If you happen to be bitten by a snake, it’s essential to get emergency treatment as quickly as possible.
Here are some tips that you should ALWAYS keep in mind:
Step 1: Call 000 as soon as possible.
Lay the bitten victim down and do not let them move unless there
could be danger around the victim.
Ensure the patient is well hydrated to reduce the risk of acute renal
failure.
It is important to provide reassurance to prevent panic and inhibit the
victim to be anxious.
Step 2: Wrap a stretchable bandage or cloth on the entire leg starting at the
toes or if the hand is bitten starting at the arm. It is preferred to use a
broad bandage (at least 7.5cm wide).
If the bandage does not cover the entire leg or arm, start with a new
bandage at the point the last bandage ended until the entire leg or arm
is fully covered. Make sure to leave the tips of the toes/fingers out to
check on circulation. The bandage should be firm enough to reduce
movement but not to compress blood flow.
Step 3: It would be helpful for emergency services personnel to mark with a
pen or anything readily available to spot the bite site once the entire
the limb has been covered.
Step 4: For bites on the leg and the arm, make sure to splint or use a hard
linen material. Then strap the legs together with slings or a strip of
rigid material to prevent movement. Once the bandage is applied, try
not to remove it.
Continue to provide reassurance and make sure the victim is comfortable until the arrival of emergency services.
Additional preventions:
Restrain from washing the bite site.
Do not attempt to lacerate the bite site to venom out the limb.
Never try to suck the venom out of the limb.
Do not apply a tourniquet to the limb for it could compress
the flow of blood.
Prevent moving the victim unless in immediate danger.
Do not kill or attempt to pick-up the snake. Take a picture if you can but don’t
waste time hunting it down.
