Snake Bite First Aid

The knowledge of snake bite first aid can be the

difference between death and survival for a person
that has been bitten.

This may be because of all the hype surrounding

snakes and possible death or injury from bites which
in turn may cause symptoms such as
nausea

vomiting

Most species of snake are harmless but unless you

are absolutely sure that you have identified the
snake correctly then treat the bite seriously and
apply snake bite first aid - See instructions
below.

diarrhoea

vertigo

fainting

tachycardia (fast heart beat)

Snake Facts

cold and clammy skin.

Children are at higher risk for death or

serious complications because of their smaller
body size.

Snakes found in and near water are

frequently mistaken as being poisonous.

A snake can actually bite for up to an hour

after it is dead (from a reflex).

Although Australia is home to the largest

number of venomous snakes in the world, it
averages only one fatal snake bite per year.

Not all poisonous snakes are fully charged

with venom.

Even those that are fully charged do not

always inject a lethal dose.

Bites by vipers and some cobras may be

extremely painful, with the local area sometimes
becoming tender and severely swollen within 5
minutes. The bite area may also bleed and blister.

Pit viper bites may include lethargy,

weakness, nausea, and vomiting. Then over time
may develop more life-threatening symptoms such
as low blood pressure, rapid breathing, severe
tachycardia (heart beats very fast), altered
perception of what is happening around them and
respiratory failure (breathing difficulty or breathing
stops). It this happens CPR should be applied.

the nature of the bite may also vary, like

penetration of one or both fangs, the amount of
venom injected, the location of the bite and
proximity to major blood vessels.
the health of the snake and the interval
since it last used its venom mechanism is also
important.
These multiple variables make every bite unique.
Depending on circumstances, the bite of a mildly
venomous snake may be life-threatening and that of
a strongly venomous snake may not. Again treat
the bite seriously and apply snake bite first aid See instructions below.

First Aid For Snakebites

Remain calm, remember most snake bites

are not fatal.

Minimize movement if possible. If you are

hiking alone you may have to hike out for help.

If you are bitten on the arm or finger

remove any rings, bracelets or watches. Loosen
any tight clothing in case swelling occurs.

Apply a pressure bandage to the bitten

limb. If the bite is to the trunk, head or neck,
apply firm pressure to the bitten area. Do not
restrict chest movement as breathing will be
affected by this.

Splint or use a sling on the bitten limb to

restrict movement.

If there is no bandage or equivalent to

apply a pressure bandage make note of any
inflammation by tracing the edge of the swelling

The most common symptoms of all snakebites are:

Emotionally based symptomsoverwhelming fear

panic

Call medical help immediately if possible.

Signs and Symptoms

Physically based symptomsMost snake bites, whether by a venomous

snake or not, will have some type of local effect.
There can be minor pain and redness in over 90%
of cases, although this varies depending on the
site.

Other factors that influence the possible

seriousness of a snake bite include

the persons health, size, age, and

psychological state.

emotional instability

with a pen or the like near/around the bite and

mark the time clearly next to it. If it progresses
make a new tracing noting the time of each new
mark beside that new tracing. This will give
valuable information to medical help as to the
development of the swelling.

If possible, lie down and keep the bitten

extremity at body level. Raising it can cause
venom to travel through the body quicker. Holding
it down, can increase swelling.

When possible arrange for transport to the

nearest hospital emergency room, where antivenom for snakes common to the area will often
be available and given if required.
(This pygmy cooperhead was nearly stepped on.)

Some definite No No's

for Snake Bite First Aid

NO aspirin or other pain relievers.

NO tourniquets. This cuts blood flow
completely and may result in loss of the affected
limb.
DO NOT try to suck the venom out of the
wound or cut into the bite with a knife. Such
measures have not been proven useful and may
cause further injury (see below explanation).

DO NOT apply a cold compress or ice on the

bite. Research has shown this to be potentially
harmful.

DO NOT raise the wound above the heart.

Raising it can cause venom to travel into the body.
Holding it down, can increase swelling.

DO NOT use electric shock or a stun gun on

the bite area. This method is under study and has
yet to be proven effective. It could harm the
victim.

DO NOT wash the snake bite area Australian recommendations for snake bite
treatment strongly recommend
against cleaning the wound. Traces of venom left
on the skin/bandages from the strike can be used
in combination with a snake bite identification kit
to identify the species of snake. This speeds
determination of which anti-venom to administer
in the emergency room.(1)

DO NOT try and capture the snake. If it's

safe you can try to take a photo with a camera or
with your phone. This is the best way in aiding
snake identification.

If it is not possible or safe to take a photo then make

note of some characteristics of the snake. Here is an
article on snake identifiers:-

What are the Snake Identifiers?

Now lets get down to the points that serve as snake
identifiers:
* Length: When it comes to the length of the snake,
the first thing that you have to do is imagine how it
would look when it is stretched out. The small snakes
would be up to 12 inches (30 cm) long and they
would include snakes like red belly snake, brown
snake. Then there are the medium sized
snakes queen snakes, milk snakes, etc. And then you
have the large snakes like
the cobras, rattlesnakes, water snakes, etc.
* Shape: This acts as an important snake identifier.
The question that you have to ask yourself is
whether the body of the snake is slender, heavy or
thick. The thick snake would include
the cottonmouth, boa, etc. while the slender one will
include the ribbon snake, vine snake, etc.
* Head: This might be a confusing snake identifier
because many snakes are actually known to flatten
their heads when they are threatened. This can be a
bit confusing owing to the fact that pit vipers are
known to have arrowheads.
* Eyes: This is rather a simply snake identification
technique that can help you tell apart a poisonous
from a non-poisonous one. Non-venomous snakes
are known to have a round pupil whereas the
venomous snakes are known to have a vertical pupil
similar to the cats eye.
Although it is a true fact that snakes can be
dangerous, you have to remember that they usually
keep to themselves. So, if youve found a snake in

your yard or inside your home, worry not. The snake

can be easily identified all you have to do is take
note of the identifiers I have listed above. This
information can then be conveyed to a professional,
who in turn will determine whether or not the snake
is poisonous.

tourniquet use is dangerous, since reducing or

cutting off circulation can lead to gangrene, which
can be fatal or result in amputation of the limb.
The use of a compression bandage is generally as
effective, and much safer.

Cutting open the bitten area, an action

often taken prior to suction, is not recommended
since it causes further damage and increases the
risk of infection.

Sucking out venom either by mouth or with

a pump, does not work and may harm the affected
area directly. Suctioning by mouth presents a risk
of further poisoning to the person doing the
procedure through the mouth's mucous tissues.
The release of bacteria from the person's mouth
into the victim's wound can lead to infection at the
wound site.

Immersion in warm water or sour milk,

followed by the application of snake-stones (also
known as la Pierre Noire), which are believed to
draw off the poison in much the way a sponge
soaks up water.

Application of potassium permanganate

formerly known as permanganate of potash or
Condy's crystals.

Use of electroshock therapy. Although still

advocated by some, animal testing has shown this
treatment to be useless and potentially dangerous.

Article by
Natasha Bantwal

Outdated Snake Bite First Aid

Treatments

Old style snake bite kit that should NOT be used in

snake bite first aid.

The following snake bite first aid treatments have all

been recommended at one time or another but are
now considered to be ineffective or outright
dangerous. Many cases in which such snake bite first
aid treatments appear to work are in fact the result
of dry bites (snake bites where no venom is
released).

Application of a tourniquet to the bitten limb

is generally not recommended. Untrained

In extreme cases, where the victims were in remote

areas, all of these misguided attempts using
outmoded snake bite first aid treatments have
resulted in injuries far worse than an otherwise mild
to moderate snakebite.
In worst case scenarios, thoroughly constricting
tourniquets have been applied to bitten limbs,
completely shutting off blood flow to the area. By the
time the victim has finally reached appropriate
medical facilities their limb had to be amputated.