From the creeks that wind through inner city Melbourne to the far outback in Western Australia, snake season is beginning. Over the cooler months snakes have been in state of brumation . This is very similar to hibernation and characterized by sluggishness and inactivity.
As warmer conditions return both snakes and humans become more active in the outdoors, leading to an increased likelihood of interaction. This may happen when people are hiking, dog-walking or gardening. The risk of being bitten by a snake is exceptionally small, but knowing basic first aid could potentially save your, or another person's, life.
When a snake bites Snake bite envenomation (when venom enters the blood stream) is a significant issue in Australia, with 3,000 cases annually and an average of two deaths . Snake bite should always be treated as a life-threatening emergency, and if you are bitten in rural or remote Australia, you will often receive an air medical emergency pick up to a regional or metropolitan hospital for advanced care. The effects of snake bites vary, depending on the species of snake and first aid measures undertaken.
Australian standard first aid guidelines include: Why pressure is important Snake venom is carried within the lymphatic system. This is a collection of tiny tubes throughout the body that return fluid outside of blood vessels back to the blood stream . Muscles act as a "pump" to help the fluid move through this system.
That's why being still, or immobilization, is v.