Snake bites

What are snake bites?
1. Snake bites are generally two puncture wounds.
  1. Nonvenomous bites should be treated as a puncture wound, and should be washed out very well.
  2. Venomous snake bites can cause sharp pain and mild discoloration of the affected part.
Dealing with snake bites
1. Treat the Nonvenomous bites as puncture wounds
2. Venomous bites
  1. Get them to professional medical care as soon as possible
  2. Keep the person calm. The faster that their heart is beating, the faster the venom travels
  3. You want to keep the affected area under the heart as to slow the venom
  4. clean the wounds out very well
  5. try to remember what the snake looked like because that will help in treating the victim. DO NOT try to catch the snake because it will most likely feel cornered and strike you to.
  6. DO NOT use venom extractors
  7. Try not to let the victim walk on the afflicted part.
  8. DO NOT apply ice
  9. DO NOT apply a tourniquet
  10. DO NOT cut the wound
  11. DO NOT try to suck out the poison
  12. DO NOT try electrocution
Cause and prevention
1. Snakes normally only bite when the snake feels cornered
2. Use a hiking stick to poke among stones and brush ahead of you when you walk through areas where snakes are common. Remember to stay on the trails. Watch where you put your hands as you collect firewood or climb over rocks and logs.
3. If you see a snake, DO NOT mess with it, poke at it, touch it, throw stuff at it, etc.

Basic Aid Training Update