Snake bite first aid in Australia
By CBD College · Reviewed by our training team · Updated 6 June 2026 · 4 min read
For a snake bite, apply the pressure immobilisation technique: keep the person still and calm, firmly bandage the bite area and then the whole limb and splint it to stop movement. Call Triple Zero (000). Do not wash, cut, suck the bite, or apply a tourniquet, and don't try to catch the snake.
Do not
- Do not wash the bite — venom on the skin helps identify the snake.
- Do not cut the wound or try to suck out venom.
- Do not apply a tourniquet.
- Do not try to catch or kill the snake.
Frequently asked questions
How tight should the bandage be?▾
As firm as for a sprained ankle — tight, but not so tight it cuts off circulation.
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