STEPS:-
1. Call emergency services or get to a hospital. Most
snake bites aren't poisonous, but when you do get bitten by a poisonous
snake, getting medical care as soon as possible is imperative. Either
call paramedics or get to an emergency room right away.
2. Take note of the snake's appearance.
Don't literally take out a notepad and record details (yet), but it's
important to be able to describe the snake to hospital staff later so
the proper anti venom can be administered. Try to make a mental picture
of its coloring and the patterns on its body.
- Do this in a split second. Don't walk toward the snake or spend a lot of time trying to get a better look; you don't have time for that.
- Have a fellow hiker also take a mental picture to verify what you've seen. The stress of getting bitten by a snake could make it difficult to remember details. The friend may also have the chance to take a picture of the snake once the situation has been stabilized.
3. Move away from the snake. You should immediately get
out of the snake's range, so you don't get bitten a second time. Get to a
safe spot a fair distance away from the site where the bite occurred.
Do not run away or move to far, however; if your heart starts pumping
faster, the venom will spread more quickly through your body.
- Try not to panic as you're moving away. If you get extremely stressed out, your heart will beat faster and spread the venom around.
- Move to a place where the snake is not likely to come back. Find a flat boulder a bit above the path, a clearing, or another area without a lot of hiding places for snakes.
4. Be as still as possible. If you're waiting for help
to arrive, lie down on your back and take deep, steady breaths to calm
yourself down. Don't move your body more than necessary; you should lie
very still, to prevent your heart from beating too fast.
- If you're being transported to the hospital, get in the care carefully and stay very still. Recline the seat as far back as you can.
5.Remove clothing or constricting items. Bites from venomous snakes can cause rapid and severe swelling. Remove clothing or jewelry from the area.
6.Cover the bite lightly, then leave it alone. If you
have a sterile bandage available, place it over the bite. After that,
leave it to the paramedics to treat it further. There are many myths
about what to do in case of snake bite; almost all of them just make the
problem worse.
- Don't try to suck the venom out.
- Don't cut the skin around the wound.
- Don't apply a tourniquet; this can cut off the circulation and lead to complications.
- Don't apply ice.
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