Clear, easy-to-follow first aid guidance for one of the most critical emergency scenarios in Australian first aid — snake and spider bites. Designed to sit alongside a Pressure Immobilisation Bandage kit, this instruction card walks the user through recognising a bite, applying the correct Pressure Immobilisation Technique (PIT), and what to do (and avoid) while waiting for emergency services.
Key features:
- Step-by-step Pressure Immobilisation Technique (PIT) instructions, including bandaging from fingertips/toes upward and full-limb coverage
- Illustrated guidance for foam splint application and arm sling techniques
- Clear list of what PIT should and shouldn't be used on (venomous snakes, funnel-web and mouse spiders, blue-ringed octopus, cone shell stings vs red-back and other spider bites, jellyfish, and bee/wasp stings)
- Snake bite and spider bite symptom checklists to help identify a suspected bite early
- A "DO" and "DO NOT" action list covering critical first aid do's and don'ts (e.g. never wash the bite site, never apply a tourniquet, never attempt to catch the snake)
- Built-in Bite Record section to log patient details, bite location, and bandage application time — useful information for treating paramedics
- Reference to Qld Health Poisons Information for bites and stings outside the PIT scope
Use on: All Australian venomous snake bites (including sea snakes), funnel-web and mouse spider bites, blue-ringed octopus bites, and cone shell stings.
Do not use on: Other spider bites (including white-tailed and red-back spiders), jellyfish stings, stonefish and other fish stings, or bee and wasp stings — separate first aid steps are provided for these.
This information is a guide only and does not replace formal first aid training or professional medical attention. Always seek immediate medical care if a snake or spider bite is suspected.