SURVIVING A SNAKE BITE

Usually, after a bite from a venomous snake, there is severe burning pain at the bite site within 15 to 30 minutes. This can progress to swelling, and bruising at the wound site, and all the way up the arm, leg, or whichever part of the body is affected. Other signs and symptoms include nausea, breathing difficulty, weakness, and an odd taste in the mouth.

Immediately after a snake bite, call an ambulance immediately for urgent medical assistance.

Snakebite should be treated as an emergency, regardless of whether one thinks that the snake was venomous or not. Do not wait to see if the victim would feel the symptoms of venom poisoning, it might be too late by that time.

Remove any jewelry from the area that was bitten, remove shoes if the leg or foot was bitten.

Don’t panic and don’t move.

The victim needs to stay as still as possible because it may slow down the spread of venom in the body, and this might save one’s life.

If you’re sure the snake has moved away after biting the victim, and you’re not in danger of being bitten again, remain where you are, rather than walking to get help. If you’re with other people, they shouldn’t move the victim at all, but start administering first aid care where the victim is.

Don’t try to identify, catch, injure or kill the snake, just leave it alone.

When applying the pressure immobilization technique, keep the victim as still as possible, especially the site of the venomous snake bite. Do not elevate the wound. The idea is to slow the venom’s movement into the body system. This buys time until the arrival of advanced medical care.

Apply the bandage as tightly as possible to the limb, if you don’t have a bandage handy, any stretchy material will do ( e.g torn t-shirts, stockings or other fabric can be used as a bandage).

Once the bandage is on, mark the bite site on the bandage with any substance that will leave a mark. If you’ve got nothing on you, putting a little dirt on the bandage will work.

Then, splint the limb to keep it still, using any straight object e.g a stick. Fix the splint in place by securing it to the limb with bandages or other material.

Do not try to do the following;

Suck out the venom or cut the bite area

Apply tourniquet, ice, or water

Give the person alcohol or caffeinated drinks, it could speed up the body’s absorption of venom.

Give any medication unless directed by a doctor

Facts about snake bites;

It’s a myth that snake venom gets straight into the blood stream after a bite.

Instead, it moves through the lymphatic system. Lymph is a fluid in the body that contains white blood cells. Unlike blood, which is pumped around the body continuously, the lymph moves when you move your limbs. If you can stay still and calm, one can prevent the venom in the lymph from moving further into the body.

it’s rare for people to die after being bitten by a snake, especially if they follow first aid steps.