What happens with a spider/snake bite?
Nov 7th 2004, 10:03 am
#1
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What happens with a spider/snake bite?
Can anyone tell me, what are you ment to do if a spider or snake bites you? Just a thought that come to me as I was reading some of these threads. Thanx.
Nov 7th 2004, 10:14 am
#2
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Re: What happens with a spider/snake bite?
Originally Posted by elksa
Can anyone tell me, what are you ment to do if a spider or snake bites you? Just a thought that come to me as I was reading some of these threads. Thanx.
Not being funny, but that's what I did when I was bitten by a snake. They gave me an injection of something, and then I spent a week in hospital.
I think you are supposed to keep the area that was bitten still, to stop the poison spreading.
What to do if bitten
Snakes
Most venoms contain toxins that affect the central nervous system. The aim of treatment is to delay the movement of the venom to the CNS until medical assistance can be obtained.
Applying a broad pressure bandage to the site of the bite and keep movement to a minimum. This means the limb or foot may need immobilising by means of a splint.
It is important to take a note of the size, colour, markings and shape of the snake’s head, to help administer the correct antivenene, which are available in most major centres and areas that have a high incidence of snakes.
Following the introduction of antivenenes the number of deaths from snakebite has fallen to around 10 a year.
Snakes
Most venoms contain toxins that affect the central nervous system. The aim of treatment is to delay the movement of the venom to the CNS until medical assistance can be obtained.
Applying a broad pressure bandage to the site of the bite and keep movement to a minimum. This means the limb or foot may need immobilising by means of a splint.
It is important to take a note of the size, colour, markings and shape of the snake’s head, to help administer the correct antivenene, which are available in most major centres and areas that have a high incidence of snakes.
Following the introduction of antivenenes the number of deaths from snakebite has fallen to around 10 a year.
Last edited by ABCDiamond; Nov 7th 2004 at 10:22 am.
Nov 7th 2004, 10:22 am
#3
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Re: What happens with a spider/snake bite?
What to do if bitten
Spiders
For most spiders (including the red-back), apply a cold compress to the site of the bite and, if symptoms appear, take the person to a hospital or medical centre. If needed, an antivenene will be given.
For a funnel-web bite, it is important to stop the venom circulating. Apply a compression bandage to limb affected and minimise movement. Then seek medical attention as an antivenene will be needed. If the patient goes into coma, expired air resuscitation (mouth-to-mouth) may be needed.
In general, if any area of the body becomes swollen, red, sore or itchy, a visit to the nearest doctor or poisons centre is recommended, even if you have not seen or felt the spider. The symptoms can take quite some time to develop, so do not assume that the symptoms, when they do develop, can be ignored. It is always better to be sure than to be sorry.
http://www.healthnetwork.com.au/trav...bulletin_id=12
This site also says what to do in case of being bitten by other pests, Sharks, Crocs etc., but, and More Importantly, How to avoid them.
Spiders
For most spiders (including the red-back), apply a cold compress to the site of the bite and, if symptoms appear, take the person to a hospital or medical centre. If needed, an antivenene will be given.
For a funnel-web bite, it is important to stop the venom circulating. Apply a compression bandage to limb affected and minimise movement. Then seek medical attention as an antivenene will be needed. If the patient goes into coma, expired air resuscitation (mouth-to-mouth) may be needed.
In general, if any area of the body becomes swollen, red, sore or itchy, a visit to the nearest doctor or poisons centre is recommended, even if you have not seen or felt the spider. The symptoms can take quite some time to develop, so do not assume that the symptoms, when they do develop, can be ignored. It is always better to be sure than to be sorry.
http://www.healthnetwork.com.au/trav...bulletin_id=12
This site also says what to do in case of being bitten by other pests, Sharks, Crocs etc., but, and More Importantly, How to avoid them.
Nov 7th 2004, 10:57 am
#4
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Re: What happens with a spider/snake bite?
This is a good site too:
http://www.mydr.com.au/default.asp?article=2596
For snakes, apply a firm bandage and immobilise.
Call an ambulance. Same for funnel webs.
For redbacks, apply ice(to lessen pain), and call an ambulance.
http://www.mydr.com.au/default.asp?article=2596
For snakes, apply a firm bandage and immobilise.
Call an ambulance. Same for funnel webs.
For redbacks, apply ice(to lessen pain), and call an ambulance.
Nov 7th 2004, 11:14 am
#5
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Re: What happens with a spider/snake bite?
Originally Posted by Simone
...
For snakes, apply a firm bandage and immobilise.
....
For snakes, apply a firm bandage and immobilise.
....
Why would I want to apply a firm bandage to a snake...? And as for immobilising it - have you seen how fast these things MOVE...? No chance...
But seriously....
This site has some useful first aid info:
http://www.avru.unimelb.edu.au/avruweb/snakebi.htm
Cheers,
Anya.
Nov 7th 2004, 9:19 pm
#6
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Re: What happens with a spider/snake bite?
Great sites guys!!!
Just been looking at them, now I`m :scared: :scared:
How long ago was your snake bit ABC? what did you do to p##s the snake off?
I done this last time we came to Oz, freak myself out :scared: but its not that bad once your there.
Its my kids that I do worry about, does anyone know of any family courses (Brisbane area)that you can go on? just so my kids/us know how to deal with and look out for things in the correct way. If I was to read all that to my kids they would not be happy.
Thanks for info
Sue
Just been looking at them, now I`m :scared: :scared:
How long ago was your snake bit ABC? what did you do to p##s the snake off?
I done this last time we came to Oz, freak myself out :scared: but its not that bad once your there.
Its my kids that I do worry about, does anyone know of any family courses (Brisbane area)that you can go on? just so my kids/us know how to deal with and look out for things in the correct way. If I was to read all that to my kids they would not be happy.
Thanks for info
Sue
Nov 7th 2004, 9:23 pm
#7
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Re: What happens with a spider/snake bite?
Originally Posted by elksa
Can anyone tell me, what are you ment to do if a spider or snake bites you? Just a thought that come to me as I was reading some of these threads. Thanx.
Nov 7th 2004, 9:51 pm
#8
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Re: What happens with a spider/snake bite?
Originally Posted by Sue2
How long ago was your snake bit ABC? what did you do to p##s the snake off?
One you get to Australia, you learn to go in the opposite direction to snakes
And that really does help to minimise any risk !!
I've lived here for 14 out of the last 18 years now, and haven't had any more incidents with them
But then, I don't live out in the bush.
Nov 7th 2004, 9:58 pm
#9
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Re: What happens with a spider/snake bite?
Originally Posted by ABCDiamond
Many years ago !! And it was in Cornwall, and I had been handling it, and it was a big one !!!!! Well, I was only 11 years old at the time, and didn't know any better. I do remember the local who took care of it saying it was the biggest he had ever seen.
One you get to Australia, you learn to go in the opposite direction to snakes
And that really does help to minimise any risk !!
I've lived here for 14 out of the last 18 years now, and haven't had any more incidents with them But then, I don't live out in the bush.
One you get to Australia, you learn to go in the opposite direction to snakes
And that really does help to minimise any risk !!
I've lived here for 14 out of the last 18 years now, and haven't had any more incidents with them
But then, I don't live out in the bush.Hi ABC
CORNWALL
well what can I say!! We are looking at your area to live, no way would we live in the bush :scared:
Its ok I`ll calm down once we are out there
All the best
Sue
Nov 7th 2004, 10:14 pm
#10
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Re: What happens with a spider/snake bite?
Most people who get bitten by snakes are Steve Irwin type morons who when they come across a snake , instead of letting it quiety slither away,
pick it up, and to their suprise it bites them. Snakes only attack in self defence, if you leave them alone they will leave you alone.
pick it up, and to their suprise it bites them. Snakes only attack in self defence, if you leave them alone they will leave you alone.
Nov 7th 2004, 10:25 pm
#11
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Re: What happens with a spider/snake bite?
Originally Posted by aussie73
Most people who get bitten by snakes are Steve Irwin type morons who when they come across a snake , instead of letting it quiety slither away,
pick it up, and to their suprise it bites them. Snakes only attack in self defence, if you leave them alone they will leave you alone.
pick it up, and to their suprise it bites them. Snakes only attack in self defence, if you leave them alone they will leave you alone.
Nov 7th 2004, 11:42 pm
#12
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Location: Ilukapool. WA
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Re: What happens with a spider/snake bite?
Don't wash the area of the snake bite before applying the tight bandage as the hospital will take a swab to identify the venom, in case you are not sure of the species of snake that bit you.
Nov 8th 2004, 12:05 am
#13
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Re: What happens with a spider/snake bite?
Originally Posted by tonyk38
Also if you want to avoid snakes whenever possible, move noisily through the bush or wherever, don't creep about. The snakes sense your footfalls and generally move off.
They don't tend to move out of peoples way. They lie beneath leaf litter and such motionless. You can basically be right on top of one without you knowing it, and they won't move out of your way.. it's basically why they are so dangerous
They are responsible for a lot of the snake bites to bushwalkers who get bitten. They stay motionless and hidden to ambush hunt small animals, and don't move when they feel anything coming near them.. as that is how they hunt - They are ambushers .Bites normally occur when you step on one that is under the leaf litter.
Apparently it's original name was "deaf adder" . This was before the time of people knowing that snakes were all deaf. It was named this way because people thought it must be the only snake that was deaf because they would remain motionless and not get out of peoples way. The deaf then changed to Death along the way.
cheers
Nov 8th 2004, 12:19 am
#14
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Re: What happens with a spider/snake bite?
Originally Posted by Ceri
Except the Death Adders.
They don't tend to move out of peoples way. They lie beneath leaf litter and such motionless. You can basically be right on top of one without you knowing it, and they won't move out of your way.. it's basically why they are so dangerous
They are responsible for a lot of the snake bites to bushwalkers who get bitten. They stay motionless and hidden to ambush hunt small animals, and don't move when they feel anything coming near them.. as that is how they hunt - They are ambushers .Bites normally occur when you step on one that is under the leaf litter.
Apparently it's original name was "deaf adder" . This was before the time of people knowing that snakes were all deaf. It was named this way because people thought it must be the only snake that was deaf because they would remain motionless and not get out of peoples way. The deaf then changed to Death along the way.
cheers
They don't tend to move out of peoples way. They lie beneath leaf litter and such motionless. You can basically be right on top of one without you knowing it, and they won't move out of your way.. it's basically why they are so dangerous
They are responsible for a lot of the snake bites to bushwalkers who get bitten. They stay motionless and hidden to ambush hunt small animals, and don't move when they feel anything coming near them.. as that is how they hunt - They are ambushers .Bites normally occur when you step on one that is under the leaf litter.
Apparently it's original name was "deaf adder" . This was before the time of people knowing that snakes were all deaf. It was named this way because people thought it must be the only snake that was deaf because they would remain motionless and not get out of peoples way. The deaf then changed to Death along the way.
cheers
They don't only resemble African Adders and Vipers in appearance then! A lot of the African Viperids are cryptically camouflaged and hunt in a similar way. They then get trodden on by bare-footed Africans who promptly get bitten. Still, it works for most snakes......
Most Death Adder bites were fatal until the development of antivenom. At least the bites are treatable now. Still.....they're not found in Victoria where I'm in all likelihood going!
Nov 8th 2004, 12:40 am
#15
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Re: What happens with a spider/snake bite?
A tour guide in Kakadu once gave us his advice on snake bites - "go home, put your feet up and relax". His theory was that they don't do anything at the hospital anyway. As long as you are relaxed, your blood is not pumping toxins round really quickly and your body will deal with it.
Mad. This was the same guide who walked around all day bare foot, wearing the same shorts (and only shorts) for 2 days, and had us swimming at Jim Jim falls before telling us about the freshies we were sharing it with!
He would be driving along and come to an abrupt halt, jump out and pick up a snake he'd spotted, al la Steve Irwin. Why oh why did we pay this man?
Got to admit the bit about staying calm sounds good, but in reality...? aaaarrrrggghh!!!!!!!!!!!
Mad. This was the same guide who walked around all day bare foot, wearing the same shorts (and only shorts) for 2 days, and had us swimming at Jim Jim falls before telling us about the freshies we were sharing it with!
He would be driving along and come to an abrupt halt, jump out and pick up a snake he'd spotted, al la Steve Irwin. Why oh why did we pay this man?
Got to admit the bit about staying calm sounds good, but in reality...? aaaarrrrggghh!!!!!!!!!!!
Last edited by JulesandChris; Nov 8th 2004 at 12:43 am.