Post by AussieSurvival on Sept 23, 2008 17:44:26 GMT 9.5
First Aid for snake bites in Australia
Make sure you, the person bitten, and onlookers have moved away from the snake, so there are no more bitten people!
The bitten person should be reassured and persuaded to lie down and remain still. Many will be terrified, fearing sudden death, and they may be 'freaking out'.
Reassure the person by letting him or her know that:
often venom (poison) does not enter the body when a person is bitten by a snake
the effects happen quite slowly
modern medical treatment is effective.
The bite wound should not be tampered with in any way.
For Australian snakes, do not wash or clean the wound in any way, as this may interfere with venom detection once in a hospital.
All rings or other jewellery on the bitten limb should be removed. They can become very tight if swelling develops.
If the bite is on a limb, a broad bandage or torn strips of clothing or pantyhose should be applied over the bitten area at moderate pressure (as tight as you would do it for an ankle injury; not so tight that circulation is stopped), then extended to cover as much of the bitten limb as possible, including fingers or toes.
If the bandage is hurting, it is too tight.
Go over the top of clothing rather than move the limb by removing clothing.
Once the bandage is in place, do not take it off. It should only be taken off in an emergency centre.
The bitten limb should then be kept as still as possible using a splint or sling made of whatever is available.
Do not use tourniquets, or cut or suck the wound. Those old western movies have a lot to answer for!
Do not give the person anything to drink.
If possible, call the emergency service in your area for advice about what to do next. Ring 000 for emergency help in Australia.
Get the victim to the nearest place where he or she can be seen by a medically trained person as soon as possible.
Do not let the bitten person walk to help.
Any movement of muscles in the limb speeds up absorption of the poison.
If no motor vehicle or boat is available, the patient can be carried on a stretcher, on the pillion or crossbar of a bicycle or on someone's back.
If the person has any difficulty with breathing or heart function, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation may be needed. Start this and call for emergency help.
Although it might be useful to know what type of snake has caused the bite, do not try to catch or kill the snake, and do not chase it into the bush, because more people might be bitten. People have also been 'bitten' by a dead snake, and have had the poison (venom) enter their body.
Effects of snake bites
All snake bites should be treated as serious.
Snake bites may not cause any pain at the site of the bite.
Some snakes leave twin "fang" marks when they bite, but not all.
The most dangerous effects usually do not happen until some time after the bite, so do not assume that the person is fine just because there are no symptoms immediately.
The effects of snake bites can include paralysis (muscles cannot move), muscle damage and internal bleeding.
Symptoms of snake bite poisoning can also include abdominal (tummy) pain, vomiting, sweating, double vision, headache, blurred vision, difficulty swallowing and breathing, weakness or fainting.
Resources, Australia:
Emergency services 000 (for emergencies only)
National Poisons Information Centre Network. 131126 (Local Call Fee). 24 hours, 7 days a week.
Make sure you, the person bitten, and onlookers have moved away from the snake, so there are no more bitten people!
The bitten person should be reassured and persuaded to lie down and remain still. Many will be terrified, fearing sudden death, and they may be 'freaking out'.
Reassure the person by letting him or her know that:
often venom (poison) does not enter the body when a person is bitten by a snake
the effects happen quite slowly
modern medical treatment is effective.
The bite wound should not be tampered with in any way.
For Australian snakes, do not wash or clean the wound in any way, as this may interfere with venom detection once in a hospital.
All rings or other jewellery on the bitten limb should be removed. They can become very tight if swelling develops.
If the bite is on a limb, a broad bandage or torn strips of clothing or pantyhose should be applied over the bitten area at moderate pressure (as tight as you would do it for an ankle injury; not so tight that circulation is stopped), then extended to cover as much of the bitten limb as possible, including fingers or toes.
If the bandage is hurting, it is too tight.
Go over the top of clothing rather than move the limb by removing clothing.
Once the bandage is in place, do not take it off. It should only be taken off in an emergency centre.
The bitten limb should then be kept as still as possible using a splint or sling made of whatever is available.
Do not use tourniquets, or cut or suck the wound. Those old western movies have a lot to answer for!
Do not give the person anything to drink.
If possible, call the emergency service in your area for advice about what to do next. Ring 000 for emergency help in Australia.
Get the victim to the nearest place where he or she can be seen by a medically trained person as soon as possible.
Do not let the bitten person walk to help.
Any movement of muscles in the limb speeds up absorption of the poison.
If no motor vehicle or boat is available, the patient can be carried on a stretcher, on the pillion or crossbar of a bicycle or on someone's back.
If the person has any difficulty with breathing or heart function, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation may be needed. Start this and call for emergency help.
Although it might be useful to know what type of snake has caused the bite, do not try to catch or kill the snake, and do not chase it into the bush, because more people might be bitten. People have also been 'bitten' by a dead snake, and have had the poison (venom) enter their body.
Effects of snake bites
All snake bites should be treated as serious.
Snake bites may not cause any pain at the site of the bite.
Some snakes leave twin "fang" marks when they bite, but not all.
The most dangerous effects usually do not happen until some time after the bite, so do not assume that the person is fine just because there are no symptoms immediately.
The effects of snake bites can include paralysis (muscles cannot move), muscle damage and internal bleeding.
Symptoms of snake bite poisoning can also include abdominal (tummy) pain, vomiting, sweating, double vision, headache, blurred vision, difficulty swallowing and breathing, weakness or fainting.
Resources, Australia:
Emergency services 000 (for emergencies only)
National Poisons Information Centre Network. 131126 (Local Call Fee). 24 hours, 7 days a week.