Art of Manliness: The Art of Manliness Guide To Snakes Part 2: How To Avoid & Treat A Snakebite
Raconteur
· 1 year ago
Now I know. And learning is half the battle!
Mat Goebel
· 1 year ago
As an EMT, here is my take on the use of bandages near the bite site.
The point of constricting bandages are NOT to limit the circulation of blood to the bite site - It's to control the circulation of lymph. In fact, many EMS systems do not recommend the use of constricting bandages.
*If you're trying to help someone that has been bitten by a snake, your first concern is to make sure that YOU as a rescuer stay safe. Do not become the snake's next victim. Also protect yourself by wearing latex or nitrile gloves. *Identify the snake so that proper definitive care can be provided. *Keep the patient calm. *Clean the bite site with soap and water. *Remove any jewelery on the bitten extremity. As the limb swells it may impair circulation. *Keep the bitten extremity immobilised. A splint can be helpful. *Keep the limb at or below the level of the heart. *Constricting bandages are generally avoided. However if you are instructed by a physician or other medical authority to use them, use one above the bite (between the bite and the heart) or two (above and below). Constricting bands should be between 3/4 and 1-1/2 inch wide secured snugly, but not tight enough to impair circulation. You should still be able to feel a pulse at the wrist or ankle. The bands may become too tight as the limb swells and need loosening.
Just my $.02.....
Kyle
· 1 year ago
Useful survival skills. Thanks for the info, both Brett and Mat.
Scott
· 1 year ago
As a Herpetologist (snake nerd) I'm happy to say FINALLY someone in a non-scientific blog is highlighting the CORRECT way to treat a snakebite. You would not believe the number of people still promoting the "cut n' suck" treatment method. The $1.99 "snakebite kit" at Wal-Mart still does... One thing to add on to Mat's fantastic advice is ask the Dr. to do a skin scrape test before administering the antivenin. The Wyeth (horse) antivenin is notorious for causing allergic reactions in patients that can be more deadly than the snakebite, however with the introduction of CroFab, which uses Sheep instead of Horse antibodies, the reaction rate is MUCH lower, but since both antivenins are still widely used, and both carry risk of allergic reaction, getting a skin scrape is still a good idea!
And, speaking from a common sense point and not an activist point, remember that in North America MOST snakebites come from someone trying to capture or kill the snake. The demographics for most of those snakebites are Males aged 17-26...an age when they're trying to be "manly," no doubt! Speaking from personal experience and research, 99.9% of the time if you leave the snake alone, it'll leave you alone. If you must take other measures (children, pets, etc in danger), please be careful!
Love the blog!!!!!
martinjester
· 1 year ago
My little brother was bitten by a rattlesnake last year. Two very important things I learned from the experience:
1. Don't bother using a snake bite kit if the hospital is within an hour or so, just get to the hospital as fast as possible.
2. Call ahead so that they can start mixing the anti-venom before you arrive. (also, anti venom is insanely expensive ($28,000 per treatment, and often multiple treatments are necessary), so if you don't have insurance think twice before doing outdoor activities where snakebite is a possibility).
Brett
· 1 year ago
Thanks for the extra tips and information guys. Great stuff.
Tyler @ Building Camelot
· 1 year ago
I guess snake chaps are out of question for the guy in the first picture...ouch! Nice information since this is something that most guys learn in scouts and forget about working in the cubicle world. Another great reason to keep reading! Thanks
Stew
· 1 year ago
What do you do if your a 2-3 hour hike from your car and an hour from medical help? In order to keep the person still, do you leave them where they were bitten? Or should they try to walk out with your help?
Dave
· 1 year ago
To be honest, your cell phone should be your first line of defense if bitten by an venomous snake. Call 911 and seek medical attn: ASAP. Pit viper venom eats away at tissue. The faster you get to a hospital with antivenom, the better your mobility recovery chances will be. Antivenom won't reverse damage that's already been done. Another poster is right on about CroFab. It's made from sheep and has been shown to cause much less allergies than the horse serum. Also, CroFab does NOT require skin testing (My bro is a Emergency MD in the South and uses this stuff a lot!). He says that suction devices can make things worse. You don't need to identify the sanke that bit you because most MDs in snake country know what the symptoms are. If bitten in a remote area, imobilize the affected area and walk slowly to the nearest area where you can call 911 or reach medical attention.
8rustystaples
· 1 year ago
Stew:
The steps listed are first aid only. The priority in any venomous snakebite situation is to get the victim (whether it's you or someone else) to the hospital for proper treatment AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. If you're three hours from a hospital, by all means, get there in three hours. First aid can be given as you're traveling. If you're minutes away from a hospital, you can skip the first aid as it will only slow you down. The constriction band is useful in those situations when the victim is far from emergency care. And, as stated, it is not a tourniquet. Venom, if completely isolated by a tourniquet can have devastating effects on and around the bite site, as can ice or cryotherapy. On another note, in the event of an elapid bite (coral snakes are the only elapids in the U.S.) or a Mojave rattlesnake whose main venom components are neurotoxins, a crepe bandage covering the entire bitten limb is an effective first aid device to slow the venom dispersion. Again, it shouldn't be so tight as to completely cut off blood flow. As for allergic reactions to antivenins, it's very common, and any doctor worth the paper his degree is printed on know this, and will have epinephrine on hand to be ready to counter any signs of anaphylaxis. A possible allergic reaction is no reason not to administer antivenin if it's needed.
Mike
· 1 year ago
This is terrific advice, and useful since I'm outdoors a lot. I always learn something interesting on your site. Thanks, keep up the great work.
Israel
· 1 year ago
My advice: Bite the snake right back! Like that dude does on Man vs. Wild.
pg
· 1 year ago
very cool, very creepy, very scary, but very cool place in wilmington NC
sh
· 1 year ago
Interesting that you say to "Clean the bite site with soap and water" - this is the opposite of the recommendation given in Australia, where we're explicitly told in 1st aid courses *not to wash the surface*, as it makes it easier to rapidly get a sample of the venom and hence identify the snake.
Also interesting that your original article didn't mention any Australian snakes, only American, Indian, African ones. Depending on who you believe, 7, 9, or 10 out of the 10 most deadly snakes in the world are Australian. For example http://greensnake9.tripod.com/id23.html.
And then there's the drop-bears...
ck
· 1 year ago
Ever heard that the best offense is a good defense? I'm from Northern California, and as an avid wilderness backpacker, I can't count how many time the person leading the group has walked right past a rattlesnake coiled up on the side of the trail. PAY ATTENTION to your surroundings and you'll avoid the situation entirely.
Alessandro
· 1 year ago
Cool series.
impactednurse
· 1 year ago
As an emergency department nurse living in the country that is home to 19 of the worlds top venomous snakes let me give you the good oil on what to do: * As soon as possible identify the area bitten. * Immobilize the victim. * Cut clothing around the bite site rather than removing it, as increased activity only forces more venom into the bloodstream. If possible mark around the bite site with a pen. * Do NOT wash or clean the site. Venom is not absorbed through the skin and any residue may be useful in venom identification. In Australia we have snakebite detection kits that quickly identify the type of venom so the correct antivenom can be administered. * Apply a broad pressure bandage. You need to bandage upwards from the lower portion of the bitten limb. Include fingers or toes in the bandage. Make it as firm as you would for a sprained ankle and extend it the entire length of the affected limb. Immobilize the limb (use a splint if possible) and then immobilize the patient. (Bring transport to the patient rather than trying to get them to transport.) Bandages should NOT be removed or loosened until the patient has reached hospital and resuscitation and monitoring equipment is available. * Do NOT apply a tourniquet. * And do NOT attempt to capture or kill the snake and bring it into the ED and drop it in the face of the Triage nurse. You only increase the risk of getting yourself envenomated by the snake or beaten by the nurse. Probably both.
You know what always pisses me off? Snake-bite treatment articles that remind us upteen-dozen times that we need to get to a hospital, but take some of the most minimalistic, emergency treatments, and reduce them to "DON'TS" bullet points. Seriously, you're even too lazy to list any of "cutting" reasons besides "increase(s) the chances of causing an infection in the area.". Oh my! Parish the thought of contracting a fever or bacterial necrosis! Such a horrid notion nearly caused me to forget there's POISON, racing torwards my FREAKING HEART!
Stop being pansies and feverishly denying the possibility of cutting being the only measure. Take http://www.wf.net/~snake/firsdisc.htm for instance. It might be a bit tl;dr and last updated in 1997, but at least it tells you how to do it properly after saying you shouldnt.
Man up and take responsibility.
Brett
· 1 year ago
@ Chojiro- I don't undestand the hostility. You could have made your suggestion to visit the site without the snarkiness. You only succeeded in making yourself look like a twit. Congratulations.
Chojiro
· 1 year ago
Ah, insults. A true art adored by those without anything more constructive to say.
In before hypocrisy.
Supernetuser
· 1 year ago
This article marks the last time I will ever hike in tall grass or off trail. The importance of staying on the trail is something the article didn't get into but getting off the trail increases your chances of running into snakes.
dha
· 1 year ago
Why didn't you include anything about Australian snakes? We have some worlds most venomous snakes but you didn't include any information about them.
Brett
· 1 year ago
Sorry dha-Well, first we started by only doing North American snakes. But then we didn't want to leave our international readers out, so we threw in a handful from around the world. But we obviously couldn't include all poisonous snakes, as the list would have been enormous. So it wasn't a purposeful omission, the list just got too long before we got to your continent.
I get a good laugh out of the (top) picture for this article every time I see it.
Gordon
· 1 year ago
I live in Africa and have seen many Black Mambas, but there are many different types of venomous snake here and as a rule if some one is bitten we kill the snake this can be done very safely with a shot gun but in an emergency by other means (sticks, stones or whatever comes to hand). The reason we do this is so that the snake can be identified as the anti-venom must match the snake. Some species can be easily Identified like the Puff Adders and Black Mambas but unless you are herpetologist (snake nerd) you'd have a tough time and some ones life could depend upon you being 100%. Just off the top of my head there are at least 5 different kinds of cobra here and I wouldnt know one from another. Its best that the killing is done by someone else i.e. not the guy who got bitten as the bite victim must not exert themselves as this incresses heart rate make the venom work faster. Killing the snake allows it to be correctly identified at a later stage by snkake boffins so that the right anti-venom can be administered because the medical people will usually not give antivenom if they are not 100% sure what snake is the culprit. The reason for this is that the ani-venom is toxic and will not work if its the wrong one but will also make the victim a lot sicker. So by endangering yourself and killing the snake you can be saving your mates life and theres nothing more manly then that.
I would aslo like to add that there isnt enough info about other snake species in part one. Its the guys from Oz that i dont envy they have the top six most poisonous snakes in the world, but none of them can compete with the mamba for shear agression/toxicity/speed combo. Ive heard of them killing entire herds of cattle in one sitting. I seen them move and really you would have trouble out running one in the bush with a top speed of 20kmh/12mph. Fortunately if someone was bitten by one and you are in the middle of nowhere you can pretty much garentee that they will die, so in this case mambas are easy to identify (for me) and i wouldnt mess with the snake as there would be no point and the victim is gonna die anyway
Barry
· 1 year ago
Based on lots of outdoors experience in North America, I'll add or reinforce these points (may not apply in Oz or Africa):
Most snake bites happen when people are trying to catch, handle or harass snakes, so if you use common sense and stay clear of those few you encounter, it will be unlikely that you will ever be bitten. Don't act like Steve Erwin. Snakes tend to move away from people if they have the option.
Remember that most snakes are non-poisonous and many strikes from venomous snakes fail to deliver venom. Just because you have encountered a snake is no reason to panic.
Simply wearing boots such as ordinary hiking boots as well as long pants will give you considerable protection against snakebite. Most boots provide total protection for the part of your body that is within about 6-8 inches of the ground and this is the area most likely to be struck. And while ordinary pants can be penetrated, the snake may well end up biting only fabric without getting any skin. If it does get skin, the penetration will be less.
The advice to stay on the trail is excellent. Not only will it tend to keep you away from snakes and other potentially dangerous animals such as bears, but it will also reduce your risk of coming into contact with poison ivy and parasites like ticks or chiggers. It is also much easier to keep from getting lost.
When boating on a river, be aware that snakes will sometimes sunbathe by hanging in low branches that overhang the water. If you let your boat get carried under these branches, you might find yourself face to face with a snake. A little panic on both sides can result in the branch being disturbed and the snake falling into your boat, which can get dangerous since the snake may feel cornered. Stay clear of overhanging branches and if you find yourself passing under a snake, just stay calm and motionless until you drift clear. The snake wants nothing to do with you.
Basically, don't worry about snakes in the wilderness. But do remember to prepare yourself for more likely hazards by carrying a map, compass, flashlight, whistle, matches, knife, etc. even on short day hikes. A good prepackaged survival kit can be found here: http://www.rei.com/product/708135
As a fellow who has spent alot of time in the woods (logger), I add one more item for avoiding snakebites: When crossing a log or fallen tree, also step on top and look over the other side (also look on the front side as well). Snakes will often hide under a fallen tree to ambush animals that cross over. They will do this on trails. Your foot could either look like a an animal or startle the snake and make it think it is under attack.
Secondly, if you really take your time on a hike and notice your surroundings, you will probably discover that you pass 10 snakes for every 1 that you would normally notice.
Snakes are not out to get you. They must conserve energy to survive like any other animal. They don't accomplish that task by attacking a creature several times their size.
All Comments
The point of constricting bandages are NOT to limit the circulation of blood to the bite site - It's to control the circulation of lymph. In fact, many EMS systems do not recommend the use of constricting bandages.
*If you're trying to help someone that has been bitten by a snake, your first concern is to make sure that YOU as a rescuer stay safe. Do not become the snake's next victim. Also protect yourself by wearing latex or nitrile gloves.
*Identify the snake so that proper definitive care can be provided.
*Keep the patient calm.
*Clean the bite site with soap and water.
*Remove any jewelery on the bitten extremity. As the limb swells it may impair circulation.
*Keep the bitten extremity immobilised. A splint can be helpful.
*Keep the limb at or below the level of the heart.
*Constricting bandages are generally avoided. However if you are instructed by a physician or other medical authority to use them, use one above the bite (between the bite and the heart) or two (above and below). Constricting bands should be between 3/4 and 1-1/2 inch wide secured snugly, but not tight enough to impair circulation. You should still be able to feel a pulse at the wrist or ankle. The bands may become too tight as the limb swells and need loosening.
Just my $.02.....
And, speaking from a common sense point and not an activist point, remember that in North America MOST snakebites come from someone trying to capture or kill the snake. The demographics for most of those snakebites are Males aged 17-26...an age when they're trying to be "manly," no doubt! Speaking from personal experience and research, 99.9% of the time if you leave the snake alone, it'll leave you alone. If you must take other measures (children, pets, etc in danger), please be careful!
Love the blog!!!!!
1. Don't bother using a snake bite kit if the hospital is within an hour or so, just get to the hospital as fast as possible.
2. Call ahead so that they can start mixing the anti-venom before you arrive. (also, anti venom is insanely expensive ($28,000 per treatment, and often multiple treatments are necessary), so if you don't have insurance think twice before doing outdoor activities where snakebite is a possibility).
You don't need to identify the sanke that bit you because most MDs in snake country know what the symptoms are. If bitten in a remote area, imobilize the affected area and walk slowly to the nearest area where you can call 911 or reach medical attention.
The steps listed are first aid only. The priority in any venomous snakebite situation is to get the victim (whether it's you or someone else) to the hospital for proper treatment AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. If you're three hours from a hospital, by all means, get there in three hours. First aid can be given as you're traveling. If you're minutes away from a hospital, you can skip the first aid as it will only slow you down.
The constriction band is useful in those situations when the victim is far from emergency care. And, as stated, it is not a tourniquet. Venom, if completely isolated by a tourniquet can have devastating effects on and around the bite site, as can ice or cryotherapy.
On another note, in the event of an elapid bite (coral snakes are the only elapids in the U.S.) or a Mojave rattlesnake whose main venom components are neurotoxins, a crepe bandage covering the entire bitten limb is an effective first aid device to slow the venom dispersion. Again, it shouldn't be so tight as to completely cut off blood flow.
As for allergic reactions to antivenins, it's very common, and any doctor worth the paper his degree is printed on know this, and will have epinephrine on hand to be ready to counter any signs of anaphylaxis. A possible allergic reaction is no reason not to administer antivenin if it's needed.
Also interesting that your original article didn't mention any Australian snakes, only American, Indian, African ones. Depending on who you believe, 7, 9, or 10 out of the 10 most deadly snakes in the world are Australian. For example http://greensnake9.tripod.com/id23.html.
And then there's the drop-bears...
* As soon as possible identify the area bitten.
* Immobilize the victim.
* Cut clothing around the bite site rather than removing it, as increased activity only forces more venom into the bloodstream. If possible mark around the bite site with a pen.
* Do NOT wash or clean the site. Venom is not absorbed through the skin and any residue may be useful in venom identification. In Australia we have snakebite detection kits that quickly identify the type of venom so the correct antivenom can be administered.
* Apply a broad pressure bandage. You need to bandage upwards from the lower portion of the bitten limb. Include fingers or toes in the bandage. Make it as firm as you would for a sprained ankle and extend it the entire length of the affected limb.
Immobilize the limb (use a splint if possible) and then immobilize the patient. (Bring transport to the patient rather than trying to get them to transport.)
Bandages should NOT be removed or loosened until the patient has reached hospital and resuscitation and monitoring equipment is available.
* Do NOT apply a tourniquet.
* And do NOT attempt to capture or kill the snake and bring it into the ED and drop it in the face of the Triage nurse. You only increase the risk of getting yourself envenomated by the snake or beaten by the nurse. Probably both.
You can read the full advice here: http://www.impactednurse.com/?p=267
Stay safe people.
Stop being pansies and feverishly denying the possibility of cutting being the only measure. Take http://www.wf.net/~snake/firsdisc.htm for instance. It might be a bit tl;dr and last updated in 1997, but at least it tells you how to do it properly after saying you shouldnt.
Man up and take responsibility.
In before hypocrisy.
I would aslo like to add that there isnt enough info about other snake species in part one. Its the guys from Oz that i dont envy they have the top six most poisonous snakes in the world, but none of them can compete with the mamba for shear agression/toxicity/speed combo. Ive heard of them killing entire herds of cattle in one sitting. I seen them move and really you would have trouble out running one in the bush with a top speed of 20kmh/12mph. Fortunately if someone was bitten by one and you are in the middle of nowhere you can pretty much garentee that they will die, so in this case mambas are easy to identify (for me) and i wouldnt mess with the snake as there would be no point and the victim is gonna die anyway
Most snake bites happen when people are trying to catch, handle or harass snakes, so if you use common sense and stay clear of those few you encounter, it will be unlikely that you will ever be bitten. Don't act like Steve Erwin. Snakes tend to move away from people if they have the option.
Remember that most snakes are non-poisonous and many strikes from venomous snakes fail to deliver venom. Just because you have encountered a snake is no reason to panic.
Simply wearing boots such as ordinary hiking boots as well as long pants will give you considerable protection against snakebite. Most boots provide total protection for the part of your body that is within about 6-8 inches of the ground and this is the area most likely to be struck. And while ordinary pants can be penetrated, the snake may well end up biting only fabric without getting any skin. If it does get skin, the penetration will be less.
The advice to stay on the trail is excellent. Not only will it tend to keep you away from snakes and other potentially dangerous animals such as bears, but it will also reduce your risk of coming into contact with poison ivy and parasites like ticks or chiggers. It is also much easier to keep from getting lost.
When boating on a river, be aware that snakes will sometimes sunbathe by hanging in low branches that overhang the water. If you let your boat get carried under these branches, you might find yourself face to face with a snake. A little panic on both sides can result in the branch being disturbed and the snake falling into your boat, which can get dangerous since the snake may feel cornered. Stay clear of overhanging branches and if you find yourself passing under a snake, just stay calm and motionless until you drift clear. The snake wants nothing to do with you.
Basically, don't worry about snakes in the wilderness. But do remember to prepare yourself for more likely hazards by carrying a map, compass, flashlight, whistle, matches, knife, etc. even on short day hikes. A good prepackaged survival kit can be found here: http://www.rei.com/product/708135
Secondly, if you really take your time on a hike and notice your surroundings, you will probably discover that you pass 10 snakes for every 1 that you would normally notice.
Snakes are not out to get you. They must conserve energy to survive like any other animal. They don't accomplish that task by attacking a creature several times their size.