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First aid · Australia

Snake and venomous bites

Treat every suspected Australian snake bite and funnel-web spider bite as an emergency: call 000, keep the person completely still and apply pressure immobilisation when indicated. The same technique is used for suspected blue-ringed octopus, cone shell and sea snake envenomation. Do not wash, cut, suck or tourniquet the bite.

Medical emergency? Call 000

What to do

  1. Move away; call 000

    Move away from the animal and call 000 for a suspected snake, funnel-web spider, blue-ringed octopus, cone shell or sea snake bite, or for serious symptoms.

    Take care. Do not catch, kill or handle the animal.

  2. Keep completely still

    Keep the person calm and completely still. Bring the ambulance to them and do not let them walk. Do not try to catch or handle the animal; a photo is optional only if safe and it must not delay care.

    Take care. Do not make the person walk or remove the pressure bandage or splint while waiting for hospital care.

  3. Selected venomous limb bites: bandage and splint

    For a suspected venomous limb bite, apply a broad pressure bandage over the bite, then a second firm bandage from the fingers or toes upwards. Splint the limb and keep it still; mark the bite and bandage time if possible.

    Take care. Do not wash, cut, excise or suck a suspected venomous bite.

    Take care. Do not apply an arterial tourniquet.

  4. Bites elsewhere; breathing takes priority

    For a non-limb bite, firm direct pressure may help, but do not restrict breathing or apply pressure to the head, neck or chest. If resuscitation is needed, CPR takes priority.

  5. Other bites and stings: choose the right pathway

    For other spider or marine bites and stings, do not assume pressure immobilisation is correct. Follow the species and location-specific pathway, use the blue-ringed article when relevant and seek urgent care for severe symptoms.

    Take care. Do not use pressure immobilisation for redback or other non-funnel-web spider bites, jellyfish, fish, scorpion, centipede or beetle stings.

Know when to act

When to get help

  • Call 000 for any suspected snake, funnel-web spider, blue-ringed octopus, cone shell or sea snake bite, or for breathing difficulty, collapse, paralysis, severe pain, rapidly worsening symptoms or anaphylaxis.

Children and babies

  • Children need the same emergency pathway, with pressure bandages and splints sized to the limb. A suspected venomous bite may look small or painless; keep the child still and call 000 rather than waiting for symptoms.

Keep checking

  • Keep the person and bandaged limb still under constant observation. If unresponsive and not breathing normally, remove delay to CPR and follow the 000 call-taker.

What you may notice

  • Snake or funnel-web spider bites may be painless or leave little visible damage.
  • Blue-ringed octopus bites can be painless; numbness around the mouth, tight chest, weakness or breathing trouble may follow.
  • Venom effects can include sweating, nausea, weakness, tingling, paralysis, breathing difficulty or collapse.
  • The person may deteriorate while appearing well at first, so do not wait for symptoms before calling 000.

When help arrives

  • Keep the person and bandaged limb still under constant observation, and do not remove the pressure bandage or splint before hospital care.
  • Tell responders the time, location, suspected animal, bite site and bandage time without trying to catch the animal.
  • If the person becomes unresponsive and is not breathing normally, start CPR immediately; CPR takes priority over pressure immobilisation.

Other useful answers

Which bites and stings need pressure immobilisation?

Use it for all Australian venomous snake bites, funnel-web spiders, blue-ringed octopus and cone shells. It is not recommended for redback or other spider bites, jellyfish, fish, scorpion, centipede or beetle stings.

What if the bite is painless?

Treat a suspected venomous bite as an emergency even if the skin looks normal or the bite is painless. This includes blue-ringed octopus bites.

Marine bites need their own pathway

Blue-ringed octopus first aid

Sources and last update

Content updated: August 2026.

These sources inform the guidance. This independent resource is not a substitute for a first aid course or medical assessment. An editorial update is not independent clinical review. Source organisations have not endorsed this site.

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