A MAN has survived a bite from one of the deadliest snakes in the world while fishing off the North Queensland coast.
The 46-year-old was on a trawler on the Bramble Reef when it is believed a sea snake got caught in a fishing net, the Townsville Bulletin said.
The man received a venomous bite to his leg about 8am yesterday. He was taken by EMQ rescue helicopter to the Townsville Hospital from Dungeness, near Lucinda.
Three air crew, a doctor and a paramedic attended the rescue.
Crew member Allan Jefferson said, depending on the amount of venom injected, symptoms can appear after two minutes and death can follow just an hour later.
“It took us about 35 minutes to get to him … we swung past the Townsville Hospital to pick up the anti-venom on the way up,” he said.
“Mortality is 10 per cent without the anti-venom, but improves significantly once administered.
“(When we picked him up) he was in a bit of pain, he was uncomfortable, nauseous, there was definitely something going on. He had sore shoulders.”
Mr Jefferson said medical advisers had explained that other symptoms may include increased heart rate, a loss of feeling in limbs, shortness of breath and drowsiness.
“Symptoms can show up to eight hours after the initial bite,” he said.
“Sea snakes are quite common … I see them swimming on the top of the surface in the marina in Townsville, around where the boats are moored.
“I’ve been here (with EMQ Rescue) for over three years … we have lots of stingers (but) this is the first sea snake bite I have seen.”
The man was admitted to hospital just after 10am in a stable condition.
Townsville region lifeguard supervisor Russell Blanchard said this was the first report of a sea snake bite to his knowledge since an incident at Horseshoe Bay, Magnetic Island at the start of the year.
“It was only a small bite, but the patient was taken to Townsville Hospital,” he said.
“There is a common myth that they cannot penetrate the skin but this is not accurate.
“They are not that common in shore waters where we patrol, but they are more common near the reef … the divers tend to have interaction with them.”