THE EXAMINER (Hobart, Australia) 31 January 05 Snake bites woman (Peter Sanders)
Reptile sleeping under pillow didn't like being woken
An East Coast snake bite victim was hoping to return home today after recovering at the Launceston General Hospital for four days.
The woman was bitten at least three times on the lower forearm, by a snake that was sleeping under her pillow.
She was stabilised at St Helens Hospital before being transferred to the LGH via air ambulance early on January 27.
The woman's husband yesterday spoke to The Examiner about the ordeal, but wouldn't reveal their identities to prevent any "anti-snake hysteria" following the incident.
He said that his wife awoke after feeling the last of the bites.
"She collapsed within five minutes of waking, but regained consciousness when I was applying a compression bandage," the qualified first aid practitioner said.
"I'd already made sure her airways were clear and called the ambulance, which took barely half an hour to arrive.
"She received extensive antivenom treatment once she arrived at the LGH and was in intensive care for the whole of her first day in hospital.
"I can't speak highly enough about all the people involved, the volunteer ambulance officers, St Helens Hospital casualty department and the LGH."
The husband said that snakes were a normal part of their lives because they lived in the bush, north of St Helens.
"We see them quite often in our garden and they've never worried us before," he said.
"It wasn't particularly aggressive - we'd probably been sleeping with it for a couple of hours before it struck out.
"It was just objecting to being pushed.
"The first two bites were only a warning and probably had no venom in them - it was only after this warning failed to have the desired effect, being left alone, that the snake used its venom.
"People just need to be aware that snakes are around, especially at this time of the year.
"The thing to remember is not to tackle a snake, but rather contact Parks and Wildlife - most of the people who get bitten by snakes are trying to kill them at the time."
The woman is expected to make a full recovery and was hoping to watch the tennis last night, her husband said.
Snake bites woman