The correct first aid procedure works by limiting the spread of venom throughout the body. Snake bite first aid from a real doctor the survivalist blog. Up to 50% of all venomous bites are reported to be dry bites, i. A snakebite is an injury caused by the bite of a snake, especially a venomous snake. This is true even if you are on your own and are the patient. Immediately call 911 or the local emergency number, if the symptoms are severe. Prompt treatment may help promote recovery by minimizing symptoms.
Dial 911 or call local emergency medical services ems. Lay or sit the person down with the bite below the level of the heart. First aid combined with access to medical attention greatly increases the chance of survival. Who guidelines for the management of snakebites, first. Apply first aid if you cannot get the person to the hospital right away. Poisonous bites cause local signs oedema, hemorrhage, ecchymosis necrosis and systemic signs mainly involving nervous and cardiac system. 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. These include 1 coral snake, and three varieties of the pit viper species. Whole families were studied and 124 people were intervie wed through an intervi eweradministered questionnaire. Prompt treatment can minimize symptoms and promote recovery.
Thats why the main aim of snake bite first aid is to reduce lymphatic flow by applying a compression bandage over the affected limb. First aid for snake bites in australia or new guinea. Prevent or respond to snake bitenatural disasters and severe. Who resources on snakebite world health organization. Reassurance, immobilization of the affected area and prompt transfer to a medical facility are the cornerstones of rapid response. Snakebite is an injury caused by a bite from a snake. A reflex strike from a dead snake can be just as dangerous as a snake bite by a live one. Then immobilize the extremity with a splint, with the same precautions concerning limiting blood flow.
This technique may help prevent lifethreatening systemic. Poisonous snakes non poisonous snakes do not have fangs with which to inject venom. Immediate first aid should be applied to any snake bite victim. Snake bites management and treatment cleveland clinic. A weekend outing can bring you closer to the joys of nature. This can slow down the spread of venom if the snake is venomous. Snakebite first aid fangs that are grooved to allow the venom to flow down the fang surface and trickle into the wound. If you are bitten by a snake, call triple zero 000 for an ambulance. Snake ite first aid by don travis of the 300,000 species of snakes, only around 1% or 3,000 are venomous. Asi first aid for snakebite booklet african snakebite. Snake bites are like any other type of puncture wound, so they require broadly similar treatment. The first thing to do is call 911 and keep your patient as calm as you can.
First aid information and resources online resources. Snake bite first aid what to do if bitten by a snake. Instead, you must bandage the wound using a lightcompression bandage approximately 4 inches above the snakebitewound, in the same way youd wrap a sprained ankle for example. Try to identify or secure the snake if this can be done safely and quickly. Asi first aid for snakebite booklet african snakebite institute. If possible, take these steps while waiting for medical help. Identify or be able to describe the snake, but only if it can be done without significant risk for a second bite or a second victim. Wash the bite wound with a little soap and warm water.
The incidence of snakebite mortality is particularly high in southeast asia. Jun 05, 2019 the first thing to remember is never apply a tourniquette to a snake bite. Ppt snake bite powerpoint presentation free to download. Basic first aid for snake bite envenomation objectives the aim of this component is to provide the student with a concise and rational approach to the diagnosis, treatment and patient management of.
Awareness of snake bite and its first aid management in rural areas of maharashtra. It is the absolute responsibility of the student to attain a formal first aid qualification. This also applies to detached heads of dead snakes. Here are a range of information sheets for you to download for free, and use to display around the office or at home as a reminder of how to treat a range of illnesses and injuries. This is known as the pressure immobilisation technique pit. Most snake bites happen when someone accidentally steps on the snake. Theres a lot of false information about how to provide first aid to a snake bite. Apr 02, 2019 in most cases, you can take care of a nonvenomous snake bite at home yourself just be 100% certain the snake in question wasnt venomous before doing so. It is the absolute responsibility of the student to attain a formal firstaid qualification. For a comprehensive explanation of the correct first aid for. This method is also appropriate in papua new guinea and indonesian papua province. The following section is a presentation of the first aid measures required for the management of snake bite.
Whether a bomb has gone off or someone has been bitten by a snake, the first step of first aid is always to check the environment rather than the patient. Additional information on the production and quality control of snake antivenom. The prognosis of a snake bite is dependent on the type of snake involved, the venom type, site of bite, overall health of the individual, and. This may demonstrate the efficacy of that first aid treatment in sequestering the. Prevent or respond to snake bitenatural disasters and. This may result in redness, swelling, and severe pain at the area, which may take up to an hour to appear.
First aid for snake bites in australia or new guinea the australian resuscitation council arc recommends the use of pressure immobilization bandaging pib as current best practice for snake bite first aid after snake bites in australia. Poison is a toxin that kills or injures the bodys tissues and organs through its chemical actions. It is paramount that the correct first aid treatment is applied to a snakebite as soon as possible. The individual who was bitten by a snake or someone nearby can administer first aid. Snakes can continue to bite and inject venom with successive bites until they run out of venom. If a person has been bitten by a poisonous snake, antivenin may be used to counteract the toxins. Since it is very difficult to distinguish if the bite is from a poisonous snake or not, immediate first aid should always be applied to all snake bites. All snake bites must be treated as potentially lifethreatening. First aid treatment for poisonous snake bite protocol includes using a clean gauze or cloth apply pressure on the wound until bleeding stops. Pdf awareness of snake bite and its first aid management in. It is therefore a medical problem that has important implications for. Upgrade your skills with our online wilderness first aid basics class. The mozambique spitting cobra accounts for the vast majority of serious bites, followed by the puff adder, and then the stiletto snake and rhombic night adder.
A venomous snakebite case in australia supports the. It can be dangerous and life threatening if the snake will venomous. Click here to enquire about first aid courses for snakebite during which the proper application of pressure bandages is taught. Learn the steps to take if youre bitten by a poisonous snake. Keep the area of the bite below the level of the heart in order to slow the spread of venom through the bloodstream. There are 15 venomous snake species native to the state of texas. Some 11% of the approximately 173 species of snake in southern africa can be considered deadly and these include mambas, cobras, the rinkhals, puff adder, gaboon adder, boomslang and the twig snake. This article explains the best first aid treatment depending on the type of snake involved. Antiserum can be diluted with isotonic solution the quantity of isotonic solution can be determined at the rate of smlkg body weight.
Some have little local effect, but lifethreatening systemic effects, in which case containing the venom in the region of the bite by pressure immobilization is desirable. The victim may receive all, a portion, or none of the venom when the snake strikes. And lastly, when your planning to be around snakes for a while always have a snake bite first aid kit close by. Snake bite first aid step 1 lay the victim down and provide reassurance. You will also find below some links to access other useful first aid resources. Cpr simple steps to save a life animated explanation video health sketch duration. Remove any jewelry or watches, as these could cut into the skin if swelling occurs. Anyone whose occupation requires time outdoors has a chance of encountering a snake, particularly in warmer states in the south, southwest and west. Its not a surprise if his name rings a bell johan is the author of the bestselling complete guide to snakes of southern africa and snakes and snakebite in southern africa and you may have read his article snakebite. First aid treatment for snake bites snake bite protocol. First aid on snake bite snake bite first aid for snake bite 1non poisonous snakes 2. If a venomous snake bites you, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately, especially if the bitten area changes color, begins to swell or is painful. 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.
First aid quick reference snakebite treatment up the extremity with a pressure at which you would wrap a sprained ankle. It is stressed that this is not a suitable substitute for formal training. The first thing to remember is never apply a tourniquette to a snake bite. First aid information and resources online resources st. Wilderness and remote first aid american red cross. Wrap area in a bandage and help the patient keep the bitten area immobile. Up to 50% of all venomous bites are reported to be dry bites. Safely and rapidly transport the victim to an emergency medical. The knowledge of snake bite first aid can be the difference between death and survival for a person that has been bitten. First aid treatment for snake bite what snake is that. Much of our environment appears to be relatively harmless. For mild bites and stings, basic first aid treatment is usually enough. First aid measures should be applied as quickly as possible.
Snake bite statistics the latest statistics for snake bite in south africa record an average of 2,000 snake bite victims annually with 25 deaths, thats 1 in 80 or 1. Venomous snakes found in the continental united states include rattlesnakes, copperheads. May 10, 2018 snake bites treatment should be handled immediately with great care. Content in the wilderness and remote first aid emergency reference guide is based on the 2010 boy scouts of america bsa wilderness first aid curriculum and doctrine guidelines and reflects the 2010 consensus on science for cpr and emergency cardiovascular care and the 2010 guidelines for first aid.
First aid snakebite first aid recommendations vary, in part because different snakes have different types of venom. Snake bites treatment should be handled immediately and with great care. A common sign of a bite from a venomous snake is the presence of two puncture wounds from the animals fangs. Many emergency rooms stock antivenom drugs, which may help you. Symptoms of a snakebite may not begin until the body goes into shock. Envenomation snake bite vikas kesarwani md aprofessor consultant pulmonary critical. Snake bite is an occupational disease of farmers, plantation workers, herdsmen, fishermen, snake restaurant workers and other food producers. A free powerpoint ppt presentation displayed as a flash slide show on id. The great thing about first aid is that the same basic principles apply in all areas.
If you know the snake is not venomous, treat as a puncture wound. Learn to conquer common problems and handle emergencies with grace. Call o not move the victim unless further danger is present. Rational use of snake antivenom can substantially reduce mortality and morbidity due to snake bites. Keep the area of the bite below the level of the heart in order to slow the spread of. Booklet, first aid, first aid for snakebite, johan marais, pets, snakebite description a comprehensive 28 page booklet that contains information on what to do and what not to do in a snakebite emergency, the use of pressure immobilisation, artificial respiration, and the use of a bag valve mask. In most cases, you can take care of a nonvenomous snake bite at home yourself just be 100% certain the snake in question wasnt venomous before doing so. People should be aware about the sign and symptoms of snake bite and at least the first aid treatment of snakebite. These guidelines are a revised and updated version of similar guidelines published by. Snakebite first aid vanderbilt university medical center.
In this type of emergency victim should be admit to nearest hospital and anti snake venom asv is very much necessary to save the patient life. The first several hours after the bite are most critical. Remove any rings, watches, or bracelets if bitten on an upper extremity. Guidelines for the prevention and clinical management of snakebite in africa pdf guidelines for the management of snakebites in southeast asia pdf. Useful points raised by users of the first edition were the need to include the snake species in indonesia east of wallaces line see above and the. However, to be extra safe, ensure that you treat the bite as a venomous bite. Pdf awareness of snake bite and its first aid management. You should learn to identify the snakes in the areas of your activities, because the ability to identify the type of snake or the bite marks will help determine the potential severity of the bite and the care that is needed. Reduce movement preventing unnecessary movement of the affected area usually a limb reduces the spread of venom throughout the body. Artificial respiration in serious snakebite cases involving snakes with predominantly neurotoxic venom, like the black mamba or cape cobra, the victim may experience difficulty with breathing as quickly as within 20. A weekend outing can bring you closer to the joys of. Article pdf available in indian journal of community health 263. Thats why the main aim of snake bite first aid is to reduce lymphatic flow by applying continuous firm pressure over the affected limb.