In Australia there are about 3,000 snake bites per year, resulting in about 500 hospital admissions. (Weldon, 2017)
While many receive antivenom, on average, two per year will prove fatal. About half the deaths are due to bites from the brown snake and the rest mostly from tiger snake, taipan and death adder.
Common or Eastern Brown Snake Pseudonaja textilis, may be found all over Australia. It has extremely potent venom. This snake causes more snakebite deaths in Australia than any other. Sudden and relatively early deaths have been recorded. Its venom causes severe coagulation disturbances, neurotoxicity, and occasionally nephrotoxicity (by a direct action of the venom). The Gwardir is also known as the Western Brown snake, and the Dugite is a spotted brown snake found in Western Australia. All need brown snake antivenom. As Australian snakes venom doesn't go into the bloodstream but rather into the Lymphatic system, a good self-tensioning bandage is a vital part of your First Aid Kit.
