Western Australia is home to some of the most venomous snakes in the world, including the Western Brown Snake, Dugite, Tiger Snake and Death Adder. While snake bites aren’t an everyday occurrence, they can be life-threatening if not managed correctly. Knowing the right first aid steps can make all the difference while waiting for emergency help to arrive.

Common venomous snakes in WA

While there are many snake species in Western Australia, some of the most medically significant include:

• Western Brown Snake – Common across much of WA, often found near human activity
• Dugite – Frequently encountered in the south-west, including Perth suburbs
• Tiger Snake – Found near wetlands, rivers and coastal areas
• Death Adder – Short, thick-bodied and well camouflaged, often ambushes prey

Importantly, you don’t need to identify the snake to provide effective first aid.

Signs and symptoms of a snake bite

Not all snake bites cause immediate pain or obvious symptoms, which is why every suspected bite should be treated seriously.

Local signs may include:

• Fang marks (may be hard to see)
• Mild pain, redness or swelling at the bite site
• Bleeding or bruising

General symptoms can include:

• Headache or dizziness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Sweating
• Difficulty breathing
• Blurred vision or drooping eyelids
• Collapse or loss of consciousness

Symptoms may be delayed, so don’t wait for signs to appear before acting.

What to do Immediately after a snake bite

When it comes to snake bites, what you do in the first few minute’s matters more than almost anything else. The goal of first aid is simple: slow the spread of venom until professional medical treatment is available. Once a snake bite is suspected:

1. Stop, Stay Still, and Stay Calm: This can be harder than it sounds, but it’s crucial. Panic and movement speed up the spread of venom. Reassure the casualty and encourage slow, steady breathing.Even walking a short distance after a bite can significantly worsen the situation.

2. Call 000 Immediately: Snake bites are always a medical emergency in Australia, even if the person feels “okay” at first. Symptoms can be delayed for hours. Tell the operator: That it’s a suspected snake bite, your exact location and whether the casualty is conscious and breathing

3. Apply a Pressure Immobilisation Bandage

• Start bandaging directly over the bite site.
• Apply a firm, even pressure (similar to a sprained ankle bandage).
• Continue bandaging up the entire limb, as far as you can go.
• Bandage should be firm but not so tight that it cuts off circulation.
• If you don’t know exactly where the bite occurred, bandage the entire limb anyway.

4. Immobilise the Limb

• After bandaging:
• Use a splint, stick, or rolled clothing to immobilise the limb.
• Secure it so the limb cannot move.
• If bitten on the leg, keep the person lying down — do not let them walk.
• Immobilisation works together with the pressure bandage to slow venom movement.

5. Keep the Casualty Lying Down and Still

• The person should lie flat and remain as still as possible until help arrives. Continue to reassure them and monitor their condition.
• If the person becomes unresponsive and stops breathing commence CPR.

Why movement makes snake bites worse: When a bitten limb moves:

• Muscles contract
• Lymph vessels are squeezed
• Venom is pushed faster toward the bloodstream and vital organs

This is why: Walking, running, panicking, repeated limb movement can dramatically increase the speed and severity of venom effects.

Why Pressure Immobilisation Works

Pressure immobilisation is uniquely effective for Australian snake bites because it targets the lymphatic system, not the blood vessels. Pressure bandaging:

• Compresses lymph vessels
• Slows venom movement
• Buys critical time until antivenom can be given

Immobilisation: Prevents muscle contractions and stops the “pumping” action that spreads venom. Used together, pressure and immobilisation can delay venom spread for hours, significantly improving survival outcomes.

What NOT to Do — and Why

Some old myths about snake bite treatment can make things worse:

• ❌ Do not wash the bite site Venom residue on the skin helps doctors identify the snake.
• ❌ Do not cut or suck the bite This does not remove venom and can cause infection or tissue damage.
• ❌ Do not apply a tourniquet Tourniquets can cause severe tissue injury and do not stop venom spread effectively.
• ❌ Do not try to catch or kill the snake Many of Australia’s snakes are protected species.  It is strongly recommended that no attempts be made to kill the snake due to the risk of multiple bites or another person being bitten.  A digital photograph of the snake may be helpful in identification if safe to do so.

Snake Bites in WA: Preparation Saves Lives

Western Australia’s vast distances and remote worksites mean first aid knowledge is especially important. Whether you’re on a mine site, farm, hiking trail, or in the suburbs, knowing how venom spreads — and how to slow it — can save a life.

• A nationally recognised first aid course teaches you:
• Correct pressure immobilisation techniques
• How tight a bandage should be
• How to manage snake bites confidently under pressure
• When and how to start CPR if needed

Get Proper Training – Book with Medisync Training

Reading about snake bite first aid is a great start, but in a real emergency, hands-on training makes all the difference. Knowing how firm a pressure immobilisation bandage should be, how to correctly splint a limb, and how to manage a casualty while waiting for help are skills best learned and practised in person.By completing a nationally recognised first aid course, you’ll gain:

• Practical experience applying pressure immobilisation bandages
• Confidence responding to snake bites and other medical emergencies
• Skills that are essential for work, travel, and outdoor life in Western Australia

You can book a first aid course with Medisync Training, an Allens Training Provider delivering accredited first aid courses with experienced trainers and practical, real-world scenarios.

Disclaimer: we follow the latest Australian and New Zealand Committee on Resuscitation (ANZCOR) Guidelines to provide the most up-to-date and effective first aid advice. You can access the full ANZCOR guideline here: Guideline 9.4.1 – First Aid Management of Australian Snake Bite

This content is intended for general education only and is not a substitute for medical advice. It should not be used in place of formal first aid training, professional healthcare, or emergency services. Always seek guidance from a qualified health professional for medical concerns. In an emergency within Australia, call 000 without delay.