How to treat a snake bite | First Aid | St John WA

Unsure of how to correctly treat a snake bite? Hint: don't suck the venom out!
Here's how you can effectively treat a snake bite using a snake bite bandage.
www.stjohnwa.com.au

[@Keighley.]

Excellent tutorial, I just watched after encountering a baby brown snake while bushwalking this evening. Very helpful guide & information, thank you.

[@namogel67]

This will be easy to remember. Many thanks for a nice clear instruction.

[@wcresponder]

Nicely done. Broad bandages work better for the arm binding to the body. SJA Canada.

[@medicmum3367]

Thank you, my family are very well prepared...just in case!!

[@Jacksonskipslegday]

If bitten with no help or phone reception available. Is it better to apply the bandage, sit and wait for your body to deal with the venom while not moving, or attempt to walk out and seek help?

[@kso7525]

😂😹😹

[@daisyalice4092]

Sit in your own filth and not move a muscle.

[@DeadLetterOpener]

Good question Jack. Hope those other fools that replied don't ever need to perform this on themselves with no help ...sarcasm.

[@TheCynicalOptimist88]

You would have a long wait, We unfortunately don't have the metabolism of a honey badger.... This is what I would do: Move slowly and methodically but still as fast as you can while maintaining a calm state.. if you have to drive , drive is fast as you can in the safe manner... If possible get to someone for example at the head of the trail or wherever and find someone else that can drive you.. . Under 80 years old is preferred. Explain what the snake look like, approximately when you were bitten .. Tell them if or when you have a metallic taste in your mouth.. Then just totally go into a meditation state The best you can and have faith that Australia has an awesome anti-venom supply that's free.. This is also assuming that you property got bandaged as shown in the video. You could even save this video as a download in KZbin and have it available to show someone how to do it We always have our phones on us!

[@karolineseymour6047]

I also learned that the arm has to be lower than the heart muscle..

[@ArinzeSuccess-df5xb]

What about making sure the heart is above the affected area by sitting the patient up

[@Aus_Dan]

Oh i always thought the bandage was to reduce the amount of blood flow, so the bandage is to only compress the muscles.?

[@redblade8160]

In places like Australia, everyone should carry with them a snake anti-venom kit when hiking. The snake anti-venom kits should contain vials for the most common type of snake that you may encounter.

[@jakeharfield8516]

This isn't possible for a number of reasons unfortunately

[@redblade8160]

@@jakeharfield8516 Why is it not possible? Instead of making up your own useless sound bite, give me one reason why it's not possible to carry an anti-venom kit.

[@jakeharfield8516]

@@redblade8160 Here's a few very obvious reasons if you're averse to using Google or thinking critically: It has a short shelf-life and usually requires storage at a specific temperature, it's expensive, no one can reliably identify species and apply the correct antivenom in the correct dosage, antivenom commonly results in further complications like allergic reactions that can be worse than the venom itself (especially in a dry bite scenario).

[@thatguykalem]

​@@redblade8160 Two reasons: complexity and cost. Administering intravenous antivenom is too complex for laypeople, let alone first aid volunteers. For the lone patient, even if trained to a first aid level, they're likely to be too panicked to be able to do it effectively. Whether it's the patient or someone else, though, administering the antivenom incorrectly will waste time, help the venom to spread and will create complications like pain and bruising all the way up to serious infection. Then, if the patient is allergic to antivenom (which almost no patient will know beforehand), administering it outside of a clinical setting is likely to kill them. Beside the complexity, the cost of antivenom makes it prohibitive. It costs hundreds of dollars for a few millilitres. That's just not practical for the vast majority of people. Better to perform the correct first aid techniques, which will allow the patient to get to hospital and receive antivenom at no cost.

[@eadc888]

The reasons why us Aussies don’t carry snake antivenom is for one, what snakes are we expected to come across? If there is a variety of snakes in a certain area, this could cost thousands. How do we administer to antivenom? And lastly, antivenom should be refrigerated. There are probably more reasons than mentioned though. As an Aussie, we are always advised to carry snake bite kits which are just bandages for compression of bite site and immobilisation

[@louischoi2883]

So what is the purpose for applying bandage to the whole arm? Trying to reduce blood flow but not to stop the flow completely?

[@karolineseymour6047]

Do you not wash the wound with soap and water first? Also the medics say not to hydrate until in a hospital? Then hydrate? Please explain. Thank you for showing the wrap..Also could you explain more about anti venom kits and venom suction tool.. saw it online and also how long to lay still if you are in the middle of a hike and no medical facility near... thank you..

[@floppyrogue1793]

Hayden, what if I bite the snake back?

[@jsonlesslie8258]

@@dazzaw4681 ill bite the snake with him no wants to hear you comment

[@StJohnWA]

Please don't bite the snake back 😂

[@YeeLeeHaw]

Then you apply the bandage on the snake as well.

[@baronedipiemonte3990]

Legit question... if the bit is proximal to the wrist, why start the pressure bandage at the hand and work up ? Wouldn't that prompt the venom to move upwards along the arm and get it closer to the heart ? As opposed to starting the pressure bandage at the upper arm and restricting the venom from moving closer to the heart ? The old cutting and suction is not protocol anywhere I know of, but those "kits" are still being sold.

[@SuperRyue]

In Australia, you bandage towards the heart as you are compressing the capillaries in the muscles to restrict the toxins from travelling toward the heart through the lymphatic system. You do not want to block the blood flow through the arterial system. If you apply the bandage from the heart down to the extremities, you are creating a tourniquet effect and will be restricting blood flow as well. This will cause unnecessary swelling of the limb and pooling of blood in the lower extremities. This will be painful and lead to other complications.

[@felipecastilho1704]

Best tutorial video

[@tit4tat47]

How are you checking blood flow? I can see you touching or squeezing the finger, what are you looking for.

[@StJohnWA]

We're checking to see the blood flow in the finger tips by looking at the colour. When pressing the tips, they will go pale and you should then see the blood underneath flood back to the area. If you do not see this, your bandage is too tight. You can test this yourself by touching your thumb to your finger tips to see the blood flow back. Hope this helps!

[@tit4tat47]

@@StJohnWA Seems obvious now ha. Thanks, it did help!

[@java3374]

are u meant to lay the patient down on there back?? or keep them standing up? sorry I wasn't sure.... great instructional video though!

[@StJohnWA]

Hello! Yes please keep the patient lying on their back until help arrives. The attending Paramedics will then move the patient accordingly.

[@ponglong]

Thank you. Write the time on their forehead - noted! 😂

[@chrispalmer9952]

If no bandage is available...?

[@xuehuang9953]

So helpful!

[@abhaclinic4256]

Best tutorial videa

[@cagricelik4937]

I saw some websites it's written soap and water will help, saw on a Instagram post, thought what would do soap and water would do? Googled in and saw some websites which writes that, i took first aid from you, and don't remember such thing. What would soap and water can do

[@texpa2523]

Nice one

[@louiejohnson1351]

Question, why don't people cut and suck the venom out anymore??

[@FirstLightAdv]

Nice, very straightforward and easy to remember/understand. Must you call an ambulance while camping, or is it ok to move the patient in a car/4wd to the hospital?

[@walkwardrobe5587]

id say do both if you can and meet them on the road

[@FirstLightAdv]

@@walkwardrobe5587 Cheers!

[@TheCynicalOptimist88]

Faster to have someone drive you who is good driver , If you break a few road laws such as speed limit you may get pulled over but that would be a good thing... you can now get into the cop car and they can drive you getting there even faster ! Ring and say that you're on the way to the ER and explain everything you can.. What the snake look like etc look up on your phone so you can properly identify while your lucid.. Where you got bitten and what time approximately, this is all after you got bandaged of course too. When and if you have a metallic taste in your mouth keep note of that time and tell them as well... Stays calm as possible go into a meditation state if you can , move methodically and slowly.

[@yewtubez]

what if your torso gets bitten?!

[@namogel67]

Good question. Hopefully they'll have another vid for that scenario

[@StJohnWA]

In the unlikely event that a snake strikes your chest or abdomen, a similar technique would need to be applied. You would still correctly mark and apply a pressure bandage to the effected area, then using another bandage you would start wrapping up the body again until you have used the whole roll.

[@namogel67]

@@StJohnWA cheers for replying. All the best

[@borisserafim]

...so stay like this till the ambulance comes? Is this a joke? 90% bites happen on mountains or remote places where there are no roads

[@StJohnWA]

90% is not an accurate number of how many snake bites occur in different areas, but it depends on where you are in the world. We're based in Western Australia, so this advice is most relevant to us. We also have rescue helicopter services if vehicles are unable to travel along the terrain. We recommend if you live outside of Australia to look into your local ambulance/first aid provider's recommendations. Our recommendations for Australian snake bites are as follows: In the event that a patient has been bitten by a snake, it is not recommended they move their limbs as this will stimulate blood flow. If the patient is able to be safely lifted and has someone else with them to operate a vehicle and transport them to safer location, then yes they should move - but as minimally as possible. Hope this clears up any confusion.

[@stonewall-mz7yl]

My understanding of snakebites is that you should NOT apply a tourniquet. Is there a reason you are doing this technique?

[@StJohnWA]

This is not a tourniquet, it's a compression bandage. We do not recommend tourniquets for snake bites.

[@stonewall-mz7yl]

@@StJohnWA thank you for the reply. Can you explain the reason for the application of the compression bandage then? Like what function is that serving? I am really trying to gather information on the topic. I really thank you for the reply :)

[@poops_talk_to_me7941]

Yes I’m getting conflicting information on this and it’s very frustrating! Hehe in my area we have hemotoxic neurotoxic as well as the recently evolved cytotoxic venoms in Canebrake rattlesnakes. We also have cottonmouths and copperheads galore. Some people say wash the venom, others say leave it to be tested. Is there a one size fits all first aid treatment , or do these separate venoms require separate first aid? Sorry I’m exhausted because I am in the woods a lot and Run into these snakes all the time and I want to make sure that I and others can be given proper first aid until they are likely driven to a hospital, seeing where I usually at in the woods is bit of a trek to rural hospital. Ambulances take a long time to get here.

[@azifahahmed4462]

Prevent absorption and systemic spread of venom by applying PBI (pressure bandage and immobilisation of the limb and of the whole client)

[@adamminogue2325]

If your bitten say 30/40mins into a bush walk what would be the best way to go about first aid in that case? Thanks

[@georgel3657]

You really don't want to be walking around getting your blood flowing but in some instances you just have no choice, id suggest tourniquet of the limb, probably gonna be a low bite in bush. Wear heavy trousers, enclosed shoes, carry a stick and make lots of noise to give yourself the best chances before getting bitten

[@StJohnWA]

It really depends on the case but ultimately, if you follow this guide when bitten by a snake you should buy yourself some time. If you're out in the bush and don't know where you are, there are ways you can call for help now without reception. There was a mobile phone update recently for West Australians where certain smart devices (apple/android) can now geo-locate you in an emergency. Alternatively, if you have an older smart phone you can always download our free First Responder App which can provide your latitude and longitude to the call taker. Knowing your exact location in an emergency saves precious time and could help save your life. We hope this helps! For more information on these recent mobile phone changes, you can view the State Government's update here: www.communications.gov.au/departmental-news/advanced-mobile-location

[@benrossiter5861]

Would have been really helpful if he'd explained how to check blood flow, rather than just say he did it (and pinched her finger or something) as I'm none the wiser about what i should be looking for. Otherwise all good.

[@EvidentlyThinking]

Hey there Ben, they explained this in a different comment: "We're checking to see the blood flow in the finger tips by looking at the colour. When pressing the tips, they will go pale and you should then see the blood underneath flood back to the area. If you do not see this, your bandage is too tight. You can test this yourself by touching your thumb to your finger tips to see the blood flow back. Hope this helps!"

[@joely_62]

Cheers cobber

[@Jeremy5095]

My understanding was to apply the bandage from the top of the limb down to keep it away from the body not from the bottom up.

[@georgewater3949]

oh!

[@gloriaokorie6463]

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[@akshuization]

What bullshit .. suck the poison out immediately and tie tight cloth above snake bite... I know because I watch lot of people doing it in Indian movies 😅 sometimes if snake is still there U can also dance and impress the snake so that it can suck it's poison back 😂