Snakebite First Aid
More Articles Related to SafetyWhen most people think of snakebites they think of those Hollywood movies where the manly outdoorsman comes to the snakebitten ladies rescue. He makes an incision along the wound and sucks out the snake venom from the ladies ankle with his mouth.
Despite the obvious oral overtones, sucking poison from a snakebite as a means of first aid may actually be harmful to both the victim and the rescuer. At the very least it probably will not help much in removing the snake venom from her body and may actually cause more damage than doing nothing at all.
But the question remains: What should you do if you are bitten by snake? In areas where poisonous snakes abound it probably is a good idea to always carry a snakebite kit. Beyond that the following information about snakes and snakebites is required reading for anyone interested in the study of survival.
The Red Cross has done studies on snakebite epidemiology and recommends the following course of action:
- Wash the area of the snakebite with plain soap and water
- Immobilize the area bitten by the snake
- Keep the wound lower than the heart
- Seek medical attention for the snakebite.
If it is impossible to get the snakebite victim medical treatment within a half hour, you may choose to take of the wound -
- Wrap a bandage several inches above the wound in order to slow the spread of the snake’s venom. Be sure the bandage is loose enough for at least a finger to slip between the bandage and the skin.
- Suction can be used to help draw the snakebite venom from the wound.
- Do not make any incisions in the wound.
- Commercial snakebite kits can be used in helping to suck out the snake venom.
Poisonous snakes of even the same species can widely differ in the amount and potency of the poison they deliver. Factors that influence the snake’s venom include
- The age of the snake.
- the snakes health.
- The size of the snake.
- Whether or not the snake has recently struck another victim.
- Even its genetic makeup.
Sometimes a snake may be out of venom and has not yet had time to recharge its reserves before biting again. It has been found that from 30 to 50% of bites from venomous snakes have no poison injected into the victim. Often it has been found that the snake actually mistimes the strike, so that the poison falls harmlessly to the ground.
Many doctors feel that often the best way to treat venomous snakebites is to do nothing at all. Usually the patient will make a full recovery without any intervention.
For the treatment of serious snakebites antivenin is often used. This antidote for snakebites that are poisonous has been used with great success for many years. One problem with using antivenin, or antivenom, is that it is derived from horses and may cause its recipient to have a lifelong reaction to horse products.
Again, snakes play an important role in the natural world. The best that can be done is to avoid snake confrontation. That is the way of the expert survivor - live and let live!
Southern California
I'm a doctor, and I work at a hospital where we do a bit of snakebite research. The commercial snakebite kits do little for the venom delivered and may do more harm than good, and the age of the snake is a commonly held misperception - young snakes are not more venomous than adults. Finally, "antivenin" is a commercial name for "antivenom", although they're still used interchangeably.
Northern California
What i've been hearing is that the old "cut-and-suck" treatment has been thoroughly discarded, and unless you have a snakebite kit, the current advice is to do virtually nothing. The good doctor who has responded has said that the commercial snakebite kits are essentially worthless also, confirming my suspicions. Thanks, doc!
Kansas City, Missouri
What is in a commercial snake-bite kit (even if they are, perhaps, "nearly useless")? Wouldn't you use a tourniquet to stop the flow of blood from the snakes bite, much tighter (although loosened regularly) than a "finger width"?
Survival Topics - a snakebite kit typically has a rubber suction device that can be used to draw some poison and possibly infectious materials from the bite. The kit should also contain an antiseptic and bandage. A tourniquet can be used for the short term, no longer than an hour or so, in order to slow the spread of snake toxins while the victim is being rescued.
San Diego
I usually carry a stripped down Saywer Extractor device in my pocket to give me a good chance. A length of latex tubing helps slow the flow of venom at the surface if its a shallow bite. Great information being shared here!!!
Texas
I think it is good to know how to take care of snake bites, and I am glad to have read this article!
California
I use activated charcoal for many health problems and their website has great stories of charcoal slurry healing snake, spider and scorpion bites. You could carry a little with you or grind up the charcoal in a fire pit, mix it with water and put some on the wound and take some internally.
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Kansas USA
I am glad you wrote about snakes being very important to the world. They eat many pests. I always carry a snakebite kit though I have never needed to use it. Maybe you should write an article on how to use a snakebite kit.