Teachig Snake Saftey! how and what do you teach??

[AnyDream]

From a young age, we have practised saying "Danger! snake" and "Danger! don't touch" when looking at story books with snake pictures...and reinforcing with messages like what would you do if you see a snake in the garden...move away and come and tell a grown up, we don't touch snakes etc. The "Danger!" (said with drama, like an exclamation) word is a handy concept because you can then apply to other situations, like electrical cords and running onto roads, when you need to get their attention fast.

[Inanna]

Great topic to discuss & one I also think is important.
We live in a place that we have lots of snakes. There is a 6ft red belly black asleep today near the cow paddock in the sun. She lives there & has done for a long time. I had a very large python living underneath my house that scared the crappolla out of me numerous times - she was ginormous. HUGE. The snake rescue man came and rehomed her as she ate all of my chookies and I reckon she'd have a go at Gloria the ****z/malt that is part of our family.
My kids go to a school that is set in the rainforest - snakes are a part of daily life. There was one in the bookcase of year 2 a few weeks ago... They live with us & like Epacaris I believe we need to respect them. Snakes bite when they are cornered or scared. Having said that in the 15 year history of our school there has been no snake bites and at least a snake a week in the school. I like to think it's because the kids know what to do. They are trained from kindy. You STOP. You stay STILL. You call for HELP SNAKE. You quietly move away.

I've lived in country areas a good part of my life. Ive come faxe to face with a king brown and a death adder & applied both principals. The death adder when I was a wee 5 year old in an out back dusty town!.

I've treated snake bite in hospital and every person was trying to kill the snake - usually with a shovel...

Me tarzan you jane doesn't work with snakes!

My kids are wary but believe them beautiful and part of the world that we live in. I personally think this is the best ideal to instill...

[Inanna]

Just wanted to add. Take your kids to a snake show - somewhere they can be educated about snakes and taught of their beauty and their rightful place in our world. Yes be wary but really we are more dangerous to snakes than snakes are to us. I personally don't teach that they are dangerous. I teach caution. Don't touch. but I add because you are so much bigger you look scary to the snake & it might attempt to protect it'self as this is it's instinct...

We have a yearly snake demonstraion at school and first aid and identification of snakes & of course how to react is reinforxced to the children...

[beckoes]

some really great advice! thanks! I dont want her to be affraid of them so i think teaching caution and respect is best....but also probably a bit harder!

I have tried to do similar with spiders but for some reason she is freaked out by them! maybe its just instinct, my mum was a screaming mess everytime she saw a spider and i didnt want to put that on DD....even though i want to scream....i even held a bloody daddy long legs that was hidding behind the loo but she wasnt keen on it atall! There was a huge huntsman in the new house when we were looking around and she wouldnt even go in the room.

I think if i saw a snake i would be in such amazment i would probably just stand a stare at it, so i think i have to teach my self as much as i have to teach her! its good to have a little mantra i think....il work on that.
Thanks again

[Inanna]

I am scared of snakes too. As much as I don't want to be they freak me a bit. Having said that they also amaze me completely. I find them fascinating. I am so glad my children respect them, are cautious but don't see them as something to fear.

[~Kim~]

I have tried to do similar with spiders but for some reason she is freaked out by them! maybe its just instinct, my mum was a screaming mess everytime she saw a spider and i didnt want to put that on DD....even though i want to scream....i even held a bloody daddy long legs that was hidding behind the loo but she wasnt keen on it atall!

That is so true. My mum was the same and made a huge deals out of all things yuck, so even though on the inside it's awful, I am really aware of the kids watching me. It has paid off. DD used to be pertified of everything that moved, and now through positive exposure she's pretty good. If she sees a spider/lizard/bug of any description/mouse she'll tell her father it's there, but 'don't worry dad mum will take it outside'.
I totally agree with Inanna about the positive exposure to snakes too. We've taken the kids to a few and DD is quite proud about her knowledge.

The thing we've had to scare her about though is crocs and the waterways up here....healthy respect just doesn't cut it with them.

[Epacris]

I just wanted to add that the correct first aid for snake bite is the pressure immobilisation technique (it is quite specific and has changed over the years).

I thought this site described it best: Australian Venom Research Unit or here Pressure Immobilisation Technique

To summarise:

Pressure Immobilisation Technique

The pressure-immobilisation first aid technique was developed in the 1970's by Professor Struan Sutherland. Its purpose is to retard the movement of venom from the bite site into the circulation, thus "buying time" for the patient to reach medical care. Research with snake venom has shown that very little venom reaches the blood stream if firm pressure is applied over the bitten area and the limb is immobilised. Pressure-immobilisation was initially developed to treat snakebite, but it is also applicable to bites and stings by some other venomous creatures. It is currently recommended for most life threatening venomous bites and stings in Australia.

Pressure-immobilisation is recommended for:
- all species of Australian snakes, including sea snakes
- funnel web spiders
- bee, wasp and ant stings in allergic individuals
- blue ringed octopus
- cone shell stings

Do not use pressure-immobilisation first aid for:
- spider bites other than from a funnel web spider
- jelly fish stings
- stonefish and other fish stings
- bee, wasp and ant stings in non-allergic individuals
- bites by scorpions, centipedes, beetles

Bites to the lower limb
1. Call 000 for an ambulance
2. Apply a broad pressure bandage over the bite site as soon as possible. Crepe bandages are ideal, but any flexible material may be used. Clothing, towels etc may be torn into strips. Panty hose have been successfully used.
Do not take clothing off as the movement of doing so will promote the movement of venom into the blood stream. Keep the patient (and the bitten or stung limb) still.
3. Bandage upwards from the lower portion of the bitten or stung limb. Even though a little venom may be squeezed upwards, the bandage will be more comfortable, and therefore can be left in place for longer if required.
4. The bandage should be as tight as you would apply to a sprained ankle. Extend the bandage as high as possible up the limb.
5. Apply a splint to the leg. Any rigid object may be used as a splint. e.g. spade, piece of wood or tree branch, rolled up newspapers etc.
6. Bind it firmly to as much of the leg as possible.
7. Keep the patient still. Lie the patient down to prevent walking or moving around. Have the patient taken immediately by ambulance to the emergency department of the nearest hospital.

Bites to the hand or forearm
1. Call 000 for an ambulance
2. Bandage as much of the arm as possible, starting at the fingers
3. Use a splint to the elbow
4. Use a sling to immobilise the arm
5. Keep the patient still. Lie the patient down to prevent walking or moving around. Have the patient taken immediately by ambulance to the emergency department of the nearest hospital.

Bites to the trunk
1. Call 000 for an ambulance
2. If possible apply firm pressure over the bitten or stung area. Do not restrict chest movement. Keep the patient still. Have the patient taken immediately by ambulance to the emergency department of the nearest hospital.

Bites to the head or neck
1. Call 000 for an ambulance
2. No first aid for bitten or stung area. Keep the patient still. Have the patient taken immediately by ambulance to the emergency department of the nearest hospital.

Additional information:
- Research stresses the importance of keeping the patient still. This includes all the limbs.
- Do NOT cut or excise the bitten or stung area
- Do NOT apply an arterial tourniquet. (Arterial tourniquets, which cut off the circulation to the limb, are potentially dangerous, and are no longer recommended for any type of bite or sting in Australia.)
- Do NOT wash the bitten or stung area. The type of snake involved may be identified by the detection of venom on the skin.

Note: Even if the bitten or stung person is ill when first seen, the application of pressure-immobilisation first aid may prevent further absorption of venom from the bite or sting site during transport to hospital. If the bandages and splint have been applied correctly, they will be comfortable and may be left on for several hours. They should not be taken off until the patient has reached medical care. The treating doctor will decide when to remove the bandages. If a significant amount of venom has been injected, it may move into the blood stream very quickly when the bandages are removed. They should be left in position until appropriate antivenom and resuscitation equipment has been assembled. Bandages may be quickly reapplied if clinical deterioration occurs, and left on until antivenom therapy has been effective.