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He didn’t know what to do. He didn’t know if the snake was poisonous. Bob began to panic. What next? Is Bob going to live? We will find out later but first lets learn more about the Snake bites are wounds inflicted by the mouth of a snake. A wound from a snake with short teeth and no fangs may look like a series of scratches or tiny punctures. The twin puncture wounds usually associated with snakebites appear when the paired fangs of a fanged snake break through the skin.(Encarta 99) Snakebites from nonpoisonous snakes are not serious but should be cleansed with an antiseptic to prevent infection. The bite of a poisonous snake, which can inject venom into the body, may cause a burning pain usually spreads rapidly from the place where you have been bitten. Swelling and color changes in the skin follow soon after. A person may feel feverish, thirsty, and sick at their stomach. They may even vomit.(Diseases-Encyclopedia) Bites by coral snakes produce somewhat different symptoms, including numbness, vision problems, and difficulty The victim of a snakebite should seek first aid promptly. An attempt should be made to identify the snake if it can be done safely. First aid measures should focus on keeping the victim quiet so that the heart rate remains normal, thereby slowing the spread of venom in the bloodstream. The area of the bite should be kept below the level of the heart. The victim should seek medical attention immediately. Depending upon the victim’s symptoms and the species of the snake, the physician may administer antivenin, a preparation that helps to neutralize the venom and minimize its The venom of poisonous snakes is produced and stored in specialized glands within the snake’s head. In the United States, there are four types of poisonous snakes: coral snakes, rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouths, or water moccasins. With the exception of coral snakes, all these snakes are pit Responsible for most snake attacks on human beings, pit vipers have the most efficient fangs for injecting venom. Their fangs are hollow, curved, and so long that they fold back into the mouth when not in use. Their venom mostly affects the circulatory system, but it also causes disruption of normal nervous system Coral snakes have short, fixed fangs in the front of the mouth and they hang onto and chew their victims. Unlike vipers, coral snakes bite only when they are being handled or are accidentally touched or stepped on. Their venom primarily affects the nervous When walking in areas where poisonous snakes are present, individuals should wear high boots and thick loose pants, and should remain alert in order to avoid close encounters with these reptiles. Individuals should also be able to distinguish between poisonous and People who frequent these wilderness spots, as well as those who camp, hike, picnic, or live in snake-inhabited areas, should be aware of potential dangers posed by venomous snakes. Every state but Maine, Alaska and Hawaii is home to at least one of 20 domestic poisonous snake species. A bite from one of these, in which the snake may inject varying degrees of toxic venom, should always be considered a medical says the American Red Cross.(For Goodness Snakes) About 8,000 people a year receive venomous bites in the United States nine to 15 victims die. Some experts say that because victims can't always positively identify a snake, they should seek prompt care for any bite, though they may think the snake is nonpoisonous. Even a bite from a so-called "harmless" snake can cause an infection or allergic reaction in Two families of venomous snakes are native to the United States. The vast majority are pit vipers, of the family Crotalidae, which include rattlesnakes, copperheads and cottonmouths (water moccasins). Pit vipers get their common name from a small "pit" between the eye and nostril that allows snake to sense prey at night. They deliver venom through two fangs the snake can retract at rest but can spring into biting position rapidly. About 99 percent of the venomous bites in this country are from pit vipers. Some--Mojave rattlesnakes or canebrake rattlesnakes, for example--carry a neurotoxic venom that can affect the brain or spinal cord. Copperheads, on the other hand, have milder and less dangerous venom that sometimes not require antivenin treatment.(For Goodness Snakes) The other family of domestic poisonous snakes is Elapidae, which two species of coral snakes found mainly in the Southern states. Related to the much more dangerous Asian cobras and kraits, coral snakes have mouths and short teeth, which give them a less efficient venom delivery than pit vipers. People bitten by coral snakes lack the characteristic fang marks of pit vipers, sometimes making the bite hard to detect. Though coral snakebites are rare in the United States--only about 25 a year by some estimates--the snake's neurotoxic venom can be dangerous. A 1987 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association examined 39 victims of coral snakebites. There were no deaths, but several victims experienced respiratory paralysis, one of the hazards of neurotoxic venom. Some nonpoisonous snakes, such as the scarlet king snake, mimic the bright red, yellow and black coloration of the coral snake. This potential for confusion underscores the importance of seeking care for any snakebite (unless positive identification of a nonpoisonous snake can be made). The bites of both pit vipers and coral snakes can be effectively treated with antivenin. But other factors, such as time elapsed since being bitten and care taken before arriving at the hospital, also are critical.(For Goodness Snakes) Medical professionals sometimes disagree about the best way to manage poisonous snakebites. Some physicians hold off on immediate treatment, opting for observation of the patient to gauge a bite's seriousness. Procedures such as fasciotomy, a surgical treatment of tissue around the bite, have some supporters. But most often, doctors turn to the antidote to snake venom--antivenin--as a reliable treatment for serious snakebites.(For Antivenin is derived from antibodies created in a horse's blood serum when the animal is injected with snake venom. In humans, antivenin is administered either through the veins or injected into muscle and works by neutralizing snake venom that has entered the body. Because antivenin is obtained from horses, snakebite victims sensitive to horse products must carefully managed. The danger is that they could develop an adverse reaction or even a potentially fatal allergic condition called anaphylactic shock. The Food and Drug Administration regulates antivenins as part of its oversight of biological products. The agency requires certain criteria to be met before these materials are sold, including standards for purification, packaging and potency. FDA also regulates antivenin labeling, ensuring data on potential side effects and other pertinent information are available. The agency also periodically inspects antivenin production facilities to ensure compliance with regulations.(For Goodness Snakes) Many snakebites are caused by nonvenomous (nonpoisonous) snakes do not require treatment beyond cleaning the wound. Bites inflicted by venomous snakes require immediate first-aid measures. The victim should be taken as soon as possible to the nearest emergency medical facility. In the interim, the first-aid provider should not cut the area around the bite, attempt to suck out the venom, or apply ice to the wound. The focus of first aid should be to prevent the venom from spreading rapidly through the individual’s bloodstream. The victim should be kept quiet to avoid stimulating circulation of the venom. In addition, the bite area should be at a lower level than the rest of the body. The wound should be washed thoroughly with soap and water, blotted dry, and loosely covered with a 1. Allow bite to bleed freely for 15-30 sec. 2. Cleanse and rapidly disinfect area with Betadine, assuming you're not allergic to iodine or shellfish, pad. 3. If bite on hand, finger, foot or toe, wrap leg/arm rapidly with 3" to 6" bandage past the knee or elbow joint immobilizing it. Leave area of fang marks open. Apply extractor immediately as well. Wrap no tighter than one would for a sprain. Make sure pulses are present. 4. Apply extractor until there is no more drainage from fang marks. Extractor can be left in place 30 min or more if necessary. It also aids in keeping the venom from spreading by applying a negative pressure against the tissue where the venom was initially deposited and creates a gradient which favors the movement of venom toward the external collection cup. 5. If extractor not available: Apply hard direct pressure over bite using a 4 x 4 gauze pad folded in half twice. Tape in place with adhesive tape. 6. Soak gauze pad in Betadine solution if available and not allergic to iodine’s 7. Strap gauze pad tightly in place with adhesive tape 8. Overwrap dressing above and below bite area with bandage, but not too tight. No tighter than you would use for a sprain. Make sure pulses are 9. Wrap elastic bandage as tight as one would for a sprain. Not too tight. 10. Check for pulses above and below elastic wrap; if absent it is too tight. 11. Immobilize bitten extremity, use splinting if available. 12. If possible, try and keep bitten extremity at heart level or in a gravity-neutral position. Raising it above heart level can cause venom to travel into the body. Holding it down, below heart level can increase swelling. 13. Go to nearest hospital or medical facility as soon as possible Try and identify, kill and bring ( ONLY if safe to do so) offending snake. This is the least important thing you should do. Visual identification/description usually 15. Bites to face, torso or buttocks are more of a problem. Disinfect. Prep (shave hair) area with razor provided in extractor kit. Use extractor device there is no further drainage possible and then apply pressure dressing with gauze pad and tape. ACE/crepe bandaging can not be applied to such bites. A pressure dressing made of a gauze pad may help if an extractor is not 16. Antivenom is the only and best treatment for snakebite and you must get as much as is necessary as soon as possible. Antivenom administration should not be delayed. Up to 20 vials may be needed to neutralize the effects of rattlesnake and other crotalid venoms in North America. Children may more than this as envenomation is apt to be much more serious in a small person compared to a larger one.(The Snakebite Emergency Webpage) 1. Do not eat or drink anything unless okayed by medical sources 2. Do not engage in strenuous physical activity 3. Do not apply oral (mouth) suction to bite 4. Do not cut into or incise bite marks with a blade 5.Do not drink any alcohol or use any medication 6. Do not apply either hot or cold packs 7. Do not apply a narrow, constrictive tourniquet such as a belt, necktie or 8. Do not use a stun gun or electric shock of any kind. 9. Do not remove dressings/elastic wraps until arrival at hospital and 10. Do not waste time or take any risks trying to kill, bag or bring in offending snake.(The Snakebite Emergency Webpage) 1. Never hike, camp, work or collect specimens in areas where there are venomous snakes unless accompanied by at least two companions. One to stay with the victim and the other to go get help. 2. If you come across any snake in the field and don't know positively what is or isn't, do not approach it, try and examine it or photograph it (unless have a long telephoto or zoom lens). Move away from it as expediently as 3.If you work with venomous snakes in a public (zoo/exhibit) or private collection or in a museum or university laboratory, never open their cage without a companion nearby who is familiar with snakebite first-aid. 4. A telephone with an outside line should always be located in the room or area where venomous snakes are located in case there is a need to call for 5.Never handle or attempt to handle venomous snakes without at least one 6. If you are not an experienced venomous snake handler, don't try or catching them without first obtaining extensive experience and training 7. If you maintain a private or laboratory collection of live venomous species, keep all cages under lock and key; rooms where such cages are located should have a double door and vestibule, be completely visible through glass paneling from the outside and be off-limits to all but authorized personnel. If a snake appears missing from a cage you may be able to locate it before entering the room in preparation of re-securing it. Such rooms should be completely sealed. No open or screened windows and no "mouse-holes" or pipe holes through which a snake can escape. Sink drains should be also be capped and toilets, if present, always kept 8. Finally if you deal with venomous snakes always make sure you have or know where to locate a supply of specific antivenom for the species you are involved with.(Snakebite Emergency Webpage) Unfortunately Bob didn’t know any of this first aid information. He passed out in the woods and had no way to get help. He died About three hours after being bitten by a large rattle snake. I hope you have read this information thoroughly, you may encounter a snake the next time you leave the house will you know what to do. Bibliography: Word Count: 2399
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