April 29, 2009
I receive a lot of questions about snakebites while conducting training classes onboard yachts, so this month I would like to start by telling you what not to do.
Do not cut or suck on the wound. In addition to the obvious risk factors to the rescuer, you can damage skin and organs, increase the risk of infection, and it will not remove venom.
Do not use ice. Ice has no effect on venom.
Do not use alcohol. Alcohol will not help and may increase venom absorption.
Do not use a tourniquet. They do not stop venom and may cause the victim to lose a limb.
There are more than 3,000 species of snakes worldwide; about 500 species are venomous. About 5 million snakebites occur worldwide each year, causing about 125,000 deaths.
Venom is basically a modified form of saliva. It immobilizes prey so a snake can eat. It acts quickly, affecting the central nervous system, lungs and heart.
If you are bitten by a poisonous snake or lizard, seek emergency medical care immediately. Don’t wait until you experience symptoms.
Never try to kill or capture the reptile just to identify it. Further exposure risks an additional bite. A snake has the ability to bite and release venom by reflex for up to 90 minutes after it is dead. Get as much information about the reptile as possible. If you can safely take a picture, this may help.
Antivenin may not be readily available at every medical facility. Call ahead to find the best place to be treated for the specific bite.
In North America, we have several snakes and lizards that are poisonous: pit vipers, which include rattlesnakes, copperheads and water moccasins/cotton mouths; coral snakes; the Gila monster; and the Mexican bearded lizard. In Maine, Alaska and Hawaii, there are no native poisonous snakes.
Symptoms from snakebites may appear within minutes or take hours. Symptoms may include severe burning or pain where bitten, swelling that starts at the bite and spreads, and possible bleeding from the wound as well as blistering, fever, nervous system disruption, numbness, convulsions, excessive sweating, diarrhea, vision problems, increased thirst, nausea and vomiting, rapid pulse, difficulty speaking, and difficulty breathing and/or cessation of breathing.
Sea snakes and some Australian snakes can cause muscle death in multiple areas of the body. These dead muscle cells can clog the kidneys, which can lead to kidney failure.
Use caution when dealing with snakebites. A victim may have no initial significant symptoms, and then suddenly develop breathing difficulty and go into shock.
If you do not develop any symptoms after 10-12 hours, it is possible that you were either bitten by a non-venomous snake or no venom was injected. This type of dry bite occurs in approximately 25 percent to 50 percent of all bites.
Of those bites where venom was injected into the body, only about 10 percent are severe. But even if you do not develop symptoms after 10 hours, still seek medical attention and continue to look for symptoms for the next several weeks.
Snakebite victims should seek medical care unless the snake is positively identified as non-venomous. If you are not certain the snake is non-venomous seek medical attention.
A victim who is young, old or has health problems is generally at greater risk than a healthy adult. Factors that affect the severity of a poisonous snake or lizard bite include type and size of the reptile, as well as the quantity of the venom injected, the potency of the venom, the location and depth of the bite, and the number of bites.
Bites by non-venomous species require good wound care. Wash the bite with lots of soap and water and carefully inspect the wound for broken fangs, dirt or debris. Victims that have not had a tetanus booster within the past five years should get one.
Remove any constricting items, such as rings, wrist watches or other jewelry that could reduce blood flow if the bite area swells. Immobilize the bitten area and keep it lower than the heart. Cover the area with a clean, cool bandage to minimize swelling, and monitor vital signs. If any changes occur, immediately call or radio for help.
Keith Murray, a former Florida firefighter EMT, is the owner of The CPR School, a mobile training company that provides CPR, AED and first aid training. He also sells and services automated external defibrillators. Contact him at +1-561-762-0500 or keith@theCPRschool.com . Comments on this column are welcome at editorial@the-triton.com .
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