Living in Australia means sharing our beautiful environment with some of the world’s most fascinating, and sometimes dangerous creatures, snakes and spiders being at the top of that list.
Bites from these creatures are relatively rare, and fatalities are even rarer, thanks to quick access to snake bite kits, medical care and effective first-aid practices. In this article, we’ll be giving a very detailed rundown of how you can effectively manage the situation if you’re ever a victim or witness to a venomous bite from a snake or spider.
Snake Bites in Australia
Australia is known to be home to 140 species of land snakes, and encountering one while camping or hiking is a very common occurrence. Some snakes, like the Eastern Brown Snake, Coastal Taipan and Tiger Snake, have highly toxic venom. Others might not pose as much of a threat. Here’s a rundown of all there is to know about snake bites:
What to Do If a Snake Bites You
Call for Help: Dial 000 immediately to get an ambulance on its way. The faster medical help arrives, the better for the victim.
Keep Still and Stay Calm: Lie down or sit still and try to keep the bitten limb as still as possible. Movement can speed up the spread of venom, so keeping calm is crucial.
Apply a Pressure Immobilization Bandage: If the bite is on a limb (like an arm or leg), follow these steps:
- Use a snake bite bandage (10–15 cm wide, if available) or any material you can find and wrap it firmly over the bite.
- Next, wrap the whole limb. Start at the fingers or toes of the bitten limb and work your way upward. The bandage should be snug, but not so tight that you can’t slide a finger under it.
- Use a splint, sticks, or whatever you have handy to keep the limb from moving.
Record Details: If possible, write down the time the bite happened and when the bandage was applied. Mark or photograph the bite site, but don’t wash it. The doctors can use any venom left on the skin to figure out which snake bit you.
Also Read: Snake Catcher’s Life-Saving Advice: What to Do When You Encounter a Snake
What Not to Do in Case of a Snake Bite
There are some common myths about snake bites that can make things worse. Avoid these:
- Don’t suck out the venom or make cuts around the bite. It doesn’t work and could make the wound worse.
- Don’t use a tourniquet. Cutting off blood flow can cause serious damage.
- Don’t wash the bite site. The venom residue on the skin is useful for identifying the snake.
Signs and Symptoms to Watch For
A snake bite isn’t always obvious, and symptoms might take an hour or more to show. Be on the lookout for:
- Pain, swelling, or bruising around the bite
- Bite marks (though they might be tiny or hard to see)
- Nausea, dizziness, or fainting
- Difficulty speaking, swallowing, or breathing
- Blurred vision or drooping eyelids
- Weakness or paralysis in the limbs
If you or someone else starts experiencing these symptoms, it’s even more important to get medical help immediately.
Spider Bites in Australia
Even though we share space with venomous spiders like the Redback and the Sydney Funnelweb, deaths from spider bites are extremely rare these days thanks to effective antivenoms.
What to Do If a Spider Bites You
Here’s a roadmap of what you should do in case of a spider bite:
Assess the Situation: The first thing to figure out is whether you were bitten by a dangerous spider or not. There are two spiders in Australia that require immediate medical attention:
Sydney Funnelweb Spider
This one is found mostly on the east coast. It is highly venomous, and its bite can become life-threatening in as little as 15 minutes, especially in children.
Redback Spider
These spiders are common across Australia, often lurking in sheds, under furniture, or in mailboxes. Their bites are less immediately fatal but can cause serious symptoms like intense pain and muscle spasms.
If you’re unsure what bit you but notice worsening symptoms (like difficulty breathing, severe pain or spreading redness), treat it as an emergency.
Call for Help: If you suspect a Funnelweb bite or experience serious symptoms, call 000 immediately for an ambulance. If it is a less urgent bite, like a suspected Redback bite, monitor the symptoms closely, and go to the hospital if they seem like they are about to spiral out of control.
Provide First Aid: The right first aid depends on the spider. For funnelweb or large black spiders, you would need to apply a pressure immobilization bandage over the bite site. Use an elastic bandage to wrap the area firmly, starting just above the bite and working up the limb.
After that, it’s important that you immobilise the affected limb with a splint or anything rigid to keep it still. Also, remember to keep the person calm and lying down to slow venom spread.
Seek Medical Attention: Even if symptoms seem mild at first, they can worsen over time. Head to the hospital if you notice any significant symptoms.
What Not to Do in Case of a Spider Bite
These are basic mistakes that can make things worse for the bite victim:
- Don’t apply pressure to a Redback bite. Pressure is unnecessary and will only cause pain.
- Don’t try to catch the spider unless it’s safe. If you can, take a photo instead.
- Don’t suck out the venom, cut the bite, or use a tourniquet. These are old myths and could harm the person further.
- Don’t assume the bite is harmless. It’s always better to play it safe and seek medical advice.
The Symptoms to Watch For
Spider bite symptoms can vary widely depending on the spider. Here’s what to look out for:
- Funnelweb Bites: Severe pain, excessive sweating, difficulty breathing, numbness, twitching muscles, confusion or loss of consciousness.
- Redback Bites: Intense pain at the bite site, muscle weakness or spasms, headaches, patchy sweating or swelling.
- Other Spider Bites: Burning or itching sensation, redness, swelling or mild blistering.
While this may seem a lot to remember, you can’t just stay uniformed and unprepared, especially when living in Australia which is one of the Earth’s megadiverse countries. So keep these things in mind and ensure you have a snake bite kit handy to handle any emergency situation.
