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Snake Bite First-Aid

Learn the steps to take if you're bitten by a poisonous snake.

by: Annette McGivney

Of the estimated 6,000 to 8,000 poisonous snake bites that occur in the United States each year, there are only five to eight fatalities. The reason: Snakes don't want to waste their precious venom. They prefer to save it for something useful, like killing rodents they can then eat. Most human strikes are merely defensive in nature and leave behind just enough venom-the process is known as envenomization-to make you sick. Keep in mind that any amount of snake venom is life threatening to young children. Parents who take children hiking should be especially cautious in snake country.

If you or someone in your party is struck by a poisonous snake, better safe than sorry: Get to a medical facility. Administering antivenin is the only successful treatment. Longtime folk remedies like giving the person whiskey or the old "cut-and-suck" method (slicing the bite with a knife and sucking out the poison with your mouth) only make the victim's condition worse.

For the hike out to the car, immobilize the bitten extremity with a splint, and if possible, carry the victim to the trailhead. If you can't carry the person, he'll have to hike out on his own. It takes at least 2 hours for the symptoms of envenomization to take effect. Watch for signs of shock (heavy sweating, clammy skin, shallow breathing), since the fear of having been bitten is often more dangerous than the bite.
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READERS COMMENTS

It is also important to limit the blood flow from the extremity. As Dave mention in his responce; if you get bitten in a vein you have a limited amount of time and a greater chance of life or limb threatening injury. I carry an ace bandage in my pack. Put it on with some sort of make shift splint as you would far a sprain as soon as you are bitten. Make sure not to put it on so tight that you completley cutt off the flow of blood or you may lose your extremity from necrosis or lack of oxygen to the tissue of that area. This is only going to buy alittle more time. Get out of the woods and to a hospital. and for the love of pete quit reachin your hands into cravices and stepin over logs with out lookin behind them first LOL.
Posted: Apr 26, 2008 Andrew Bender

IMO There is really no "good" snake bite kit. They are only 50/50 at best and serve to keep the victim calmer. As they are virtualy useless should the venom get inside a vien. When you think of the speed that your heart pumps its blood. You will understand why I say this. But if you do carry one then I would recomend Sawyer Extractor as well. They are available at your favorite Wal-mart or outdoors store. In CA the two deadliest snakes out here (mojave Desert region) Are the Southwestern Diamondback and the Mojave Green rattler. With the Mojave green being the deadliest in the country. Reason is, Most rattler's venom will attack the respiratory and circulatory systems. The Mojave Green will attack those as well as the nervous system. In short. A bite from a Mojave Green can be fatal with in 15 minutes. If you are in the above mentioned region and get bit. I recomend going to Loma Linda University Hospital. That is where the nations leading venomologist resides at. Carry a small calibur gun with snake shot. As unlike the other rattlers. The Mojave Green is also an agressive snake and is known for chasing people or animals. Also do a search on the web for the above mentioned snakes and learn how to identify them. Although simular in apearance. The Mojave Green can be identified by the patern. Near its head you will see the familure diamond pattern. However as you move farther down towards the tail. You will see that the "diamond" pattern will start looking like a "band" pattern. If you look up the pictures on the net you will see what I am talking about. I dont make it a habit to kill snakes just because they are venomous. But if it is appropriate then I will. Enjoy your hikes and be safe. Also d/l some mp3's of rattler sounds so you will know them immediatly. Hollywood rattles are no comparison.
Posted: Apr 12, 2008 Dave

What is your opinion on the use of the Sawyer Extractor for removal of snakebite venom? I've neveer used one for a real snakebite, but I've seen some demonstrations (die injected in chicken breasts, for example) that look promising.
Posted: Apr 10, 2008 Steve Clothier