"Snakes . . . I hate snakes."

[sambar358]

Jack....not much to add to my original post....the victims name was Shane Tatti and he was 20 years old and from Orbost in East Gippsland. He was working along the Snowy River 15min south of Orbost with 2 co-workers doing some work along the riverbank for the local catchement management authority. He was in his full working kit and was struck high on the arm as he bent down to move some rocks, the snake hung onto him and struck him repeatedly before it was forcibly removed and then it had a serious go at his co-workers ! This incident was briefly reported in the Vic Herald Sun newspaper on December 20th and about the same time in the local rag here but few details were given.....the incident occured on November 8th and Shane died as a result 2 days later.

Shane was a keen hunter, fisherman and outdoors person and being an Orbost local he would have been well-versed in the ways of poisonous snakes....I believe that the correct application of pressure bandages was undertaken on-site by his 2 co-workers before he was rushed to Orbost hospital but that is only what I've heard 3rd-hand. However I would think that the outdoor crews from the CMA and the like would be well-versed in the treatement of snake bites and their vehicles would be suitably equipped to handle these eventualities. It was likely that he was hit on a main vein or artery and being early in the "snake-season" the large tiger snake would have been highly venomous, likely hungry and as they all seem to be when in this state......extremely aggressive. Cheers

s358

Last edited by sambar358 on Sun 28 Dec, 2014 6:06 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Pika]

My wife nearly stood on this tiger last weekend.

It had just had breakfast and was in no shape to move.

Instead it was content to make threatening gestures as we gave it a wide birth and continued our journey.

[Overlandman]

Hi Jack & Sambar 358,
I read the story in the Herald Sun last Saturday 20th December, It was sad reading. Not sure if it was an editorial mistake but it read"
His Snowy River Riparian colleagues rushed to his side & managed to pull the snake off him. They then frantically applied a tourniquet before he was taken to Orbost Regional Health"

So if a tourniquet was applied, & not a broad pressure bandage the bite area may have been in an area that the pressure bandage would have been of little use.

Jack check your pm

[sambar358]

Overlandman....I was told by one of Shanes mates that he was hit repeatedly high on the arm near the shoulder so that could have made the application of a pressure bandage difficult hence the reference to the tourniquet. It could also be that the Herald Sun reporter got the facts wrong here too in this regards.....not sure either way. But he was at the Orbost Hospital quite quickly then later transfered to Bairnsdale where anti-venenine was administered.....so he was treated quickly at the location and then received proper medical care but all to no avail.

Obviously some snake bite locations lend themselves better to the correct pressure bandage applications than others and while the classic "dead-centre on the leg type hit" might be easier to bandage it often doesn't occur that way in real-life. I think that anyone venturing outdoors in the warmer months when snakes are about should carry several constrictive pressure bandages that are designed to be used in snake/spider bite situations and of course be aware of their correct use and application. I carry 3 "Setopress" pressure in my daypack at all times whether hunting, fishing or just poking-about anywhere that a snake encounter may be on-the-cards. These have a pattern on them that expands to a square when the correct amount of stretch is achieved and this off-set shape also acts as a guide for the correct amount of bandage overlap when applying it. http://store.independenceaustralia.com/ ... -5mtr.html

I've had a few practice runs with one of these bandages and it was interesting to note that a serious amount of pressure was needed when applying it to get the bandage to stretch properly so that the correct "square" shape icon was evident....a lot more than I would use with the old elastic bandages that I used to carry for snake bite. I view the carrying of a couple of pressure bandages for snake bite a bit like my GME PLB.....I hope that I never need to use either....but it is assuring to know that they are right there in the pack should the need arise. Cheers

s358

[Overlandman]

S358
Thanks for the reply. Also for reminding me about the Setopress bandages, they have been mentioned on the forum previously.
I tried to order 4 from your site but they are out of stock.
I have a few broad bandages in the reptile room, my car & backpack, thankfully never had to use them. My 2 tiger snakes are now 5 ft long, they were born in January 2000.
It was sad to read about Shane .
Regards Overlandman

[neilmny]

..........I've had a few practice runs with one of these bandages and it was interesting to note that a serious amount of pressure was needed when applying it to get the bandage to stretch properly so that the correct "square" shape icon was evident....a lot more than I would use with the old elastic bandages that I used to carry for snake bite..............

I have two of these myself and they travel with me when fly fishing, day walking or overnighting as well as a PLB. I hope I never use either.
Given that these are really designed for leg ulcer treatment, which pressure setting is correct for a snake bite, green rectangles or brown rectangles?
I think the brain in a crisis would dictate brown and it's a good thing that the rectangles are there to influence the limit of tension applied.
It would be difficult to not be inclined to crank them up very tight otherwise. Both settings are comfortable, are both settings effective?
I believe it is also important to mark the bandage as close as possible to the bite so that medico's can see where it is before taking the bandage off.
I feel a practice session with the clan coming up.

[peregrinator]

S358
Thanks for the reply. Also for reminding me about the Setopress bandages, they have been mentioned on the forum previously.
. . .
Regards Overlandman

This link comments briefly on Setopress bandages and also has summaries of a few useful studies:

https://www.wild.com.au/reviews/item/treating-snakebite-using-setopress-bandage

It seems a splint might be helpful. At the very least, it would encourage immobilisation.

[ofuros]

There's a few more here. https://ofuros.exposure.co/snakes#view: ... mf9j7o79od
if you need another slithery snake hit.....