Final-community Guide 03 04

Noosa. The Rural Futures Network and Noosa               immobilised using a splint or sling; a bitten leg can
District Landcare Group are based in Pomona.             be bound to patient’s other leg.
Others include the Lake Macdonald Catchment              5. Call an ambulance, giving precise direction as to
Care Group, Save Today Our Parkland, Noosa               your location. Bring transport as close to the victim
Integrated Catchment Association (NICA), the             as possible.
Wilvos, Seabird Rescue and the Friends of the            6. Ask the patient questions to obtain a brief
Botanic Gardens.                                         medical history, e.g. is the victim an asthmatic or
                                                         using any medication ?
In the interests of saving the planet, Noosa
                                                         7. DO NOT give alcohol under any circumstances.
Council is a participant in the international
                                                         If respiration stops, administer mouth-to-mouth
Cities for Climate Protection programme and in
                                                         resuscitation.
May 2003 was awarded its third Gold Star for
                                                         8. The pressure bandage should not be removed
progressive       achievement.        A   Greenhouse
                                                         except by medical staff.
Management Action Plan has been prepared to
help reduce local greenhouse gas emissions.              • Antivenoms are now available for the bites of all
Details are available on Council’s website               venomous Australian snakes. With prompt action,
www.noosa.qld.gov.au or copies of the Plan are           proper first aid and medical treatment, surviving
available for purchase at the Council office for         even the most serious of snake bites has a high
$15.                                                     probability.

SNAKES                                                                  • Symptoms of snake bite can vary

Snakes are part of our landscape, our                                   greatly between victims. Generalised

environment. Killing them is not only                                   initial symptoms such as headache,

dangerous but will affect the stability of                              vomiting and sweating can occur

wildlife habitats.                                                      within a short time of receiving a
                                                                        venomous bite. Within one to two
Most venomous snake bites occur                                         hours the lymph nodes nearest the bite
during attempts to kill or catch snakes,                 (usually groin or armpit) become swollen. Severe
therefore the very best advice is to leave them alone.   abdominal and/or chest pains, diarrhoea, double or
All snakes should be regarded as potentially             blurred vision and difficulty swallowing are
dangerous and all snake bites should be                  associated symptoms which may or may not occur.
immediately treated.
                                                         • Snake-Catcher : At the time of publication
The technique developed by the Commonwealth
                                                           snake-catchers registered by the Queensland
Serum Laboratory is :
                                                           Parks & Wildlife Service included :
1. Remove the patient from danger. Do not
                                                         • Lee Kain (Cooroy) 5447 9239;
attempt to catch the snake, but note any
distinguishing characteristics to assist with            • Rob            McLeod          (Coolum      Beach)
identification.                                            tel : 5446 1471; M. 0408 461 471
2. Reassure and keep the patient as calm and as still    • Kurt         &      Jennifer     Ison    (Beerwah)
as possible. Do not clean, or even wipe, the bite.         tel: 5494 6967; M. 0414 720 190
Venom residue from skin or clothing can help             • Richard Jackson (Glass House Mountains),
medical staff identify the species.                        tel : 5494 6474
3. Apply a broad, firm bandage directly over the
                                                         • John Rudder (Maroochydore )
bite and as far up the limb as possible, remembering
                                                           tel: 5443 5754
to keep the limb still. Even removing clothing
                                                         • Clive Wood (Narangba) tel : 3886 6187
would cause movement which must be avoided.
The same tension that you would use for a sprained       • Robert Turner (Deception Bay)
ankle is enough; the aim is to restrict the lymph          tel : 3204 7454
flow and not restrict the blood flow. The bandage        • For further information on snake-catching,
should be able to be tolerated comfortably for some        telephone               the
hours if necessary. (Crepe bandages are the most           Queensland Parks &
ideal, but torn up clothing can substitute.)               Wildlife           Service
4. Immobilise the limb by applying a splint, over          district       office   on
clothing if necessary.      A bitten arm can be            5443 8944.



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