Snake Bite

There are more than 2500 different kinds of snakes. Only about 200 of them are venomous. All snake bites are not fatal. Only a very small quantity of venom may have been injected and some people may even die not from the venom but from fear.

The aim of First Aid is to reassure the person, take steps to stop the spread of the venom and to obtain medical aid.

Management

1. Make the patient lie down, give him complete rest, calm and reassure him.
2. Do not make him walk.
3. If the bite is on the arm or leg, apply a constrictive bandage on the heart side of the bite tight enough to obstruct and stop the flow of the venom to all parts of the body. Don't tie it too firmly.
4. If water is not available and you have no cracks on your lips, tongue and the inside of the cheeks, you can suck the wound and spit out the poisonous material repeatedly.
5. Wash the wound with soap and water. Flush the wound with a lot of water.
6. Cover the wound with a sterile dressing.
7. Get medical aid or send the person on a stretcher to the hospital as quickly as possible. If the snake has been killed carry it to the hospital for identification. Should breathing fail, commence artificial respiration.