Re: Snakes
Posted by LeRoy on April 18, 2004 at 17:16:13:
In Reply to: Snakes posted by RoamnRandy on April 18, 2004 at 00:29:31:
IT’S RATTLESNAKE SEASON AGAIN
Rattlers venture near homes to find shade, water. and food (mainly mice). To discourage them, clear brush from around your house, and close up snake-friendly holes in walls, foundations, and under steps.
While out walking, take these precautions:
• Step on logs, never over them.
• Lift stones by using a stick, not by placing hands or fingers under them.
• In brushy areas, stay on the trail or in clearings.
• If you hear a rattle, don’t move until you know where the sound is coming from, then give the snake a wide berth.
IF YOU OR A FRIEND ARE BITTEN
HERE’S WHAT NOT TO DO:
• Don’t drive yourself to the hospital, unless absolutely necessary.
• Don’t make an X-shaped incision and attempt to suck the venom out.
• Don’t pack the wound with ice.
• Don’t apply a tourniquet.
• Don’t elevate the bitten area above the heart.
HERE’S WHAT TO DO:
• Call someone for a ride to the hospital or call 911 and request an ambulance. Only drive yourself if absolutely necessary. The quicker you get medical treatment, the quicker you’ll recover.
• If you get a local ride, immediately call 911 and explain your situation. Have them notify the hospital so they can have the antivenin ready. If a friend drives you to the hospital, drive with headlights and emergency flashers on and do not drive at a reckless speed.
• While waiting for transportation, check to see if the snake injected venom. About 20% of bites are venomless; that is, the rattler did not inject poison.
Venom causes the following symptoms:
• Burning pain near the wound
• Rapid swelling of the affected area
• Tingling and a metallic taste in the mouth
• Muscle twitching
• General weakness
• Keep victim calm and stationary.
• Keep the bite below the heart.
• Remove jewelry, shoes, or anything that could constrict the limb as it swells.
• Keep the victim warm and comfortable.
• If more than 30 minutes from the hospital:
• Apply a Sawyer Extractor Pump to the wound, no incision needed (about $12 at sporting goods stores,).
• Some experts believe in putting a constricting band (like an Ace bandage) 1-5 inches above the wound (between the wound and the heart). Tighten just enough to occlude the lymphatic flow. The band must be loose enough to put a finger under it. Others experts believe a constricting band does no good.
Once at a medical facility, most patients are released within 48 hours.
The most important thing is to keep circulation normal to below normal by keeping the patient calm. Cool compresses on the forehead, or around the wound might help. (The above guidelines came, in part, from Sunset Magazine, May, 1994. p. 40 and ICEMA, EMT Standard Practice guidedline 5217.)