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Sea Snakes Aipysurus laevis, Astrotia stokesii, Disteira (Hydrophis) and more |
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 Photograph from the Sea Snake Image Page. © 1999 Phillip Slosberg |
FACTS:
Sea snakes are found in the warm, calm coastal waters of the Tropics -- the
sort you like to swim in. Some thirty-two species inhabit the Great Barrier
Reef. THREAT: Snakes fall into the same category of risk as sharks. Although they can be extremely venomous, snakes are not aggressive; just don’t get them cornered or try to sell them insurance. Sea snake venom is up to ten times more toxic than a cobra's. The venom paralyzes the nervous system and the casualty becomes unable to breath and suffocates to death. |
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Click here for more information |
TREATMENT: If you get bitten, don’t panic. Certainly don’t start stabbing at the wounds and trying to suck the venom out -- there’s probably none in there. The current advice is to get the casualty to relax and keep the affected limb as still as possible. Once they have relaxed, you can tell them that there is an anti-venom at a hospital only 110 km away by helicopter. |
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