Get in the spooky spirit this Halloween by taking our Trick or Treatment quiz!
Take a look at each of the following statements and decide if it's a:
- trick – common myth or misunderstanding
- treatment – genuine advice to stay safe in the outback.
Don't scroll too quickly! The correct answer will appear after each photo.
1. If I'm bitten by a snake, I should try to suck the venom out...
.
.
.
TRICK!
If you're bitten by a snake, you should immediately call 000.
Using an elasticised pressure bandage, start bandaging over the bite site itself first, or start from the fingers/toes of the bitten limb and work your way up. Wrap firmly (as tight as you would for a sprained ankle), extending as high up the limb as possible (to the groin or armpit).
If possible, apply a rigid splint (like a branch, piece of wood, or rolled-up paper) alongside the bandaged limb to stop movement. It is vital to keep still and calm to slow the movement of venom through the lymphatic system.
Watch this video to learn how to treat a snake bite.
2. If I need to prepare an outback airstrip in the dark, toilet paper can be used to light the runway...
.
.
.
TREATMENT!
It may sound unconventional, but this is outback ingenuity at its finest.
Fuel-soaked rolls of paper towel and toilet paper will stay alight for roughly 30 minutes. If a patient requires aeromedical evacuation in a dark, remote area, toilet paper can make all the difference.
For Lil Bryant, who was emergency airlifted from her remote cattle station in the middle of the night, it saved her life.
3. If my car breaks down in the outback, I should leave to go find help...
.
.
.
TRICK!
It's much harder to find a missing person than a missing car. If you've broken down somewhere remote, put your hazard lights on and stay with your vehicle.
Download our Outback Survival Guide for tips when preparing for an outback road trip.
4. I should pee on a jellyfish sting...
.
.
.
TRICK!
Urinating on a jellyfish sting is a dangerous myth that can actually make pain worse.
If it's a non-tropical jellyfish like a Bluebottle you should rinse the affected area with seawater (NOT fresh water). If you're stung by a tropical species such as a Box Jellyfish, you should call 000 immediately.
5. If I burn myself when camping, I can use cling wrap to seal the wound...
.
.
.
TREATMENT!
If you're unable to reach a medical centre, cling wrap can be used to temporarily cover a burn wound. Ensure you've cooled the wound for roughly 20 minutes first, then wrap the cling wrap loosely over the affected area.
Never wrap it all the way around a limb and never use cling wrap on the face.
6. If someone is seizing, I should put something in their mouth so they don't swallow their tongue...
.
.
.
TRICK!
This is a common misconception. If someone is having a seizure, the best response is to clear the area, cushion the patient's head and gently turn them onto their side if possible.
7. It takes a long time for heat exhaustion to develop into heat stroke...
.
.
.
TRICK!
Without treatment, heat exhaustion can advance into heat stroke in as little as 10-15 minutes. If someone is displaying signs of heat exhaustion, move them to a shady area immediately, give them small sips of room temperature water and lie them down with their legs elevated. Call 000 for help.
8. I should call for help after a car accident – even if someone looks fine on the outside...
.
.
.
TREATMENT!
Many car-accident injuries are internal and shock can often mask pain. Even if everyone seems okay externally, it's important to seek medical assistance to be safe.
24-hour medical and emergency assistance
- SA (Outback Areas): 1800 RFDS SA (1800 733 772)
- NT (Central Australia): 000
- NT (Top End/Darwin): 000
- HF Radio: (4010kHz, 6890kHz or 8165kHz)
- Satellite Telephone: 08 8648 9555 or +61 1800 RFDS SA (+61 1800 733 772)
Learn more about the Flying Doctor.
