Snake bite first aid procedures pdf

Webmd walks you through the steps for emergency treatment of snake bites. Snakebite is an injury caused by a bite from a snake. Article pdf available in indian journal of community health 263. Basic first aid procedures should be applied in all circumstances followed promptly by appropriate medical treatment. Pdf awareness of snake bite and its first aid management. In the context of updating the first aid guidelines for subsaharan africa, we aimed to summarize the best available evidence for the treatment of snakebite, feasible for laypeople. Remove all staff and students from immediate area, or evacuate the room until snake is removed. The knowledge of snake bite first aid can be the difference between death and survival for a person that has been bitten. There is a range of insects and animals that can transfer disease with varying levels of contact. Note the location of the snake and ensure that this area is isolated until the snake is removed. Remember, traditional therapy have no proven benefit in the treatment of. Appropriate first aid should be applied and the patient promptly placed under medical supervision. Flying doctor issues new snakebite advice royal flying.

This animation is made strictly according to internationally accepted and verified snake bite treatment guidelines. Session 2012 dav pg college, dehradun project submitted to. Ideally the spotter should also have this certification. Its also important to be aware that bites from snakes can cause a severe allergic reaction anaphylaxis in some people. The prognosis of a snake bite is dependent on the type of snake involved, the venom type, site of bite, overall health of the individual, and. The specifics of these procedures lie outside of the scope of this course and. Most species of snake are harmless but unless you are absolutely sure that you have identified the snake correctly then treat the bite seriously and apply snake bite first aid. A weekend outing can bring you closer to the joys of. The victim may receive all, a portion, or none of the venom when the snake strikes. Immediately call 911 or the local emergency number, if the symptoms are severe.

Identification or description of the snake can be helpful in developing a treatment plan, as not all snakes are venomous, and different kinds of antivenom exist for different species of snakes that are venomous. Diagnosis of snakebite is made based on the history of the event. Most of the familiar methods for firstaid treatment of snakebite, both vi. Clinical presentation of snakebite victim depends upon species of snake, amount of venom injected, season of the bite, whether snake is fed or unfed, site of bite, area covered or uncovered, dry or incomplete bite, multiple bites, venom injection in vessel, weight of the victim and time elapsed between the bite and administration of asv. The practical recommendation for the treatment of snakebite in a first aid setting is to immo. Venomous snake rescuers and rehabilitators must hold a current firstaid certification. Only documents in the university governance document library online are considered to be the most current version. A venomous poisonous snake bite is a bite or a puncture wound made by a snake that is capable of injecting, secreting, or spitting venom into the penetrated skin wound, mucus membranes or the eyes where the toxin can be absorbed. Snake bites treatment should be handled immediately and with great care. A cut off head can keep poisonous activities for several minutes. Its not a surprise if his name rings a bell johan is the author of the bestselling complete guide to snakes of southern africa and snakes and snakebite in southern africa and you may have read his article snakebite.

Since it is very difficult to distinguish if the bite is from a poisonous snake or not, immediate first aid should always be applied to all snake bites. The treatment of snake bites in a first aid setting cebap. The doctor also looks for evidence of fang marks or local trauma in the area of the bite. The following section is a presentation of the first aid measures required for the management of snake bite. Prompt treatment may help promote recovery by minimizing symptoms. Thread the snakes tail through the opening in the rubbermaid container from the inside out, while still holding the snake firmly in the tube. It is stressed that this is not a suitable substitute for formal training. First aid and symptomatic treatment is the standard. In july 2006, a national snakebite conference was convened,including indian and.

If you know the snake is not venomous, treat as a puncture wound. Do not cut, squeeze, or suck on the wound and keep the wounded area below heart level. Venomous snakes found in the continental united states include rattlesnakes, copperheads. However, in addition to this all field guides must be fully competent to. Prompt treatment can minimize symptoms and promote recovery. Of the numerous first aid measures supported in literature and used in practice, we could only find. The american heart association first aid manual combined 2010. Online fact sheets are a guide to basic first aid procedures. Ensuring staff are appropriately educated on procedures to prevent snakebite and to deliver first aid in response to a snake bite. A snake bite firstaid kit must be easily accessible to the spotter during venomous snake rescues. Once the snake has crawled at least 12 ft into the tube, then reach down and grab the snakes body where it exits the tube. Snakebite first aid fangs that are grooved to allow the venom to flow down the fang surface and trickle into the wound.

They are regularly updated and align with the current edition of australian first aid 4th edition, 72011. Worldwide, there are about 20,000 to 100,000 snakebite deaths per year. If a sea snake bite or sting or bite of a marine creature is suspected, it is always important to call your local emergency helpline number or dial 911 in the us without any delay, and provide as much information as possible, even if the individual does not have any symptoms. Management of snake bite in india shibendu ghosh1, prabuddha mukhopadhyay2, tanmoy chatterjee 3.

This can slow down the spread of venom if the snake is venomous. Snakes can continue to bite and inject venom with successive bites until they run out of venom. Our south eastern section has updated its advice and procedures following the publication of a new snakebite study. The treatment of snake bites in a first aid setting. Much of our environment appears to be relatively harmless. Supplying a first aid kit for use on site and on offsite excursions to administer first aid in response to snake bites. To treat a rattlesnake bite, first move away from the rattlesnake. Basic first aid for snake bite envenomation objectives. Snakebite and spiderbite clinical management guidelines. It can be dangerous and life threatening if the snake will venomous. As always, an ounce of prevention is worth a ton of first aid when it comes to snake bites. First aid officers are to keep a log of all treatment provided and first aid equipment dispensed.

The recommendations for field treatment of venomous snakebites will be discussed. First aid if not done properly could cause more harm than benefit. In north america, there are about 25 species of snakes able to secrete venom. Snake bite pdf spider bites pdf spinal injury pdf sprains and strains pdf. Author summary the belgian red crossflanders develops first aid guidelines that specifically target laypeople. Prevent or respond to snake bitenatural disasters and. Therefore, adequate first aid for snakebite is of the utmost. Dial 911 or call local emergency medical services ems. For mild bites and stings, basic first aid treatment is usually enough. All snake bites must be treated as potentially lifethreatening. Pdf background the worldwide burden of snakebite is high, especially in remote regions with lesser accessibility to professional healthcare. Although relatively few bites and stings are seriously dangerous to humans, it may be difficult to distinguish which bites and stings are serious from those which are not. First aidfirst aid first aid is the provision of initial care for an illness or injury. Awareness of snake bite and its first aid management in rural areas of maharashtra.

It is the absolute responsibility of the student to attain a formal firstaid qualification. Guidelines for the management of snakebites world health. If a venomous snake bites you, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately, especially if the bitten area changes color, begins to swell or is painful. If you are bitten by a snake, call triple zero 000 for an ambulance. If not, the spotter should have a good understanding of modern firstaid techniques for snake bites. As soon as you can, call 911 and while you wait for a paramedic, remove any clothes or jewelry. First aid response refer to snake bite first aid procedure on whs board and in first aid kits. Up to 50% of all venomous bites are reported to be dry bites. Whole families were studied and 124 people were intervie wed through an intervi eweradministered questionnaire.

Apply first aid if you cannot get the person to the hospital right away. The australian snakebite project is the most comprehensive ever carried out, involved over 1500 patients and collated snakebite data from the past 10 years 200515. First aid and prehospital management of venomous snakebites. The individual who was bitten by a snake or someone nearby can administer first aid. Snakebite and spiderbite clinical management guidelines 20 third edition summaryrevised clinical resource document which provides information and advise on the management of patients with actual or suspected snakebite or spiderbite, and the appropriate levels, type and location of stored antivenom in nsw health facilities. This fact sheet includes advice on basic first aid procedures for common bites and stings only. A primary recommendation, based on evidence based procedures, was to establish a single protocol for both firstaid and treatment, and is relevant in indian context as well. Safely and rapidly transport the victim to an emergency medical.

The mozambique spitting cobra accounts for the vast majority of serious bites, followed by the puff adder, and then the stiletto snake and rhombic night adder. If you are bitten by a snake, try to memorize the iden. Pdf the treatment of snake bites in a first aid setting. This publication aims to pass on a digest of available. Therefore, adequate first aid for snakebite is of the utmost importance. If possible, take these steps while waiting for medical help. The publication of this study is very timely as the warm, dry winter and sudden rise in temperatures has. Lay or sit the person down with the bite below the level of the heart. If the snake is known to be venomous andor there are symptoms of poisoning, antivenom. The practical recommendation for the treatment of snakebite in a first aid setting is.

Who 2004 provided recommendations to reduce death due to snake bite as per international norms. If a snake is seen or reported on or near the site. Encouraging parents to teach children snake bite prevention behaviours outside of. However, to be extra safe, ensure that you treat the bite as a venomous bite. How to treat a rattlesnake bite with pictures wikihow.

Use the mobile phone or a cordless phone to call an ambulance so the phone can be given to the persons administering first. Wherever possible, avoid handling animals that may carry disease and protect against insect stings with insect repellents and appropriate clothing. The best way to deal with a snake bite is to prevent it altogether by avoiding snakes, following universal precautions and wearing personal protective equipment if you have to be near snakes. Anyone whose occupation requires time outdoors has a chance of encountering a snake, particularly in warmer states in the south, southwest and west. Identify or be able to describe the snake, but only if it can be done without significant risk for a second bite or a second victim. First aid treatment for snake bites snake bite protocol.