G'day everyone, I was out at Grabben Gullen with my daughter today scratching around. We got there at 7.30am and the day fine and warm. Perfect Red Bellied Black Snake weather. We expected them to be out soaking up the sun and they were there in force.
In the space of 150 metres we had encountered 5 large, healthy specimens all around 5-6 feet. This season the numbers of snakes at Grabby have exploded. It's always had a reasonable population of blacks with a sprinkling of browns but this year the blacks are everywhere and they are big. Yes, they are passive and will avoid contact with humans but if you tread on one then you are in big trouble.
If you are thinking of visiting then be very aware and WATCH WHERE YOU WALK!
ALWAYS CARRY 2 PRESSURE BANDAGES and know how to use them.
DONT FOSSICK ALONE, a friend with you can save your life.
COMMUNICATION, a handheld UHF radio is good(Emergency channel 5) or mobile phone (Emergency dial 112). Tell someone where you are going and when you will be home.
DONT PANIC IF YOU ARE BITTEN, irrigate bite straight away, apply a pressure bandage working from just above the bite to the end of the limb and back up to the groin if a leg bite or armpit if hand or arm.
DONT TRY TO KILL A SNAKE, 95% of bites occur when trying to kill a snake.
SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION WITHOUT DELAY. Time is critical and remember what the snake looked like. This will help medical staff with the correct Antivenom.
I hope this helps as some people may go ill prepared and/or not know what to do if bitten.
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