said than done. When you’re bushwalking, you’re usually looking at your surroundings, not where you’re putting your feet, which is why it’s important to carry first aid equipment and wear proper protection.
Keeping your site clean is hugely important to prevent snakes from hiding under your gear. Photo: Melanie Rees
4. Keep your campsite clean
Snakes love mice. If you leave rubbish around the camping ground, it can attract rodents and hence snakes. There are many reasons to keep your campsite clean, but if you ever needed an additional incentive, this is it. Snakes also like to hide under things, so keep picnic rugs and other items off the ground when you’re away from the campsite.
5. Check your sleeping bags & boots
Because snakes see humans as a threat, it’s incredibly unlikely that a snake will come into a campsite while you’re there. But they could curl up in warm places like your sleeping bag if you leave them it in the open while you’re out.
It’s always a good idea to keep sleeping bags closed up in your tent or the in back of the car while you’re out hiking. If you forget, shaking them out is good practice, just to make sure you don’t cuddle up with any unwanted visitors at night.
The same goes for shoes. Boots are a bit like hollow logs and even a metre long snake could hide in them. If you’re paranoid like me, you can stuff socks in your boots at night and shake them out in the morning.
6. Be careful when collecting firewood
If you have permission to collect firewood, it’s a good idea to wear a long-sleeved shirt and gloves, as snakes often hide under leaf litter and logs.
If collecting wood at night, I always carry a torch to ensure I can see where I’m putting my hands and that the stick I’m picking up is indeed a stick.
What to do if you encounter a snake:
- If you see a snake, stay calm, back away and wait for it to move. Snakes will only strike humans when they feel threatened.
- Don’t provoke it or make any sudden movements that they could perceive as a threat.
- Never try to kill a snake.
- Like all native animals, they’re protected, but also the majority of bites occur when people try to kill them.
- If the snake won’t move, don’t poke it with a stick or shovel. Many snakes can strike quickly from a distance.
- While foot stamping might encourage a snake to move off a track, I’d personally only do this if I am a long distance from the snake (i.e. at least several metres) as it can still be seen as a threatening action, especially if the snake is cornered.
Take the time to learn how to treat a snake bite in case the worst happens. Photo: SA Ambulance Service
Treat all snakes with caution
Treat all snakes as potentially dangerous, even if they’re tiny. Baby snakes are just as dangerous as adults are, if not more so. This is partly because they’re more difficult to spot, but they also tend to be more skittish and unpredictable.
Even treat dead snakes as dangerous. Snakes can still have biting reflexes and the venom can remain on the fangs long after its death.
Treating a snakebite
- Treat all suspected snakebites as life-threatening.
- In Australia, bites might just look like a superficial scratch and not the two puncture wounds you might expect.
- Apply a pressure immobilisation bandage to the limb immediately, splint the limb and call an ambulance.
- Even in a remote location, you should keep the limb immobilised and stay calm and still.
- The bandage should be applied to the whole length of the limb and be as tight as you would strap a sprained ankle.
- Never wash or cut the wound, as the hospital will use venom on the skin to identify the snake.
- Don’t suck out the venom and don’t apply a tourniquet instead of an immobilisation bandage.
First aid and snake awareness courses are a good idea if you want specific information as well.
Managing your fear of snakes
It might be reassuring to know that even though Australia is infamous for its venomous snakes and we love the outdoors, there are far fewer deaths in Australia than America, India, Africa and many other countries.
It’s rare for Australian snakes to strike. It’s even more uncommon that the fangs will get through clothing and the skin. When they do, most snakes don’t actually inject any venom or it’s in such small amounts that antivenom isn’t needed.
So, there you have it, what every camper should know about snakes
If you wear the right clothing, go prepared and stay vigilant, it’s unlikely you will ever get into a situation where you won’t be able to confidently enjoy your holiday.
It’s important that you’re prepared, so ensure you have a snake bite kit and first aid kit on you at all times. You might even come to love our slithering friends. After all, they really are beautiful creatures and crucial to the Australian bushland.
Have you ever had a close encounter with a snake in the bush? Let us know in the comments.
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Mostly good advice in the comments. The bitten person shouldn’t move (to avoid exerting the heart and pumping blood faster), the specialised bandages mentioned are excellent because the indicators change from a square shape to a diamond to show that the bandage is not too tight or too loose. As noted before, bandage from the extremities (fingers/toes) along the entire length of the bitten limb and then back again. The bite site should then be marked on the top of the bandage in pen with a circle. This is so that the area can be cut away in hospital without removing the bandage from the limb. Always check that the hospital HAS the antivenom there prior to any removal of the bandage. As soon as the bandage is removed, the venom can flow via the lymph nodes back into the body with potentially fatal results, so make sure the hospital knows what to do!
BTW clapping, shouting and stamping through the bush does little or nothing for snakes as they are deaf!
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We live in the central west … the home of the brown and black snake. The one comment I would make is buy a quality specialised snake first aid kit. They contain specialised bandages that have indicators on them to ensure you get the pressure right. With an appropriately tensioned bandage you can go 5 hours or more, too tight or too lose … not so much. Australian snakes attack the lymphatic system and bandage pressure and splint immobilisation is essential. The is a company in the central coast of NSW that make an exceptional Australian Kit …. worth a look if you are travelling out our way. We have had 4 browns this year with 1 in the house!
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This is an article that I read on FB recently.
SNAKE BITE INFORMATION!
3000 bites are reported annually.
:80% of these are from people trying catch or kill them!
300-500 hospitalisations
2-3 deaths annually.
Average time to death is 12 hours. The urban myth that you are bitten in the yard and die before you can walk from your chook pen back to the house is a load of rubbish.
While not new, the management of snake bite (like a flood/fire evacuation plan or CPR) should be refreshed each season.
Let’s start with a Basic overview.
There are five genus of snakes that will harm us (seriously)
Browns, Blacks, Adders, Tigers and Taipans.
All snake venom is made up of huge proteins (like egg white). When bitten, a snake injects some venom into the meat of your limb (NOT into your blood).
This venom can not be absorbed into the blood stream from the bite site.
It travels in a fluid transport system in your body called the lymphatic system (not the blood stream).
Now this fluid (lymph) is moved differently to blood.
Your heart pumps blood around, so even when you are lying dead still, your blood still circulates around the body. Lymph fluid is different. It moves around with physical muscle movement like bending your arm, bending knees, wriggling fingers and toes, walking/exercise etc.
Now here is the thing. Lymph fluid becomes blood after these lymph vessels converge to form one of two large vessels (lymphatic trunks)which are connected to veins at the base of the neck.
Back to the snake bite site.
When bitten, the venom has been injected into this lymph fluid (which makes up the bulk of the water in your tissues).
The only way that the venom can get into your blood stream is to be moved from the bite site in the lymphatic vessels. The only way to do this is to physically move the limbs that were bitten.
Stay still!!! Venom can’t move if the victim doesn’t move.
Stay still!!
Remember people are not bitten into their blood stream.
In the 1980s a technique called Pressure immobilisation bandaging was developed to further retard venom movement. It completely stops venom /lymph transport toward the blood stream.
A firm roll bandage is applied directly over the bite site (don’t wash the area).
Technique:
Three steps: keep them still
Step 1
Apply a bandage over the bite site, to an area about 10cm above and below the bite.
Step 2:
Then using another elastic roller bandage, apply a firm wrap from Fingers/toes all the way to the armpit/groin.
The bandage needs to be firm, but not so tight that it causes fingers or toes to turn purple or white. About the tension of a sprain bandage.
Step 3:
Splint the limb so the patient can’t walk or bend the limb.
Do nots:
Do not cut, incise or suck the venom.
Do not EVER use a tourniquet
Don’t remove the shirt or pants – just bandage over the top of clothing.
Remember movement (like wriggling out of a shirt or pants) causes venom movement.
DO NOT try to catch, kill or identify the snake!!! This is important.
In hospital they NO LONGER NEED to know the type of snake; it doesn’t change treatment.
5 years ago we would do a test on the bite, blood or urine to identify the snake so the correct anti venom can be used.
BUT NOW… we don’t do this. Our new Antivenom neutralises the venoms of all the 5 listed snake genus, so it doesn’t matter what snake bit the patient. Read that again- one injection for all snakes!
Polyvalent is our one shot wonder, stocked in all hospitals, so most hospitals no longer stock monovalent Antivenins.
Australian snakes tend to have 3 main effects in differing degrees.
Bleeding – internally and bruising.
Muscles paralysed causing difficulty talking, moving & breathing.
Pain
In some snakes severe muscle pain in the limb, and days later the bite site can break down forming a nasty wound.
Allergy to snakes is rarer than winning lotto twice.
Final tips: not all bitten people are envenomated and only those starting to show symptoms above are given antivenom.
This article was written by Rob Timmings of ECT4Health
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Awesome comment, but they all the same: keep them still! Don’t let them move! 99.9% Im by myself!!!
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Hi Melanie,
Overall a great article. One comment though. The last word in point 3 is “elevated” Should not a limb with a bite be kept down to try and minimise the flow of blood and lymph back to the rest of the body?
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Hi Peter,
I’ve looked into this for you, and while I’m personally no expert, but from reading through St John’s Ambulance Australia’s guide to snake bites it doesn’t say to elevate the bite as well.
I apologise for the confusion, and I’ve updated the article. Thanks for pointing this out to us Peter!
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Thank you!
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My nan always taught me never put your hands and feet where you can’t see. It’s been invaluable advice re snakes and spiders.
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We can’t fault your Nan’s advice Annette, even if you’re wearing protective gear such as gaiters – you’ve still got to be careful where you step.
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Hi Melanie. Its always exciting to read about snakes.
Would you know what actually happens with the venom if there is no (professional) help available, after the limb has been strapped? Will the venom wane of eventually? If so, how long will it take? If not, what should the first aider do? CPR?
I’d love some more information which covers all the ‘But, What If’s?’
Thank you, Noonie.
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We probably can’t speak with any authority on those questions Noonie, as it’s not our area of expertise.
We would say though, that it’s vital to always be prepared with a way to contact professional help in the event of a snake bite.
Sorry that we couldn’t be of any more help, but there’s always the option to talk to a medical professional.
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Great article, thanks Melanie.
We covered snakebite in recent first aid courses. The advice to use a pressure bandage is because the venom (for aussi snakes) travels through the lymphatic system, not through the blood. The pressure or compression bandage stops the lymph but leaves the blood free to oxygenate the limb,
Your advice to not wash the wound is important as much of the venom stays on the skin and the hospital can use it to identify the snake – this allows an appropriate dose of the antivenom for that snake rather than the massive dose used for the general antivenom (which has lots of types of antivenom to cover all the common snakes).
The vinegar suggestion would wash the skin and means the victim would need the generic treatment. For that reason alone, it is not recommended. If it worked, the first aid courses would told us about it. Vinegar does work for jellyfish stings, but not for snakes.
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Thanks for the kinds words on the article, Ian.
It’s great to hear from someone who’s just finished their first aid course, and for clarifying the comment about vinegar.
It sounds like you’ll be well prepared for anything Mother Nature throws at you on your next hike!
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Great post.
I once got bitten by something in West Africa (Burkina Faso). Snake or spider or two ticks – i felt something strike as I walked in a mealie/cornfield it was never determined what it was (i was probably 6hrs drive from the nearest African hospital).
The bite was above the boot and I had thick long trousers on
I was on malarone (anti-malarial) and it only manifested itself after I stopped taking the malarone (about 1 week later) as two necro holes and a staph rash.
Given where I was, What i was later told that I should/could have done was to pour vodka over the wound as it would draw the infection out and not let the infection enter the upper layer of the skin.
I have since applied vodka to spider bites and it does help. Hence I now carry a small bottle of vodka when I travel and know I am going in the bush/remote areas.
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Not sure we can condone this as a reliable remedy Keith, but I guess if you have nothing else at hand then anything is worth a try. Interesting that the side effects did not appear until you were off the malarial meds, something fellow travellers may/should be aware of. Thanks for sharing your experience.
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Just a thought on making contact when in the bush for emergency situations
Encourage your readers to not only have a mobile phone (because they don’t always have
Coverage) but to also carry a UHF RADIO . More and more people have them these days
I never go bush without one.we even use them to communicate from one trail bike rider
To the other.we use them to regroup when separated , notify others riders of danger ahead,talk to trucks on highways,Farmers in remote areas the list goes on.a must have bit of kit.
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Great input Matthew! A UHF Radio is a must if you’re headed out bush!
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Fantastic information, Melanie! I’ve really enjoyed your blog post.
I just wanted to add the extra precaution to protect our canine camping companions from snakebite. Dogs are inquisitive about everything, so happening upon a snake around the campsite or during a bushwalk is a real possibility. During snake season, we’ve found that keeping our dogs close to us (either on a lead or under our control) is the only way to protect them from being bitten. Also, we clap and talk extra loudly when walking through ‘Joe Blake’ environments, with the trade-off being less other wildlife staying to be observed and enjoyed. Oh well…
Snakes are amazing creatures and I love seeing them in the wild, but I respect them enough to give them space and leave them alone. Many thanks for a well-researched article.
Cheers,
Shahan
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Great additional advice. It is easy to minimise the risks to ourselves, but when it comes to pets (and children) it can be tricky.
Like you said, the best thing is to keep them close. Because dogs and children tend to tread lightly they often don’t scare snakes away. While snakes can’t hear you, if you do a bit of stomping they might feel the vibrations and flee before you reach them. With children, I also think it is a good idea to educate them on what to do if they see a snake.
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Sold, For $39.95 i have one of the Snake bite kits, What value can you put on a life? If you are way out in bush then this is a must.
I have also heard that Vinegar is a natural blood thinner hence a gulp of that will counter act the venom in the blood. Not a cure thought.
And we generally set up camp where there isn’t tall grass. If you have a the room a whipper snipper works the treat
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Snakebite first aid kits are great. I have one in my car and one in my day-pack I use when I’m hiking. It is one of those things that I’ll probably never use, but having it there is reassuring.
Great tip regarding finding a campsite that is clear of tall grass. I might even investigate writing a post about how to select campsites, as there are a few things to consider when selecting a site that is safe and has minimal impact.
I’ve read a few old-wives tales before in relation to snakebites, but I haven’t heard of the vinegar tip before. I will have to investigate that further. With snake bites (at least in Australia) you don’t want to do anything that increases blood pressure, so I’d be wary of anything that affects the blood. I don’t have much knowledge on snakebite management in other countries, but in Australia the current recommendation is to apply the pressure immobilisation bandage, call for medical assistance and stay calm and still until help arrives.
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