Advice from the Locals – Australia
Advice from the locals in Australia
I wanted to compile some advice that I was to me given over and above my experiences and other tips for Australia. Though everyone has a different opinion, these are what stuck out to me on my trip.
If you see a snake, stand still. Usually snakes and lizards and the like get scared away, but in the unusual event that they don’t, stand still until it deems you to be no longer a threat.
Do not touch anything. Enough said. Just don’t. Don’t try to hold, or pet or pick up any animal or creature you may come across, this is when the most people get bit; when you bother the animal!
Do not pick up anything. If you don’t bother it, it won’t bother you and you are far less likely to get bit while traveling!
Always watch where you are stepping. Be it in a forest or in water, some snakes and spiders can blend quite well into the forest floor or their outback environments and some jellyfish, crabs and octopus can be quite small but can hurt you quite a lot!
Buy a Venom kit from the Chemist. If going to do a lot of bushwalking, buy a bite kit from the pharmacy, just in case, this can add several hours to your life to be able to get to the hospital in time.
There is such as thing as Anti-Venom! If you are bit by a snake or spider, get to the hospital asap, it is likely that they will be able to save your life with enough antivenom.
Be aware of what creatures are in which areas; not all snakes and spiders live in all parts of Australia, certain snakes live in certain parts and knowing when you have the risk of meeting, may help you in the long run.