First Aid - Simple, Fast, Effective by David Ashton - HTML preview

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Bites and Stings: Snake Bite

Remember To Send for Help – Call an Ambulance

General Symptoms of Snake Bite

Nausea
Vomiting
Headache
Abdominal pain
Diarrhoea
Profuse sweating

More Severe Symptoms of Envenomation

Muscular pain / weakness
Drooping of eyelids and drooling (early signs)
Altered mental status
Difficulty breathing
Bleeding from nose and gums
Seizures
Paralysis
Renal impairment / Failure

Treatment

Keep the patient still, do not let them walk
DO NOT WASH THE BITE SITE
Cover the bite site with a dressing
If the bite is on a limb, apply a wide crepe or elasticised bandage and start just above the fingers or toes.
Firmly wrap as far as you can up the limb including the bite.
Mark the bandage with an X above the bite site
Further immobilise the limb by applying splints
Write down the time of the bite and when the bandage was applied
Manage for shock if needed

Note

Check blood supply below the bandage. If the limb is very pale or numb loosen the bandage a little