Builder Tony Bader came across this tiny snake at a North Beach building site on the weekend. On first look, at just 8 centimetres long, it appeared to be a worm but on closer inspection, Tony believed it to be a Copperhead snake. The message is, with the onset of warmer weather, keep on the look out for snakes of all sizes!

The session was run by the Australian College of Ambulance Professionals and SA Ambulance Service.

Almost 100 people enjoyed a barbecue dinner at Minlaton Ambulance Station before proceeding to the church for the snake session.

Intensive care paramedic Chris Cotton from the Adelaide Hills gave the audience information about how snake venom affects human bodies.

He also discussed first aid, including bandaging to stop venom moving around the body.

Andre van Paridon from Living with Wildlife explained snake behaviour and habitat and how to make homes unfriendly to snakes.

He said snakes were not aggressive creatures and were more scared of humans than the other way around. With a little knowledge of how to react to snakes, the risk of being bitten was extremely low, he said.

Mr Van Paridon also brought with him snakes specific to the Yorke Peninsula, including death adders, brown snakes and a tiger snake to demonstrate their non-aggressive nature.

The take-home message was clear, Lower Yorke Peninsula SA Ambulance Service regional team leader Anita Hoogland said.

“Stay still and calm and don’t move the patient until the ambulance arrives,” she said.

“If venom is injected into the body, it’s initially localised around the bite site. It’s when the victim starts moving around it spreads throughout the body.

“If you can keep the person as still and calm as possible, they stand the best chance of survival.

“If bitten on a limb, quickly apply a firm bandage to the entire limb and then keep it and the person completely still.

“Also call 000 for an ambulance immediately, and direct the ambulance crew to the patient if at all possible.”

The audience included representatives from Minlaton Medical Centre, Maitland Hospital, the SES and SA Police.

Around three people in Australia die from snakebites each year.

“Snakebite treatment is just one of the topics SA Ambulance Service volunteers learn about when training to become volunteer ambulance officers in their local community,” Anita said.

“People interested in finding out more about volunteering can call 1800 655 306.”