Ambulance were called to Nolan Track, about eight kilometres outside of Blackwood, shortly before 2pm on Sunday, September 24 to reports of a woman in her 50s suffering from a suspected snake bite. 

The Ambulance helicopter is on scene while paramedics along with CFA and SES crews have walked through the rugged bushland to the aid of the woman. 

Reptile keeper at Ballarat Wildlife Park Roxy Holding said as the weather begins to warm up people need to be vigilant for snakes. 

“While it is getting a little warmer, snakes will be coming out of hibernation,” she said. 

“The brown snakes, red bellies and tiger snakes are all ones to keep an eye out for though the red bellies usually know you are there before you see them and hide.”

Ms Holding said it’s important to stay vigilant for snakes and remember what to do if you think you may have been bitten. 

“It’s more the brown snakes that are the ones that normally come out fist so always keep an eye out no matter where you go,” she said. 

“If you think you have been bitten you can’t stress too much because the venom doesn’t travel through the blood; it travels through the lymph system so the more you stress the faster it spreads.”

“If you are carrying a compression bandage use that but otherwise you can rip clothing and wrap it from where you were bitten and start compressing all the way up your limb.”

Ms Holding also advised against attempting to suck the venom out of the wound and to leave treatment of the bite to the professionals. 

“Get to nearest hospital, don’t try sucking the blood because if you do that when you get to the hospital they can't tell what anti-venom to use.”