First Aid for Snake Bite – Comprehensive explanation with doctor’s video

Always consider snake bite as venomous – otherwise many people may falter here and therefore don’t take immediate medical care.

If you are living in a location where there are many venomous snakes, then it is
always recommended to keep a snake bite kit handy.

• Call emergency care service as soon as you get the bite.
• Take a few long and deep breaths to calm yourself.
• Proper identification of the snake help with the treatment.
• Remove anything tight from around the bitten part of the body (e.g.:
• rings, anklets, bracelets) as these can cause harm if swelling occurs.
• Keep the affected body part (hand, leg or any other body part where the snake has bitten) below the level of the heart to slow down the spread of venom.
• Don’t move at all – specially the affected body part.
• If the snake has bitten on the wrist or hand, then don’t elevate the hand
• while wrapping pressure immobilization bandage.
• Roll over to your side and be in a recovery position.
• Don’t move around sit calm and relax – this will slow down the spread of
• venom in the body. (A person who has been bitten by a poisonous snake – not moving can save his or her life)
• Use a clean dry bandage to cover the wound.
• Use pressure immobilization bandage. Tightly wrapped this bandage around the bite.
• Use another immobilization bandage and wrapped it around the entire
• limb to immobilize it completely.
• You can use elasticised roller bandage.
• Don’t apply tourniquet – It is dangerous.
• Don’t remove the shirt or pant – just push the sleeve up and continue
• wrapping over the sleeve – any movement will allow the venom to move faster.
• Immobilize the hand by tying the affected hand against the trunk by using two bands one at the chest and the other at the waist.
• Use limb immobilization splint available with the kit to immobilize limb.
• Don’t allow the person to walk – instead immobilize the person completely if possible. It is better if you can use a makeshift stretcher to carry the affected person to the vehicle.
• Avoid traditional first aid methods like herbal supplements, homemade concoctions, etc to nullify the effects of poison.
• Closely monitor airway and breathing and be ready to resuscitate if necessary. Learn about resuscitation
• Ultimate treatment will be anti-venom.
• Knowing the snake will help your doctor decide and give an apt anti-venom as early as possible.

What things you shouldn’t do while giving first aid for snake bite?

Don’t try to be just like your favourite hero whom you have seen many times sucking wounds of her lovely heroine when she gets bitten by a snake.

Don’t try to suck venom – it is useless and risky.

Don’t go in search of the snake as it increases the risk of being bitten once again. Even after killing a snake don’t try to pick up the snake or wrap it around
your hand. All these heroic manoeuvres of yours can risk your life. Remember! Sometimes snakes don’t die, but appears as if they are dead. When you touch or pick them up, they bite – be cautious here

Don’t cut open the wound and expose it assuming that it will remove the venom.

Don’t apply soil, water or submerge the wound in water.

Don’t give any drink or beverage (tea or coffee) to the victim.

Don’t give alcohol.

Don’t apply ice or wet cloth.

Don’t give pain-relieving medicines (acetaminophen, ibuprofen).

Don’t apply a tourniquet – it is dangerous.