To survive a poisonous snake bite, it is essential to stay calm and seek medical attention right away. These animals inject poison into their victim at the moment of the bite. These wounds, if left untreated, can be fatal; but if the victim receives an antidote quickly, more serious damage can be prevented or cured.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: React Calmly and Quickly
Step 1. Call emergency services immediately
In Italy the number is 113. To survive the bite of a poisonous snake, it is very important to receive the antidote as soon as possible.
- Call the emergency department even if you are not sure if the snake that bit you is poisonous or not. Don't wait for symptoms to appear - the poison may spread while you wait.
- The emergency officer will decide whether to send an ambulance or helicopter to help you, or will advise you to go to the nearest emergency room.
- If you decide to go to the emergency room, have someone accompany you. Don't drive yourself: the poison in circulation could cause symptoms such as blurred vision, difficulty breathing, fainting and paralysis, limiting your ability to drive.
Step 2. While you wait, it is important to remain calm
The higher the heart rate, the faster the poison will spread through the body. Don't try to suck the poison out of the wound; this does not help, the poison is already in circulation.
Step 3. Describe the snake to the person who answered the emergency number
During your call for help, describe the snake in as much detail as possible. This can help the hospital you are going to prepare the right antidote for you, or the emergency room medical staff may consult with poison experts to choose the best treatment for you. Offer as much information as possible about the snake's characteristics.
- How long was the snake?
- How big was he?
- What color was?
- What pattern or distinctive markings did it have?
- What was the shape of the snake's head? Was it triangular?
- What was the shape of the snake's pupils? Were they round or with a vertical stripe?
- If a friend of yours can take a picture of the animal while you are on the phone with emergency response, take it with you.
- Don't try to kill the snake to take it with you. Doing so is very dangerous, in fact you would risk being bitten again, you would waste precious time before receiving the antidote and you would accelerate the spread of the poison in your body, due to your efforts and your movements.
- Some antidotes are multi-purpose, meaning they are effective against different types of poison.
Step 4. Stay calm
Do your best to remain calm, still and silent as you reach the hospital or wait for the ambulance to arrive. The faster your heart rate, the more blood flow to the bitten area will increase, favoring the spread of the venom.
- The injured area will likely be swollen. Quickly remove all jewelry and clothing that is holding you.
- Keep the bite area below heart level to reduce the spread of the venom to the rest of the body.
- If you've been bitten on the arm or leg, splint that limb to limit its movement. This will help you not to move it without realizing it. It is good not to increase blood circulation in the affected area.
- If you find yourself with someone strong enough to hold your weight, let yourself be carried away by them, so as not to speed up circulation by walking.
- If you have to walk, reduce the physical effort required by not carrying anything with you (like a backpack).
Step 5. Let the wound bleed
In the beginning, the bite will cause profuse bleeding, because poisons usually contain anticoagulants. If the bite is deep enough to cause blood to spurt (for example, because it has torn a major artery and you are losing a lot of blood), apply pressure to the wound right away.
- Although some sources suggest washing the wound with soap and water, others advise against doing so, because the traces of venom, found in the vicinity of the bite, can help medical personnel identify the type of snake that hit you and decide. what antidote to give you.
- Cover the bite with a clean, drug-free bandage.
Step 6. Look out for symptoms of a poisonous bite
Symptoms vary depending on the type of snake, the severity of the bite, and the amount of venom injected into the wound. They may include:
- Redness, discoloration and swelling near the bite
- Intense pain or burning
- He retched.
- Diarrhea.
- Hypotension (low blood pressure)
- Dizziness or fainting
- Difficulty in breathing
- Blurred vision
- Headache
- Excessive salivation
- Sweating, fever and thirst
- Soreness or tingling in the face or limbs
- Loss of coordination
- Difficulty speaking
- Swelling of the tongue and throat
- Abdominal pain
- Weakness
- Accelerated heartbeat
- Convulsions
- Shock
- Paralysis
- Dizziness
Step 7. Consider your options if you are unable to get timely medical attention
Nowadays, almost all cell phones are equipped with a GPS system and this allows medical personnel to find you, even if you are hiking in a remote area. Therefore, always call the emergency department, to consider all the possibilities available to you. Remember, the only effective treatment is an antidote; without this drug, the bite could be fatal or result in permanent injury. If you can't contact emergency room, your options include:
- Walk until you reach an area where you can call for help. In this case, try to move as fast as possible, but with minimal effort. If you are with a friend, ask them to bring your backpack.
- If walking isn't an option, wash the wound with soap and water to reduce the chances of infection.
- Bandage the affected limb with a bandage, 5-10 cm above the bite, to limit - but not interrupt - circulation. You should be able to insert a finger under the bandage. This will slow down the spread of the poison without damaging the limb.
- If you have a first aid kit with a suction pump available, use it according to the manufacturer's directions. Many sources claim that this therapy does not remove poison effectively, but if you don't have the option of receiving an antidote, it's worth a try.
- Rest and try to stay calm. Keep the bitten area below heart level to slow the spread of the venom. Snakes don't always inject their venom when they bite, and even when they do, they don't always inject large amounts. You might be lucky.
Part 2 of 3: Things not to do
Step 1. Avoid cold compresses and ice packs
Applying these treatments will reduce circulation, concentrating the poison in the tissues, which could suffer more serious damage.
Step 2. Leave the wound intact
Don't cut it. This procedure is often done before using a pump, but it increases the chances of infection. Also consider that:
- Snakes' teeth are curved, so venom will rarely be injected into the exact spot of the bite.
- The poison has already begun to spread.
Step 3. Don't try to suck the poison with your mouth
Transferring poison to your mouth is dangerous, as you may be absorbing it through the membranes of your mouth. Additionally, you risk infecting the wound with bacteria in your mouth.
- Most of the poison will remain in your body anyway, so the best way to spend your time is to go out of your way to get medical attention as soon as possible.
- While some sources recommend using a suction pump, others claim it is ineffective therapy.
Step 4. Only take prescription drugs
Do not take any medications or pain relievers unless a doctor instructed you to do so. Medicines cannot replace the effect of an antidote.
Step 5. Do not apply an electric shock to the wound
This therapy can hurt you and has not been shown to be effective in treating snake bites.
Step 6. Do not use tourniquets
Reducing blood circulation concentrates poison in the affected limb, increasing the likelihood of tissue damage. Also, completely preventing circulation in a limb can cause permanent damage to its tissues.
- If you can't get prompt medical attention, apply a pressure bandage 5 to 10 cm above the bite to slow the spread of the venom. However, consider that this treatment also concentrates the poison in the limb, increasing the chances of tissue damage.
- Do not completely stop blood flow to the limb.
Part 3 of 3: Preventing Snake Bites
Step 1. Avoid snakes
If you see a snake, go around it keeping it at a safe distance. These animals can move at astonishing speed when they strike.
- If you hear the characteristic sound of a rattlesnake, run away immediately.
- Most snakes avoid humans if given the chance.
- Don't try to annoy a snake or hit it with a stick.
- Don't try to catch a snake with your hands.
Step 2. Wear thick leather boots and leg protectors against snakes
The protectors are strips of leather that you can tie over the boots, to protect the legs from the bites of these animals. They are heavy and keep very warm, but they can save you from unpleasant injuries. There are also boots designed specifically to prevent snake bites.
Leg and foot protectors are especially important if you are walking in nature at night, when there is the possibility of stepping on a snake without seeing it
Step 3. Avoid tall grass
In the tall grass it is difficult to see where you are putting your feet or to see the snakes in time. If you need to walk in terrain where these animals can hide, use a long stick to sweep the grass in front of you. By doing so, you will be able to see the snakes and scare them.
Step 4. Don't flip rocks and logs
Snakes may be hiding under them. If you have to do this, use a long stick and keep your hands away from the holes you can't see inside.
If you are gardening in an area where poisonous snakes are present, wear thick leather gloves to protect your hands. The best protectors are those with long handles, to protect the arms
Step 5. Learn to recognize and avoid poisonous snakes in your area
To protect yourself, find out what the characteristics of local venomous snakes are and take special care to stay away from them when you see them. Also remember to always stay alert, looking for the characteristic sound of a rattlesnake. If you hear that noise, get away as fast as possible!
