Snake and Spider Bite Guidelines

Snakebite & Spiderbite Clinical Management Guidelines

These guidelines were written by NSW Health, Statewide Services Branch and published in March 2007.

The publication is reproduced here in PDF format. The full version is 15.99 MB, so we have split it up into sections for ease of use and download.

Full version of the guidelines ( 15.99MB)

Sections of the guidelines:

• Section 1: Introduction ( 260 KB )
• Section 2: Clinical advice and resources ( 30 KB )
• Section 3: Snakebite ( 2197 KB )
• Section 4: Details of major venomous snakes ( 7749 KB )
• Section 5: Spiderbite ( 3945 KB )
• Section 6: Other venomous creatures ( 1800 KB )
• Section 7: NSW hospital antivenom stocks ( 38 KB )
• Appendix 1: Hospital stock levels (alphabetical) ( 38 KB )
• Appendix 2: Hospital stock levels (by Area Health Service) ( 39 KB )
• Appendix 3: Snakebite observation chart ( 40 KB )
• Appendix 4: Recommended reading ( 27 KB )
• Appendix 5: Glossary ( 22 KB )

Other Useful Resources

• (Isbister 2006) Isbister, GK 2006, 'Snake bite: a current approach to management' Australian Prescriber, vol 29, no. 5, pp. 125-9. Linked with permission to Australian Prescriber. © Commonwealth of Australia, 2003.

• (Isbister 2006) Isbister, GK 2006, 'Spider bite: a current approach to management' Australian Prescriber, vol 29, no.6, pp. 156-8. Linked with permission to Australian Prescriber. © Commonwealth of Australia, 2003.

• (Isbister 2007) Isbister, GK 2007, 'Managing injuries by venomous sea creatures in Australia'' Australian Prescriber, vol 30, no.5, pp. 117-121. Linked with permission to Australian Prescriber. © Commonwealth of Australia, 2003.

• WCH Clinical Toxinology Resources: www.toxinology.com

• Information on bites and stings - HealthInsite, Australian Department of Health and Ageing: www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Bites_and_Stings

Other CIAP Guidelines

• Paediatric Guidelines
• Paracetamol Overdose Management Guidelines