Australia is home to some of the world’s most venomous snakes, and sightings are common around Lithgow’s bushland, Cowra’s paddocks, and Bathurst’s rural edges. Treat every snake bite as potentially life-threatening.

Validated Snake Bite First Aid for NSW, Australia

The primary and most crucial first aid method for snake bites in Australia (including NSW) is the Pressure Immobilisation Technique (PIT). This technique is designed to slow the spread of venom through the lymphatic system, giving the patient more time to reach medical care.

Key Principles of PIT:

1. Restrict Movement: Keep the bitten person still. Movement can pump venom through the body.

2. Pressure: Apply firm, consistent pressure over the bite site and along the entire limb.

3. Immobilisation: Splint the limb to keep it still.

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Step-by-Step Guide for Pressure Immobilisation Technique (PIT)

(Validated by NSW Health, Ambulance NSW, and Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) guidelines)

1. STAY CALM & STILL:

   • Reassure the bitten person.

   • Keep the bitten limb and the person as still as possible. Movement can speed up venom circulation.

   • DO NOT wash the bite site, apply a tourniquet, cut the wound, suck the venom, or try to catch the snake.

2. APPLY PRESSURE BANDAGE (IMMEDIATELY):

   • Use a broad, elasticised bandage (ideally 10-15 cm wide).

   • Start bandaging directly over the bite site, then work your way up the entire limb (from fingers/toes up to the armpit/groin).

   • The bandage should be applied as tightly as you would for a sprained ankle – firm enough to compress but not so tight that it cuts off blood circulation (you should still be able to feel a pulse, and fingers/toes shouldn’t turn blue).

   • If you don’t have an elastic bandage, use any readily available material like strips of clothing, but elastic is best.

3. IMMOBILISE THE LIMB:

   • Apply a splint to the limb to keep it completely still.

   • Use any rigid object like a stick, rolled-up newspaper/magazine, or even another person’s limb.

   • Bind the splint firmly to the bandaged limb.

   • For a leg bite, immobilise the entire leg. For an arm bite, immobilise the entire arm, and if possible, use a sling.

4. SEEK URGENT MEDICAL HELP:

   • Call Triple Zero (000) immediately for an ambulance.

   • Keep the person still and calm until medical help arrives.

   • Do not remove the bandage or splint once applied.

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Why PIT is the Only Recommended Method in Australia:

• Australian Snakes: Most Australian snakes (including those in NSW) have neurotoxic or myotoxic venoms that travel through the lymphatic system, not immediately into the bloodstream like some snakes in other parts of the world.

• Slows Venom Spread: PIT significantly slows the lymphatic flow, buying critical time.

• Avoids Harm: Other methods (like tourniquets) can cause more harm than good by restricting blood flow and damaging tissue.

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Prevention tip — Wear sturdy boots and long pants when working on the farm or hiking near Cowra or Lithgow. Keep our snake bite first aid guide handy in your rural first aid kit.