Snake Bites

A teenager has died this week after being bitten by a snake in West Sydney. The advice is if you should meet a snake back away slowly and then Dr Isbister says:

No matter what the snake, every bite should be treated with extreme caution ...

"Many snakebites do not result in an injection of venom, but whether this has occurred cannot be immediately determined so patients must be kept under observation," he wrote.

If bitten, patients should apply a broad bandage, and remain completely still, he said.The bandage should only be removed once the patient is in a hospital stocked with antivenom.

The bite should not be washed so the area can be swabbed to detect the venom, which will assist in determining the appropriate antivenom to be used.

Snake bite victims 'must stay still' - National - smh.com.au