3.Observe the Snake to See What It Looks Like and Where It Goes

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Ground staff are to complete circuit of community each morning and report track sightings to Principal. School staff inspections prior to all play times following a sighting. Areas will be cleaned up by Maintenance to prevent further inhabitation. Contact Ambulance emergency number – (RFDS 1800 625 800 in remote areas)

Students

1.If you see a snake on school premises. Stand very still. When it is safe, slowly move away from the snake.

2.Watch the snake from a safe distance and tell another student to tell the teacher on duty.

3.Observe the snake to see what it looks like and where it goes.

Staff

1. Move all children away from the sighting of the sake for safety.

1. Assume the snake to be venomous. Do not attempt to ‘flush it out.’

1. Ask for information from the sighting as to the identification of the snake.

1. Contact an adult snake catcher to have the snake removed.

1. In the event of a person being bitten by a snake call RFDS 1800 625 800 in remote areas and refer to the ‘First Aid for Snake Bites’ information sheet attached to this policy. Contact Parent/Carer and consult child’ medical file located at school administration office.

FIRST AID FOR SNAKE BITES

Contact Ambulance emergency number – (RFDS 1800 625 800 in remote areas.) Do not panic.

Identification of the snake species can be obtained through samples of the patient's blood or urine, and from venom around the bite area.

If the species of snake still remains uncertain, a poly-anti -venene may be used, which is suitable for treatment of all venomous snake bites.

Have person remain who has sustained snake bite calm, lie down and immobilise the bitten area.

Have another member of staff ring RFDS Number 1800 625 800 and seek medical help from a doctor on the telephone.

Take a broad bandage and bind along the limb starting at the bite area, at the same pressure as for a sprain.

Then bandage down the limb and continue back up the entire limb over and above the bite area.

Go over the top of clothing such as jeans rather than remove clothing.

Immobilise the limb with a splint. Lie down and keep the limb completely still until help arrives.

Do not elevate the limb or attempt to walk or run.

Do not wash the wound. Venom left on the skin will help doctors identify the snake and administer the appropriate anti-venene.

First Aid for Australian Snake Bite Immobilization/Pressure Bandage Technique Principle

Contact Ambulance emergency number – (RFDS 1800 625 800 in remote areas)

Injected venom is mainly distributed by the body’s lymphatic system, which is heavily influenced by patient movement. Decreased patient movement = decreased venom distribution.

Ensure that patient (& other people) are no longer at risk. Reassure patient. Ensure they lie down & keep still.

Monitor airway, breathing & circulation & support as necessary.

First aid MUST be started immediately Do not ignore a trivial bite, especially if suspected to be from a species of Brown Snake

Don’t interfere with the bite in any way Don’t remove any clothing. Remove all jewellery from bitten limb.

Apply heavy weight crepe bandage(s) with even pressure.

Bandage over clothing or cut up seam to allow access to skin Start at extremity & work up arm or leg.

Include fingers or toes to minimise movement Use same pressure as to bandage a sprained wrist or ankle.

Be careful not to apply bandage too loosely. Mark location of bite on bandage (for venom detection in hospital).

Immobilise limb with splint or improvise as necessary Ensure that joints (of arm or leg) are effectively immobilised.

Contact Ambulance emergency number – (RFDS 1800 625 800 in remote areas)

Follow professional advice regarding transport of patient.

Patient must remain still. Bring transport to patient if possible. No food or drink except sips of water (only on victim’s request.)

Patient must be transported quickly & passively to hospital (preferably by ambulance.)

First Aid for Bites to the Lower Limb

Contact Ambulance emergency number – (RFDS 1800 625 800 in remote areas)

As soon as possible, apply a broad pressure bandage from below the bite site, upward on the affected limb (starting at the fingers or toes, bandaging upward as far as possible). Leave the tips of the fingers or toes un-bandaged to allow the victim’s circulation to be checked.

It is vital to now apply a splint. Bind a stick or suitable rigid item over the initial bandage to splint the limb. Secure the splint to the bandaged limb by using another bandage, (if another bandage is not available, use clothing strips or similar to bind).

It is very important to keep the bitten limb still. Bind the splint firmly, to as much of the limb as possible, to prevent muscle, limb and joint movement. This will help restrict venom movement.

Aid for Bites on the Hand or Forearm

As soon as possible, apply a broad pressure bandage from the fingers of the affected arm, bandaging upward as far as possible.

Bandage the arm with the elbow in a bent position, to ensure the victim is comfortable with their arm in a sling. Leave the tips of the fingers un‐bandaged to allow the victim’s circulation to be checked.

Bind a splint along the forearm. 3 Use a sling to further prevent limb movement.

Snakes that may be sighted. Reference: http://www.anaesthesia.med.usyd.edu.au/resources/venom/snakebite.html

The Brown Snake may be found all over Australia.

The king brown (Mulga) snake is found in all arid parts of Australia.

Snake Policy and First Aid for Snake Bites – Wulungarra Community School – Principal: Reviewed – School Committee, April 2016