Snake envenoming is uncommon but potentially life-threatening. It is characterised by systemic effects including coagulopathy, neurotoxicity, myotoxicity and renal impairment. Pressure immobilisation bandaging is safe and appears to be effective first aid if applied correctly soon after the bite. Each Australian snake causes a characteristic clinical syndrome which can be used with information about the geographical distribution of snakes to determine which snake is involved when a patient is envenomed. Snake venom detection kits are available to help identify the causative snake. Antivenoms are available for the five major groups of snakes and are the mainstay of therapy in patients with systemic envenoming. Antivenom should be administered by slow intravenous infusion in a critical care area. Serious adverse reactions to antivenoms are uncommon
