SNAKE BITe SEASON IS UPON US. BE SMART. read on.

You SO Smart. Because You're Ready for Snake Season.

Yer—snakes scare the daylights out of me. Always have.

Maybe it’s the close encounter 'the little bastard almost got me' stories you hear in the pub or maybe it’s just that Australia is home to some of the nastiest snakes on the planet. Dunno. But I do not like them. 

Fear aside, snakebite safety isn’t just a birdwatching bushwalker’s problem. For anyone working in mining, heavy industry, or remote projects, snake season is serious business.

I'm serious.

Whether you’re out on site, running exploration drills, or even just heading to the crib hut through long grass—you’re in their backyard.

And when a brown, taipan, or red-bellied black decides to cross your path, you don’t get a second chance to wish you had the right kit handy.

That’s why I want to talk about the dangers of snakebite, the OHS responsibilities we all share, and most importantly—the simple steps and gear that can make the difference between life and death.

I have been known to be overly dramatic. But not this time

Snakebites in Australia. The deadly truth...

Each year, around 3,000 Aussies get bitten by snakes. I would have never guessed that many.

Two lives are lost on average.

A single wrong move, or a delayed response in a remote location, can be catastrophic.

The scariest part?

A snakebite might not even hurt.

Sometimes there are no fang marks, no blood, no drama—just a scratch.

Meanwhile, the venom could already be racing through the lymphatic system, waiting to cause all these nasties...

• Sudden cardiovascular collapse (within 10–60 minutes of a bite)
• Severe bleeding due to clotting issues
• Paralysis of breathing muscles
• Kidney failure from muscle breakdown

In mining and heavy industry—where remote sites and high-risk work are the norm—these aren’t abstract medical notes. They’re OHS realities.

Be smart. Read and remember this - The Pressure Immobilisation Technique (PIT). Why It’s the Game Changer

Here’s where training and the right kit come into play.

The number one first aid response for snakebite in Australia is the pressure immobilisation technique (PIT).

1. Keep the patient still and calm.

2. Apply a broad elastic bandage over the bite site first.  Cover the bite itself straight away. 

3. Then, continue bandaging down the limb to the hand or foot, and back up again to as high as possible (groin for a leg, armpit for an arm). 

4. Apply firm pressure (like for a sprained ankle) but not so tight it cuts off circulation. 

5. Immobilise the limb with a splint and keep the patient still until help arrives.

If you've ever experienced a snake bite situation you'll know all of the above is easier said than done.

Try doing PIT properly without the right gear and training—and your bitten workmate unable to calm the farm - it’s bloody hard.

Remote Operations. Why Snake Safety is an OHS Must

Mining companies and contractors already know the score. Every risk, from noise to dust to fatigue, has to be managed.

Snakebite is no different.

Under the Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Act 1999 (QLD), employers owe a duty of care to provide safe working conditions—and that means proper first aid preparedness.

On remote mine sites, exploration rigs, or rural workshops, the dangers multiply

1. Distance from hospitals means reliance on the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS).
2. Time delays for antivenom access could be hours, not minutes.
3. Heat and terrain make immobilisation and patient movement even harder.

That’s why every site OHS plan should coverrrrr...

• Snake awareness and avoidance training
• Stocking certified Snake Bite Kits in vehicles, site offices, and first aid stations
• Regular PIT refresher drills (practice counts)
• Clear comms for medical emergencies, including RFDS contact

If you're sitting in the smoko room right now have a chat and see who can honestly say they know how to apply a bandage over a snake bite the correct way.

I bet you a vegemite sammidge half of those you ask will not know. 

Snake Safety Basics Everyone Should Follow

1. Wear PPE smartly - boots, jeans, and gloves reduce risk.
2. Stay alert. Snakes love rock piles, long grass, and shady corners near crib huts.
3. Make noise. Stomp or use torches when walking at night.
4. Don’t be a hero.  Never try to kill or handle a snake—leave it to licensed catchers.
5. Keep sites tidy. Less junk and food scraps = fewer mice = fewer snakes.

Time for the product hard sell.

That isn't actually hard to sell.

Why We Back FASTAID’s #SlowTheVenomWithFastAid campaign.

A kit is only as good as the gear inside it.

FASTAID’s Aspire Edition Snake Bite Kit (FAAB30) is built for real worksites:

• Includes their **Evo-Bandage**, with printed tension indicators so you know when you’ve got it right.
• Compact, rugged pouch—easy to throw in a ute, carry bag, or site shed.
• Developed in line with the Australian Resuscitation Council’s recommendations.

For mining, construction, and field crews, it’s not just “nice to have”—it’s essential kit.

One wrong step in the scrub, and this could be the thing that saves a life.

Click to view the Snake Bite Kit from FastAid.

Little-Known  "You SO Smart" Fact to Impress at Smoko

Here’s one that’ll win you the “smarty pants” award at smoko.

Snakes don’t inject venom straight into your bloodstream. Nope — it actually hitches a ride through your lymphatic system, which is slower but steady, like the dodgy apprentice who takes three trips to fetch the one tool.

That’s why keeping still and strapping on the right bandage works a treat — it slows the venom’s “apprentice run.”

Tell the crew that one, and watch ’em look at you like you’re a doctor.

Final Word (From a Snake-Scared Bloke)

I don’t like snakes. Never will. But I like the thought of my crew, customers, and community coming home safe at the end of the day.

Snake season is upon us, and whether you’re knee-deep in mining gear or just heading out bush, the rule is the same - be prepared, know your environment, know the "PIT" drill, and keep a FASTAID Snake Bite Kit or any snake bite kit close by.

Because when venom moves fast, you’ve only got one job. SLOW. THAT. F*CKER. DOWN.

As the weather heats up, stay snake-savvy and safe out there,

Cheers - Craig

P.S If you're keen to get your hands on some kit email [email protected] ASAP. We've ordered a few but they are going like hot snakes.