Section 9 - First Aid

This section does not intend to detail first aid for all scenarios, however it gives you excellent resources to support you should you find any of your participants who may require first aid.

First Aid - Smartphone Apps

Most of our leaders will hold a current First Aid certificate.  Whether you have this or not, we ask that all of our crew download one (or both) of the following First Aid apps for a quick reference on the trail if you have any person (within the group or not) requiring first aid.

St John Ambulance smartphone app: https://www.stjohnqld.com.au/Training/First-Aid-Resources/Mobile-Phone-Apps

Red Cross Australia smartphone app: https://www.redcross.org.au/get-involved/learn/first-aid/first-aid-app

Please use the app to review the following common conditions:

• Bleeding

• Head Injury

• Seizure

• Fracture

• Choking

• Insect Stings

• Diabetic Emergency

• Asthma Attack

• Snake bites

First Aid - Snake Bites

When unprovoked, snakes rarely attack humans.  Therefore, do not disturb a snake in your pathway, simply alert the other members of your party to give it a wide berth.  Always wear appropriate footwear (avoid thongs and sandals) and be observant.  Take particular care in warm weather, long grass, hollow logs, near water or rocks in sunny positions.  Be especially careful if you step off the trail for any reason, to rest, or to let another walker past.  Make sure where you are stepping is clear.

Although snakes cannot hear, they can detect vibrations in the ground, so walk heavily to encourage them to instinctively flee from your path.  Some snakes are also nocturnal, so always use a torch at night.

How do you know if you have been bitten by a snake?

Victims usually know they have been bitten,  Symptoms may appear 15min to 2hrs after the bite, and may be mild or severe, depending on the species and the bite.  Symptoms include: double vision, headache, nausea and vomiting, sweating, faintness, diarrhoea, chest pain, difficulty swallowing or breathing, swollen lymph glands in groin or armpit, drowsiness.

Please view this short video from St John's Ambulance to see how to treat a snake bite:

• If in doubt, always call 000.  See the "Calling 000 in remote areas" module for further details. 

• Leaders have the authority to call an ambulance in any scenario they think it is required, regardless of whether the injured person has ambulance cover.   If in doubt, call an ambulance.