Snake bite..

Treatment for snake bites has evolved over the years. The usual things - off memory -
-obviously reassure the victim
-if possible identify the snake (anti venom reasons)
-stay calm - to keep the heart rate down etc.
-call the appropriate people if need be
-monitor the victim for effects of the venom (differs from venom to venom) usually headaches, sweatiness/claminess, visual impairment, dry mounth etc (bearing in mind many of these signs can be caused by adrenalin too)
- do your best to limit movement (once you have removed yourself and the victim from any immonent danger)

The latest technique for applying a pressure bandage will be to firmly go around the bite area. Continue down the limb (away from the heart) then back up the limb. Example: bitten on the calf - start at the bite site - bandage down to the ankle, then back up over the bite area to the knee and beyond if possible. Many experts are also teaching to place an X ontop of the bite site on the bandage. This allows medico's to cut into the bandage to treat the wound without removing the compression of the bandage. Remeber the compression is trying to limit the spread of the venom through the system.

Dont forget to immobilise the limb by use of any form of splint (stick, branch, bike pump etc) Again this is to promote movement limitation to help reduce the heart rate.

It is not uncommon for Australian snakes to "nip" a victim without envenoming. Many snakes' venom glands are located quite a distance from the fangs and it takes time to "squirt" venom from the glands into the fangs and then into the victim.

Lots of info is available on the net - But if you are serious and want the best info with the best techniques - enrol into one of the many first aid courses run by reputable people, such as St Johns, Royal Life Saving etc.

I havent mention the donts here either - but basically - dont try to suck the venom out, slice open the would etc....
Ring 000 - they will also help guide you.

Honestly, anyone who is riding in the bush should do a proper first aid course and even consider updating that to a remote area first aid course.

The previous replies have some good info. Remember to stay calm, 9 out of 10 snake bites are dry. The snake doesn't want to eat you and doesn't want to waist venom on something it can't eat.

A lot of snakes will bluff with a couple of closed mouth strikes before resorting to a full bite.

That said treat all strikes as though they were fully venomated. Because we rides travel fast and quiet we are more likely to startle the snake and thus it's more likely to strike out in fear.

So stay calm, bandage from just above the bite area all the way down the limb and the all the way back up. If you have a pen or pencil mark the place on the bandage where the bite is, that way the medical staff can take a slot out the the wrapping to do the swab without removing the whole thing.

Don't worry about identifying the snake. Even the experts have trouble identifying aussy snakes from a quick glance, colour means very little. The hospital will do a swab to confirm envenomation and to detect which anti venom to use.

The bandage should be firm but not overly so, about the same compression as you would for a sprained ankle. Snake venom travels through the lymph system which is close the the surface at relatively low pressure. It's very important to be aware that you are not trying to cut off blood circulation.

but, yeah, the biggest tip is to do a proper first aid course and get shown the ropes from the experts as seeing it done and doing it yourself under supervision is 100000000 x better than having it explained over a text based forum

Baz has a good vid on bite first aid here

http://youtu.be/f2u-6yFz7DE