The recent, warmer weather has coincided with increased snake and spider activity, prompting safety and first aid advice from NSW Ambulance paramedics.
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In October, paramedics attended 28 calls for snake bites alone across NSW; an increase on September’s total of 14, and higher than the 19 recorded for the same October period last year.
NSW Ambulance Inspector John Brotherhood said snakes in particular are on the move, looking for food and a mate after their winter hibernation.
Inspector Brotherhood said in the 12 months to August 31 this year, paramedics attended 727 incidents involving snakes and spiders, a reduction on last year’s total of 813 incidents.
The 2015-16 total includes 45 patients with suspected funnel web bites (compared with 65 for 2014-15), 215 (248) with suspected snake bites and a balance of 466 with spider bites in general. (Please note these were suspected cases reported to the Triple Zero (000) call taker.)
In regional breakdowns, the Hunter attracted the most number of calls with 100 (87), followed by Western Sydney with 96 (137), and South West Sydney 74 (82). (Regional breakdowns below).
Recent cases include:
- 50-year-old male bitten on the leg by a snake in the Cunnawarra National Park at Ebor on Saturday;
- 44-year-old female bitten by a suspected funnel web spider on the forearm at Heathcote on October 27;
- 85-year-old female bitten on the finger by a brown snake at Bland on October 25;
- Seven-year-old boy bitten on the calf by a tiger snake at Bungendore on October 16;
- 72-year-old male bitten by a brown snake on the leg at Cartwright on October 10;
- 14-year-old male bitten on the foot by a brown snake at Greta on October 9; and
- 32-year-old female bitten on the calf by a snake at Tarcutta on October 8.
Inspector Brotherhood said paramedics are urging caution.
“Around the home, remove piled up debris from the yard and keep lawns mowed to reduce the potential for unexpected visitors,” he said.
“Check items of clothing that have been left outside before wearing them. Paramedics attend many cases where people have put on boots and gloves and been bitten by spiders and even snakes which were hidden inside. Also, if you lift something such as a rock or log, lift it with it facing away from you.”
In the event of a snake or spider bite, people should call Triple Zero (000) and ask for an ambulance. Also, first aid for snake and spider bites varies depending on the species and included:
For snakes and funnel web spiders:
- if the bite is on a limb, apply a pressure immobilisation bandage. The bandage should not cut off the circulation;
- if the bite is not on a limb, apply direct, firm pressure to the bite site with your hands. Keep the patient still and discourage them from walking around; and
- never cut or excise the wound. Do not attempt to suck out the venom and don’t apply a tourniquet.
For spiders (eg redbacks, white-tails, trapdoors):
- apply an ice pack or cold compress to relieve the pain; and
- if severe symptoms develop, seek medical aid; and
- in the case of small children involved in a suspected redback spider bite, medical aid should be sought, irrespective of whether symptoms manifest.
To have a snake safely removed from a property call your local wildlife care organisation, a licensed pest control operator or your local NPWS Office. Alternatively, if you need assistance or advice on snakes and other reptiles, contact WIRES on 1300 094 737.
WIRES advises snakes are generally placid creatures and if left alone will invariably disappear of their own accord. People are advised to never approach a snake as many people are bitten either trying to catch or get rid of a snake.
Inspector Brotherhood said NSW Ambulance paramedics attend many cases where it did not always transpire that patients had been bitten by a poisonous snake or spider, however it is better to call Triple Zero (000) for assistance to be on the safe side.
Snake and spider bites – September 1, 2015, to August 31, 2016.
Breakdown by region:
- Sydney 34
- Northern Sydney 46
- South Eastern Sydney 22
- South West Sydney 74
- Western Sydney 96
- Northern Rivers 67
- Mid North Coast 59
- Central Coast 50
- Hunter 100
- New England 30
- Central West 18
- Central & Far West 22
- Illawarra 51
- Murrumbidgee 24
- Southern NSW 34
