Snakes 

Australia is home to 7 of the top 10 most venomous snakes in the world. Unlike snakes commonly found in North America, all Australian venomous snakes are Elapids (cobra type) having small to medium sized paired, hollow (syringe like) fangs at the front of the mouth. As the fangs become blunt or damaged by wear and tear, they are replaced with a new set of razor sharp ones. The elapid snakes have capacity to control venom injection resulting in the phenomenon of a definite bite without envenomation (dry bite)

It is estimated that there are about 3000 snake bites a year reported in Australia with antivenom administration required in approximately 10% of all cases. Despite all of this there have only been 38 reported snake bite deaths in Australia since 1980.

Although much variability exists between venom composition even within individual species, each group of snake has distinctive venom resulting in predictable local and general effects.

Antivenom is available for Brown snakes, Black snakes,  Death Adders, Taipans, Tiger snakes and Sea snakes. The antivenom is produced by The Commonwealth Serum Laboratory (CSL) in Melbourne (Australia) by injection of processed venom into special Percheron horses and then extraction of the Immunoglobulin from the horse. When injected into humans, the antivenom neutralizes the venom effects.

First Aid

Following any snakebite General First Aid principles should be applied. The key intervention for all Australian snakebites is the pressure immobilisation technique. There have been no reported snake bite deaths following correct initiation of pressure immobilisation first aid.

Medical assistance should be sought immediately and wherever possible the patient should be transported to the location of medical care by vehicle or stretcher. Unnecessary walking or movement of the affected limb should be avoided.