FIRST-AID & MANAGEMENT OF SNAKE-BITES.

Any suspected snake bite must be treated with immediate First Aid, (pressure bandage and immobilization technique)and transported to hospital - urgently!

1. Check that the snake is no longer around threatening the safety of all concerned, do not try to catch or kill a snake!

Keep the victim quiet and reassure them, get them to lay down. If possible call for assistance. Use a mobile phone and call emergency (000 landline and mobile phone, alternatively 112 for mobile phone).

If possible remove any jewellery (watch) and clothing (Cut off) from bitten limb.

2. Apply a wide (< 100mm/4inch >) elastic crepe bandage over the bite site then continue this bandage evenly over the entire limb to the armpit or groin (It should be as tight as one would bandage a freshly sprained wrist or ankle) then any left-over bandage should be continued down the limb. A 2nd, 3rd; and possibly 4th bandage should be applied over the first (pending whether bite is on arm or leg) starting over the fingers or toes.

3. Immobilize the bitten limb with a splint, stick, or rolled up newspaper or cardboard, bandaged or tied to the limb, or use a St. John's sling or air splint applied to limb. All joints of bitten limb need to be totally immobilized.

If bandaging is not available, tear towels, sheets, clothes, petticoats, etc; into strips, even pantyhose may be used.

Keep victim and bitten limb as still as possible especially if bite is on body or face.

4. Where possible bring transport to the victim, preferably an ambulance and transport immediately to a major hospital.

Always remember your DR ABC

D = Danger to self, others and the casualty.

R = Response from victim, shake them, yell to them, tap them, - if nil responses then turn casualty onto their side.

A = Airways, is it open and clear from obstructions, is the casualty breathing?

B = Breathing, - feel for, allow up to 10 seconds, if Yes - turn victim to stable side position & manage shock, bleeding then any other injuries! If NO - check airway is clear - no foreign material present.

If Not breathing - turn victim on back, Tilt head back and slightly downward and start EAR - 5 full breaths in 10 seconds.

C = Circulation - check for pulse, if Yes - continue with EAR @ 15 breaths per minute & check for pulse and breathing again after 1 minute.

If possible, get someone to call for an ambulance 000 or on a mobile phone 112.

If No - Start CPR @ a rate of 30 chest compressions to 2 breaths per minute, checking for pulse and breathing after 1 minute. (Make sure the chest rises with each breath). ADULT/CHILD: give compressions using two hands with fingers interlocked. INFANT, give compressions using two fingers.

STOP CPR IF Victim shows signs of life OR qualified help arrives, OR you are physically unable to continue.

If victim shows signs of life then turn into stable side/recovery position and manage any other injuries whilst waiting for an ambulance. Reasure victim, help is coming it's OK.

DO'S and DON'TS when dealing with Snake-bite!

Do not try to catch or kill a snake. Statistics show that 95% of people that end up in hospital from snakebite are those that have tried to kill or intifere with the snake. Remember on a warm day a snake can strike high off the ground, springing off its tail!

Do not wash the bite site. A doctor can use a sample from the bite site to help identify the venom by using a Venom Detection Kit test, aiding in the administering of the correct antivenene.

Do not give food or drink - especially alcohol, small sips of water are acceptable if there is a great delay in the victim being transported to hospital.

Do not cut or suck the bite. (By sucking the bite site the first aider may become envenomated & cutting it may cause other unwanted medical problems).

Do not apply or use a tourniquet. (A tourniquet will cause compression injuries to nerves, tendons, ligaments, arteries, veins etc:

Always apply first aid and seek urgent medical assistance upon any suspected snakebite.

Venomous snakebites are not always painful and may not be visible to the naked or untrained eye. There may or may not be puncture or scratch marks, let alone two puncture marks as most commonly seen in the movies. Venomous snakes have more than just two fangs in their mouth, they have other teeth both top & bottom as we do, consequently multiple scratch or puncture marks may be seen.

A venomous snake only needs to break the top layer of skin & leave a tiny sample of venom (invisible to the eye) and this could be responsible for a fatality.

SNAKE BITE PREVENTION:

Always leave snakes alone. Do not attempt to hold, touch, feel or interfere with a snake unless there is a qualified "Herpetologist" already on hand and holding the reptile or, the snake is under his/her control.

Dead snakes can still inflict a fatal bite & there have been many documented incidents. Don't bury a dead snake in the garden bed, someone may scratch themselves on it, digging around at a later date. Don't throw the body of a dead snake into the paddock, someone may tread on or scratch themselves on the skeleton which may contain crystal venom, still being lethal! Sometimes the nerves of a dead snake, severed in pieces can still be responsible for a potentially fatal bite.

95% of people that are admitted to hospital due to snakebite, are those whom have tried to kill and/or interfere with the reptile, (statistical studies done in WA).

Always wear good protective footwear/boots etc; and loose fitting long pants/slacks/jeans when bushwalking. Use a long stick and make noise in front of where you are walking in long grass. Stamp your feet and make plenty of noise around where you are.

Never put your hands where you can't see, in hollow logs, long grass, under rocks, in rock crevices when climbing rock faces etc;

Use good leather gloves when gardening, spider bites are more common than snake-bite.

Use a torch if walking around on a warm evening when dark, even around the house! Instead of risking death from cooking on a warm day, a snake will venture out of a night, laying upon warm pathways/cement/roads etc; to build up its body temperature prior to going on the hunt. Reptiles/snakes are cold blooded & ectothermic, meaning they need to draw & control their body temperature, by using the outside elements. This is why they are more commonly encountered in the warmer months of the year.

On the other hand when temperatures are 32C & above, snakes/reptiles will seek areas to cool down, including inside your house. A snake may also detect moisture from air conditioning, escaping under the back/front door, as it passes by, especially in times of dry weather or drought. Don't invite a snake into your house by leaving the door open, not even for your pets.

Never leave front/back doors open in warm weather, make sure insect screens have no holes in them and monitor pet doors as snakes also use these to gain entry to a cooler area or water on a hot day. Fit a good quality weather strip to your door, one that has a grommet attached to the door stop, forcing the weather strip to the floor upon closing the door.

Stack iron, firewood, timber etc; at least 30cm (12inches) off the ground. If possible don't leave items laying around the carport, garage or shed, especially near front/back doors. Try and use shelving.

Always turn compost heaps regularly to help prevent rodents from nesting in there. Prevent mice & rats from breeding on and around your property. Snakes will venture into the roof of ceiling space after them.

Keep lawns, grass and weeds cut down to a minimum. Prune overhanging bushes, shrubs and trees up off the ground, removing secure areas where snakes like to hide. When landscaping your garden, remember that moss rocks, poorly constructed retaining walls and ground covers provide excellent & secure places for snakes to hide & live in particular - cavities after soil movement?

Don't leave shoes/ boots etc; laying on the ground at the back/front door, if you must, get a shoe rack. A metre long brown snake can easily hide unseen - inside a shoe left laying on the ground at the door!

Don't leave your pet's water bowl by the back door, move it further down the backyard into a shaded area! Having your pet's water bowl near the door encourages the snake closer to your house making it easier to dart inside when you venture out! A dripping tap or air conditioner outlet can also provide a viable water source for a thirsty snake!

Never intentionally run over a snake on the road as it may hitch a ride home with you!

Snake-bite Prevention is far better than a cure. There have been times when antivenenes haven't worked. There may also be secondary infections or other complications.