Bushwalking and Camping Preparedness for Snake Bite Emergencies

Bushwalking and Camping Preparedness for Snake Bite Emergencies

Bushwalking and Camping Preparedness for Snake Bite Emergencies

Australia’s bushland is home to snakes. Most people can enjoy walking and camping without an encounter, but it is important to know what to do if a snake bite happens.

Snake bite first aid is an emergency. A person may not feel unwell straight away, so do not wait for symptoms to appear. The safest approach is to reduce the risk of an encounter, carry a suitable first aid kit and know the pressure immobilisation technique before you leave.

This guide explains how to prepare for bushwalking and camping, what to do after a suspected snake bite and which common actions to avoid.

Before you leave: plan for an emergency

Good preparation can make it easier to stay calm and act quickly. Before heading into the bush, consider the distance from your route to medical help and the type of phone coverage available.

Tell someone your plans

Give a trusted person the key details of your trip, including:

  • Your route and planned campsite
  • The names of people in your group
  • Your departure and expected return times
  • The location of your vehicle
  • Any changes to your plans

For longer trips, leave a written itinerary. Check local park alerts and access information before you go.

Check communication options

Mobile coverage can be limited in remote areas. Do not assume your phone will work everywhere. Depending on the location and trip length, you may also consider a personal locator beacon or satellite communication device.

Keep your phone charged and store emergency contacts before leaving. In Australia, call 000 for emergency medical help when you have phone service.

Learn the first aid steps

A first aid kit is useful, but it cannot replace training. Everyone in the group should understand the basic response to a suspected snake bite. If possible, learn from a recognised first aid provider and refresh your knowledge regularly.

Practise finding the bandage in your kit. In an emergency, a familiar layout can save time.

What to pack for bushwalking and camping

Pack equipment that suits your group, the environment and the length of the trip. Keep emergency items easy to reach rather than buried at the bottom of a backpack.

Useful items include:

  • A suitable first aid kit
  • Broad pressure bandages
  • A splint or materials that can be used to keep a limb still
  • A charged mobile phone and backup power source
  • A map, compass or reliable navigation device
  • Drinking water and food
  • A torch or headlamp
  • Protective clothing and sturdy, closed footwear
  • A personal locator beacon or satellite communicator for remote trips, where appropriate
  • A pen or marker to record the time of a bite or mark swelling, if advised by emergency services

Check your kit before each trip. Replace used, damaged or expired items. Keep the kit in a waterproof bag or container if you expect rain, creek crossings or wet conditions.

Choosing a portable first aid kit

A compact kit can be practical for day walks and camping trips. The AEROKIT 3 Series First Aid Kit – Green Softpack | Portable, Latex-Free, Refillable | Home, Vehicle & Outdoor Safety is designed for home, vehicle and recreational use. The product information states that it includes supplies for several injuries, including snake bites. It has a soft case, easy-pull zippers, a reflective strip and refillable contents. Check the kit’s content list before your trip and make sure it contains the bandages and other items your group needs.

The black version, AEROKIT 3 Series First Aid Kit – Black Softpack | Portable, Latex-Free, Refillable | Home, Vehicle & Outdoor Safety, offers the same listed outdoor-focused features in a different colour. You can compare the kit’s contents with your trip plan before choosing.

For short walks where you need a small, hands-free option, the Compact First Aid Kit in Utility Belt (Bum Bag) – Portable First Aid Kit with Buckle Adjustable is designed to carry minor injury supplies in a wearable belt-style pack. It may be useful for everyday cuts, scrapes and sprains, but you should check its contents to confirm that it is suitable for your planned snake bite response. Always read the product information and follow the directions for use.

How to reduce the risk of a snake encounter

Snakes may be active in warm weather, but an encounter can happen in different conditions. Stay alert without disturbing wildlife.

Follow these habits:

  • Stay on formed tracks where possible.
  • Watch where you place your feet and hands.
  • Use a torch when walking at night.
  • Wear enclosed footwear and long trousers in areas where snakes may be present.
  • Avoid stepping over logs or rocks without checking the other side first.
  • Do not put your hands into cracks, holes, thick grass or piles of leaf litter.
  • Give a snake plenty of space and a clear path to move away.
  • Never try to catch, handle, corner or kill a snake.

If you see a snake, stop and move away slowly when it is safe to do so. Do not make sudden movements or approach it for a closer look.

What to do after a suspected snake bite

Treat any suspected snake bite as an emergency, even if there are no immediate symptoms. The priority is to keep the person still, apply pressure immobilisation and arrange urgent medical help.

1. Keep the person still and calm

Ask the person not to walk. Help them lie down if it is safe. Movement can spread venom through the lymphatic system more quickly.

Keep the affected limb as still as possible. Do not leave the person alone to seek help. Send another group member to call for assistance if needed.

2. Call 000

Call 000 as soon as possible and explain that you suspect a snake bite. Give your location clearly. Describe nearby track names, landmarks, campsite details and the number of people in the group.

Follow the emergency operator’s instructions. If there is no mobile coverage, use your planned communication device or send someone for help while another person stays with the injured person.

3. Apply a pressure bandage

Use a broad elastic or pressure bandage if one is available. Start bandaging over the bite site, then cover the whole limb from the fingers or toes upwards. The bandage should be firm, but it must not stop circulation.

Bandage over clothing if removing clothing would require moving the limb. Continue wrapping as far up the limb as possible. If the bite is on the body, apply firm pressure over the bite area and follow the emergency operator’s instructions.

4. Immobilise the limb

Use a splint or other suitable support to keep the limb still. Bandage the limb to the splint if you can do so without causing movement. Keep the person lying down and still while waiting for help.

If the person becomes unconscious and is not breathing normally, follow the 000 operator’s instructions and begin CPR if directed and trained to do so.

5. Record useful information without delaying care

If it is safe, note the time of the bite. You can also mark the edge of swelling and write the time beside it, but do not delay bandaging or calling 000.

Do not try to identify or photograph the snake. A description from a safe distance may be useful, but the snake must not be approached.

What not to do after a snake bite

Some common responses can increase harm or delay treatment. Do not:

  • Wash, cut or suck the bite
  • Apply a tourniquet
  • Try to catch or kill the snake
  • Give the person food, alcohol or medication unless advised by a health professional
  • Remove the pressure bandage for washing or checking the bite
  • Let the person walk, even if they feel well
  • Wait to see whether symptoms develop

Do not remove the bandage until medical professionals advise you to do so. Removal may allow venom to move through the body.

Possible symptoms

Symptoms can vary. A person may develop pain, swelling, bruising, nausea, weakness, blurred vision, breathing difficulty, dizziness or collapse. Some people may have few symptoms at first.

The absence of symptoms does not rule out a serious bite. Do not use symptoms to decide whether emergency care is needed. Call 000 and follow the pressure immobilisation steps for any suspected snake bite.

After the emergency

Once medical help has taken over, replace any used items in your first aid kit. Make a note of what was needed and whether your kit was easy to access.

Review your trip plan with the group. Consider what worked well, such as the location of your phone, the speed of communication and access to bandages. If the incident was distressing, allow time for everyone involved to recover and seek support if needed.

A simple bushwalking safety checklist

Before you set off, check that:

  • Someone knows your route and return time.
  • Your phone or emergency communication device is charged.
  • Your first aid kit is stocked and easy to reach.
  • Your group knows how to call 000 and describe your location.
  • You have suitable pressure bandages and a way to immobilise a limb.
  • Everyone understands not to approach wildlife.
  • You have enough water, navigation equipment and light for the trip.
  • Weather, track and park conditions are suitable for your group.

Final thoughts

Bushwalking and camping preparedness for snake bite emergencies starts before you reach the track. Plan your route, carry communication equipment, keep a suitable first aid kit nearby and learn pressure immobilisation first aid.

If a snake bite is suspected, keep the person still, call 000, apply a pressure bandage, immobilise the limb and wait for professional help. Do not wash the bite or try to handle the snake. Preparation cannot remove every risk, but it can help your group respond in a calm and organised way.

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