First aid for a snake bite: what can and can not do

How to provide first aid for snake bite

1. Stay away from snakes

Otherwise it may bite again. The minimum distance from the reptile should be equal to the length of his body.

2. Immediately call an ambulance

The venom of certain snakes penetrates very quickly in the body and leadsSnake bites to death. Therefore, if possible, rather dial number 103 or 112.

Very well, if you remember, looks like a snake. Describe the details of the dispatcher and tell exactly where the bite.

If there is someone who can take the victim to the hospital faster than coming ambulance, Ask him to do it.

3. Take a picture of a snake

If the snake has not had time to crawl away, and the phone is at hand, take a picture of it or have done it the one who is near you.

4. Remove or undo anything that might push

Snake bites can cause severe swelling. So first of all it is necessary to remove the rings, bracelets and watches that are near the affected area. They can hurt one`s skin.

Tight clothing should undo that did not press, but do not remove: unnecessary movements to anything. at bite up to gently undressed.

5. Cover the wound with a bandage free

Gently clean the wound with a damp cloth with an antiseptic or soap and water. Then, apply a clean, dry bandage so that it is not pressedHow to Prevent or Respond to a Snake BiteNot astringent. Due to this the wound will not get dirt and germs.

6. Keep calm

Reassure the victim and try to calm yourself if you are bitten. Panic will only worsen the situation, a heart will beat faster and help spreadSnake bites poison the body.

To slow its spread, you need to sit or lie down comfortably and not move and keep the affected area below heart level, if possible.

7. Leave a note for doctors

This point is especially important for those who are far away from the hospital and can not get medical help quickly.

Record next to the affected area or on paper the date and time of the bite. It also captures all the symptoms of redness and size. If possible, measure the circumference of the limb above and below the bite. This data is also write.

George Budarkevich

What to do if complications

Sometimes the snake bite causesSnake bites anaphylactic shock - a life-threatening condition. Here are its main symptoms:

• itching, hives and redness of the skin;
• swollen face, neck, lips, tongue and throat;
• shortness of breath and wheezing;
• rapid heartbeat;
• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
• dizziness and confusion in the speech;
• fainting;
• blindness;
• cold and clammy skin.

These symptoms may occur immediately or after a few hours of the bite. In any case, we must act very quickly.

If you have not called an ambulance, call immediately. Tell the dispatcher that the suspect anaphylaxis.

Place the victim on his back, as if he had vomiting, then turn on its side. If the hand is autoinjector with adrenaline, enter it in the thigh.

Start cardiopulmonary resuscitation, if a person is unconscious and not breathing. Continue until the ambulance arrives.

Do not leave the patient alone, even if his condition improved. The attack may happen again.

antihistamines anaphylaxis uselessAnaphylaxis - they do not have time to act.

What not to do if bitten by a snake

The World Health Organization recommendsSnakebite envenoming avoid these methods to remove the poison from the wound.

1. suck out the poison

Surely you are not seen as actors in movies heroically suck the poison to save bitten by a snake from certain death. But not everything in the movies, is applicable in life.

Studies have shown that sucking mouth or mechanical devices ineffective. Able to remove only from 0.04 to 2% of the venom. Vacuuming venom mouth can increase wound infection and cause abscesses, and also presents a danger to the rescuer as poison can be absorbed through the mucosa of the oral cavity.

George Budarkevich

2. cut wound

Needless to cut the wound to bleed and give the poison out. Firstly, it is impossible to know for sure how far the body has spread the poison. Secondly, it is only reopen the wound, make it more and complicate the situation. Thirdly, there is the risk of dirt or bring infection.

At the same time, according to George Budarkevicha, no positive effect will not be.

3. apply a tourniquet

Another common misconception: that the blood is not smashed poison throughout the body, you need to dress the wound tight tourniquet.

In fact, as scientists have foundTourniquet application after cobra bite: delay in the onset of neurotoxicity and the dangers of sudden release, Overlay harness is not only useless, but also harmfully. Because of it can develop respiratory paralysis.

overlay harness the effectiveness has not been confirmed in any of the studies. In this case, the imposition of arterial or venous tourniquet significantly increases the risk of ischemia and gangrene. This can lead to amputation.

George Budarkevich

How to prevent the snake bite

It's enough to follow the simple rulesSnakebite Prevention and First Aid:

1. Carefully watch your step, do not ignore the warning signs, if any.
2. You go around the places where there may be a snake: bushes, tall grass, rocky areas, logs, cliffs, swamps, deep holes in the ground.
3. Palpable stick ground before the other, if goes through high grass. It will scare the snake.
4. At night, be sure to shine the flashlight itself.
5. wear dense long pants and leather or rubber boots.
6. Do not come close to the snake and do not lift it, even if it seems that she is dead.
7. Use a stick to get something from under the rocks or crevices. Hands do not climb.
8. Freeze and do not move, if proved to be too close to the snake. Most likely, it will not touch you and just upolzot.