Australian snake safety guide

What to pack in a snake-bite first aid kit for the Australian bush

A bush snake-bite kit helps a bystander apply pressure immobilisation, prevent movement and communicate an emergency. It does not replace training, a prompt 000 call, ambulance care or evacuation planning. A bite can be painless and leave no obvious mark, so do not use symptoms or a species guess to decide whether to seek help. [1] Do not approach, handle, catch, kill or pursue the snake; a safely available image may help later identification, but must never delay care. [1]

Why this kit centres on pressure immobilisation

Pressure immobilisation slows lymphatic flow, a route by which venom can enter the circulation, and is the Australian approach for bites from Australian venomous snakes, including sea snakes. [2] It is not a tourniquet: an arterial tourniquet is dangerous and not recommended. [2]

Correct pressure is difficult to achieve, and training can improve performance. [1] [2] Practise the technique in a current first-aid course; buying extra gadgets is not a substitute.

Essential snake-bite first aid equipment

Keep these items together and easy to reach. They are what is needed to apply pressure immobilisation, prevent limb movement and document the event.

Two broad roller bandages, ideally elasticised and 10–15 cm wide. Apply one firmly over the bite, then apply the other from fingers or toes up as much of the limb as possible. It should be tight enough that a finger cannot easily slide beneath it. Bandage over clothing if it covers the bite. [2] [4]
A lightweight splint and material to secure it. Immobilise the limb and the joints on either side; add a triangular bandage or sling for an upper limb. [2]
A permanent marker. Record bite and bandage times, and mark the bite location on the outside of the bandage. [3]
A short, waterproof official instruction card. It is a prompt while someone calls 000, not a replacement for training or the call-taker’s instructions. [1] [3]

Clothing or other material can be a pressure-bandage fallback, but pack proper bandages. Do not remove a bandage or splint before hospital assessment. [2]

Sensible communication and trip-planning items

These items are not treatments, but they support a fast call and an accurate location.

A charged phone with location capability and backup power. Call 000; if 000 does not work from a mobile, try 112. Emergency+ uses built-in smartphone GPS to help callers provide location details. [3] [7]
A registered GPS personal locator beacon (PLB) for remote travel, carried on the body. Activate it only in a life-threatening situation where two-way communication is unavailable; keep its registration, contacts and battery current. [5]
Paper map, navigation backup and route details. AMSA recommends paper maps as a backup to electronic navigation. Note the route, access point and a practical meeting place for responders. [5]
A trip plan left with a responsible contact. Include group, route, dates and times, camps or deviations, vehicles and PLB identifier. The contact can notify police if the party is overdue and uncontactable, but the form does not guarantee an automatic search. [6]
A pre-trip check of weather, conditions and closures. [5] [7]

A PLB is not an alternative to calling 000 when a call can be made. [5]

If a possible bite happens: use the kit in the right order

First ensure the scene is safe. Move away from the snake only as needed to get out of immediate danger, then stop the person walking. Ambulance Victoria says a conscious person should remain still and reassured while waiting for help, unless it is too unsafe to stay where they are. [4]

Call 000 immediately and ask for an ambulance. State that a snake bite is suspected, give the best location and follow official instructions. If you have coverage, this comes before trying to identify a snake or perfect the kit setup. [1] [3]
Lay or keep the person still, reassure them and observe them continuously. Bring transport to the person if possible rather than having them walk out. [1] [2]
Apply pressure immobilisation to a bitten limb. Use the broad bandage over the bite and bandage from the fingers or toes up the limb as far as possible, then splint it. Keep the bandage on over clothing where practical. [2] [4]
Write down the bite and bandage times, and leave the bandage and splint in place. Do not wash the site: residue on skin or clothing may help identification. [2] [3]
Watch breathing and responsiveness. If the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally, begin CPR. Resuscitation takes precedence over applying the pressure immobilisation technique. [1] [2]

Bites to the torso, head or neck need different care. For a non-limb bite, ANZCOR says firm direct pressure on the site may be useful, but never restrict chest movement or breathing and do not apply firm pressure to the neck or head. Call 000 and follow the call-taker’s instructions. [2]

If a person is alone, do not make walking out the routine plan. Remain immobile after pressure immobilisation where help can come to the person. Only when urgent help cannot be obtained does ANZCOR allow moving to seek it, after applying local pressure if possible. [2]

What not to rely on or put at the centre of the kit

Do not rely on a venom extractor, suction device, blade, ice, alcohol, tourniquet or identification exercise. Do not cut, suck or wash the bite, and do not apply an arterial tourniquet. [1] [2] Antivenom is administered only under health-professional supervision in a properly equipped medical facility. [1]

Do not catch or kill the snake. Record what happened, symptoms and times; include a safe observation or photograph only if it did not create risk or delay care. [1]

Keep the kit ready, and keep your skills current

Before each trip, check that bandages are dry and undamaged, the marker works, and the phone, maps, trip plan and any beacon are ready. AMSA advises reviewing safety equipment each trip and keeping beacon details current. [5]

Make sure companions know where the kit is, who will call 000 and how the route can be described. Use the kit, contact emergency services promptly and follow their instructions.

Frequently asked questions

How many bandages should a snake-bite kit have?

Pack two broad 10–15 cm roller bandages. Healthdirect’s sequence uses one over the bite and a second from fingers or toes up the limb; ANZCOR prefers elasticised bandages. [2] [3]

Should I use the kit only when I can see fang marks?

No. Australian snake bites may be painless and leave no visible marks. A suspected bite warrants an immediate 000 call, stillness and pressure immobilisation rather than waiting for signs or a species identification. [1] [3]

Can I drive or walk the person out instead of calling an ambulance?

Call 000 first. Bring transport to the person where possible and keep them immobilised. The limited exception is a person alone who cannot obtain urgent help; they may need to move to seek it after applying local pressure if possible. [2]

Is a personal locator beacon a replacement for a phone?

No. A PLB is a backup for a life-threatening situation when two-way communication is unavailable. If you can call, call 000; keep the beacon registered and current. [5]

References

Last reviewed: 17 October 2026. This is general information, not a substitute for medical care.