In a medical emergency call an ambulance — dial 000 in Australia or 111 in New Zealand.

The DRSABCD Action Plan is the first step when providing first aid. Use this to assess the immediate situation. DRSABCD Danger > Response > Send for help > Airway > Breathing > CPR > Defibrillation.

What to do
Anyone either bitten or scratched by a bat should IMMEDIATELY:
1. Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water
2. Seek medical aid, regardless of the site or severity of the wound.

A protective vaccine can be administered even after the bite.

Warning
In Australia, flying foxes or other bats may carry lyssavirus* which is potentially fatal. These animals must never be handled by people who are not trained to handle wildlife, even if the animal is injured.

If you have any questions or need extra support, we're here to help you anytime in any language. Simply start a chat with us via the home screen of the Sonder app.

All content in Sonder's Help Centre is created and published for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice.

Information originally published by St John Ambulance Australia.