Snake Bite Definition Sign And Symptoms And First Aid

DefinitionOf Snake Bite

:A snakebite is an injury caused by a bite from a snake, often resulting in puncture wounds inflicted by the animal's fangs and sometimes resulting in envenomation.

Signs And Symptoms :
The most common symptoms of all snakebites are:

• over whelming fear
• panic
• emotional instability
• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhoea
• vertigo
• fainting
• tachycardia (fast heart beat)
• cold and clammy skin.

Physically based symptoms-

• Most snake bites, whether by a venomous snake or not, will have 

some type of local effect. There can be minor pain and redness in over 90% of cases, although this varies depending on the site.

• Bites by vipers and some cobras may be extremely painful, with the local area sometimes becoming tender and severely swollen within 5 minutes. The bite area may also bleed and blister.

• Pit viper bites may include lethargy, weakness, nausea, and vomiting. Then over time may develop more life-threatening symptoms such as low blood pressure, rapid breathing, severe tachycardia (heart beats very fast), altered perception of what is happening around them and respiratory failure (breathing difficulty or breathing stops).

First Aid For Snakebites

• Call medical help immediately if possible.
• Remain calm, remember most snake bites are not fatal.
• Minimise movement if possible. If you are hiking alone you may have to hike out for help.
• If you are bitten on the arm or finger remove any rings, bracelets or watches. Loosen any tight clothing in case swelling occurs.
• Apply a pressure bandage to the bitten limb. If the bite is to the trunk, head or neck, apply firm pressure to the bitten area. Do not restrict chest movement as breathing will be affected by this.
• Splint or use a sling on the bitten limb to restrict movement.
• If there is no bandage or equivalent to apply a pressure bandage make note of any inflammation by tracing the edge of the swelling with a pen or the like near/around the bite and mark the time clearly next to it. If it progresses make a new tracing noting the time of each new mark beside that new tracing. This will give valuable information to medical help as to the development of the swelling.
• If possible, lie down and keep the bitten extremity at body level. Raising it can cause venom to travel through the body quicker. Holding it down, can increase swelling.
• When possible arrange for transport to the nearest hospital emergency room, where anti-venom for snakes common to the area will often be available and given if required.

Some definite No No's  for Snake Bite First Aid:

• NO aspirin or other pain relievers. 

• NO tourniquets. This cuts blood flow completely and may result in loss of the affected limb.

• DO NOT try to suck the venom out of the wound or cut into the bite with a knife. Such measures have not been proven useful and may cause further injury (see below explanation).

• DO NOT apply a cold compress or ice on the bite. Research has shown this to be potentially harmful.

• DO NOT raise the wound above the heart. Raising it can cause venom to travel into the body. Holding it down, can increase swelling.

• DO NOT use electric shock or a stun gun on the bite area. This method is under study and has yet to be proven effective. It could harm the victim.

• DO NOT wash the snake bite area - Australian recommendations for snake bite treatment strongly recommend against cleaning the wound. Traces of venom left on the skin/bandages from the strike can be used in combination with a snake bite identification kit to identify the species of snake. This speeds determination of which anti-venom to administer in the emergency room.(1)

• DO NOT try and capture the snake. If it's safe you can try to take a photo with a camera or with your phone. This is the best way in aiding snake identification.

PREVENTION
How to Avoid Getting Bitten:

•  Avoid stepping out in the dark, especially during the monsoons, without a torch and boots.
•  While walking through knee-high-grass, disturb the grass ahead with a stick to ensure that there are no snakes.
•  On trekking and camping trips, while picking up a tree-bark or fire-wood for cooking, be careful about snakes, which may be hiding beneath.
•  Wear leather ankle shoes for outdoor activities.
•  Keep your bags/haversacks and boots above the ground. Preferably closed to deny entry to snakes, these are good overnight shelters for snakes.
•  Before you wear your boots, hold its sole from toe side and bang the heel side on the ground several times to disturb any snake or biting and stinging insects inside and let it go.
•  During summer, when there is a scarcity of water, snakes may be attracted to cool spots near tents. So do not wet the soil around tents.
•  Rats or other small animals are attracted to left over food at night. Snakes are likely to follow rat tracks. Make sure that your leftover food is thrown far away at a designated area or buried.
• While rock-climbing be careful of snakes in crevices.
•  Drain-pipe openings of your kitchen and bathrooms should have fixed mesh caps (not hinged) to deny easy entry to snakes, which may stray in while chasing rats or to hide in cool and dark place. A snake can reach your bathroom via the network of drains.
•  Avoid rock-garden and rockery in your lawn. It is the most suitable place for snakes.
• Pathways should be well lit, avoid paving with loose tiles.
•  Avoid making water ponds at home.
•  All windows should be fitted with mesh.
•  Mesh in front of desert-cooler is essential. It is an easy way for a snake to make entry into house.
•  The bottom of doors should have rubber lining, on the outside, to stop the gap, so to prevent any snake creeping in. One of the best ways for snakes to make entry into house.
•  After any construction work at home, remove all the rubbles immediately. It gives shelter to snakes.
•  There should not be any vegetation (such as creeper, bush or small tree) touching the walls of the house, which can help a snake to climb to windows and any ventilators.
•  Disinfactants with pungent smells, like phenyl may be regularly used to wipe the floor and in the drains. Snakes avoid unpleasant smell.
•  Snakes love dark and cool places! Eliminate such areas at home.