I've Been Bitten - What Should I Do?
So you have just been bitten by a snake that was hiding in the grass while you were out tending to the family cows. What should you do? What should you not do? Read the material below and be ready to use what you learn in the event this happens!
Things You Should Do
Move Away From The Snake
Get a safe distance away from the snake (at least 5 m or 15 feet). Reduce the risk of another bite and give the snake room to move away.
Get To A Hospital As Soon As Possible
Some snake venoms can kill in as little as 30 minutes. You cannot afford to waste any time or you risk losing your life. Call a boda boda or car to get you to the hospital as quickly as possible.
Keep Yourself Or The Victim Calm And Still
If the victim is afraid and does not remain still, the venom can move more quickly through the body and cause more damage. It is especially important to keep the wounded area still and below the heart.
Remove All Restrictive Items From Near The Bite Site
Remove jewelry and tight clothing, or any other restrictive material or device. If you do not, it might restrict blood flow to the wounded area which is important for healing. Once the swelling commences, it may be impossible to remove the restricting object.
Immobilize the Wounded Limb With A Splint
A splint can be made with one or two pieces of wood or other solid material. They should be positioned in such a way that once they are tied on, the limb cannot move. Use strips of cloth to tie the wood firmly but loosely on the limb (see photo on left).
Record the time of the bite and drink water to prevent dehydration
Recording the time of the bite is important information to give to the hospital as they will use it to check the progress of symptoms such as swelling or difficulty breathing. Drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated is very important.
Things You Should NOT Do
Do Not Apply A Tourniquet
If a tourniquet is not applied correctly, it can cause more harm than good. A tourniquet reduces the flow of blood, but it also keep tissue destroying venom in the same area where it can cause much more damage. Plus swelling behind the tourniquet can cut off circulation entirely.
Do Not Try To Suck Out The Venom
Snake fangs inject venom deep into the body, so sucking on the wound to draw out venom is ineffective. Plus, if you have an open cut or sore in your mouth, you risk getting the venom into your blood stream which would cause you to experience symptoms.
Do Not Cut, Burn, Freeze, Spit On, Or Shock The Bite Site
Any disturbance of the wound could cause the venom to disperse into the body more quickly.
Do Not Waste Time Seeking Traditional Remedies Or Cures
Once venom gets into your blood and lymphatic systems, it can only be neutralized and rendered ineffective by antivenom. Traditional remedies can do NOTHING to stop the venom, but may be useful for reducing pain and swelling.