s) snakesand 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 bekept 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 sterile dressing.(Encarta99)First Aid Things to Do.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 tig...
