Snakebites
Only four snake species in the United
States are venomous: rattlesnakes
(which account for about 65% of
venomous snakebites and nearly all the
snakebite dead in the United States),
copperheads, water moccasins ,known as
cottonmouths), and coral snakes
The first three are pit vipers. The
coral snake is small and colorful,
with a black snout and a series of
bright red, yellow, and black bands
around its body (every 01 band is
yellow).
Pit Viper Bites
What to Look For
. severe burning pain at the bite site
. two small puncture wounds about 1/2
inch apart (some cases may have only
one fang mark)
. swelling (happens within five
minutes and can
involve an entire extremity)
. discoloration and blood-filled
blisters possibly
developing in 6 to 10 hours
Immediatly use The
Venom extractor
It does not require cutting the skin.
5. Seek medical attention immediately.
This is the most
important thing to do for the victim.
Copperhead bite
two hours after bite
severe cases, nausea, vomiting,
sweating, and :akness
25% of poisonous snakebites, there is
no venom n, only fang and tooth wounds
(known as a "dry")
what to Do
Copperhead bite the type of pit viper
is of minimal imporecause the same
antivenin is used in all cases in
nenca.
Wilderness Medical Society lists the
following for dealing with bites by
pit vipers:
Get the victim and bystanders away
from the snake. Snakes have been known
to bite more than once
1. Pit vipers can strike as far away
as one half of their
body length. Be careful around a:
decapitated snake head-head reactions
can persist for 20 minutes or more.
2. Keep the victim quiet. If possible,
carry the victim
or have the victim walk very slowly to
help.
3. Gently wash the bitten area with
soap and water.
4. If you are more than 1 hour from a
medical facility
with antivenin or if the snake was
large and the victim's skin is
swelling rapidly, immediately apply
suction with the Sawyer ExtractorTM
It does not require cutting the skin.
5. Seek medical attention immediately.
This is the most
important thing to do for the victim.
The coral snake
is America's most venomous snake, but
it rarely bites people. The
coral snake has short fangs and tends
to hang on and "chew" its venom into
the victim rather than to strike and
release, like a pit viper.
What to Do
1. Keep the victim calm.
2. Gently clean the bite site with
soap and water.
3.Seek medical attention immediately.
This is the most
important thing to do for the victim.
4. Apply mild pressure by wrapping an
elastic bandage (eg, Ace TM bandage)
over the bite site and the entire arm
or leg. You should apply pressure only
if the
bite is from a coral snake, not any of
the pit vipers. Do not cut the
victim's skin or use a Sawyer
ExtractorTM.
5. Seek medical attention for
antivenin
Nonpoisonous
Snakebites
A nonpoisonous snake leaves a
horseshoe shape of
toothmarks on the victim's skin. If
you are not positive about a snake,
assume it was venomous. Some so-called
nonpoisonous North American snakes
such as hognose and garter snakes have
venom that can cause painful local
reactions but no systemic (whole-body)
symptoms.
What to Do
1. Gently clean the bite site with
soap and water. 2.
Care for the bite as you would a minor
wound. 3.
Seek medical advice.
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