First Aid

If it is an emergency, call 000 for an ambulance. If the poisoned or envenomed person has collapsed or is not breathing, start resuscitation. For First Aid advice call 13 11 26 - available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, across Australia.

First Aid for Bites & Stings - CLICK HERE

If you, or someone in your care, may have been poisoned, do not wait for symptoms to occur. Call for advice or go to your nearest hospital Emergency Department.

First aid advice depends on the route of poisoning:

If the poison is SWALLOWED
  • Do NOT try to induce vomiting
  • If safe to do so, take a smartphone photo of the label or note down the product details
  • Call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26
If the poison enters the EYE
  • Flood the eye with cool water from a running tap or a cup/jug
  • Continue to flush for 15 minutes, holding the eyelids open
  • If safe to do so, take a smartphone photo of the label or note down the product details  
  • Call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26
If the poison contacts the SKIN
  • Remove contaminated clothing, taking care to avoid contact with the poison
  • Flood skin with cool running water
  • If safe to do so, take a smartphone photo of the label or note down the product details 
  • Call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26
If the poison is INHALED
  • Immediately get the person to fresh air, without placing yourself at risk
  • Avoid breathing in the fumes
  • If it is safe to do so, open doors and windows wide
  • If the victim isn't breathing, start resuscitation and call an ambulance on 000
  • If safe to do so, take a smartphone photo of the label or note down the product details
  • Call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26
First Aid for Bites & Stings
CLICK HERE for First Aid management of bites and stings.
Pressure Immobilisation

Pressure-immobilisation is recommended for:

  • bites from all Australian snakes, including sea snakes
  • funnel web spider bites
  • blue-ringed octopus stings
  • cone shell stings

Do NOT use pressure-immobilisation first aid for:

  • spider bites other than a funnel web spider (such as red-back spiders)
  • jellyfish stings
  • stonefish and other fish stings
  • bee, wasp and ant stings 
  • stings from scorpions, centipedes, beetles

How to apply a pressure-immobilisation bandage

  1. Call 000
  2. Keep the person who has been bitten as still as possible. If possible, lie the patient down to prevent walking or moving around.
  3. Apply a firm bandage over the bitten area (preferably use a wide elasticised bandage if available)
  4. Then bandage the entire limb (fingers to shoulder or toes to the hip) - the bandage should be as tight as for a sprained ankle.
  5. Apply a rigid splint to the limb (piece of wood, branch, or rolled up paper)
  6. Keep still await the arrival of the ambulance for transport to the emergency department of the nearest hospital.