Thinking about snake bites might make your skin crawl, but the truth is, it’s something you need to be prepared for. Knowing exactly what to do when a snake bites can be the difference between a close call and a life-threatening situation.
And that’s where a good ol’ snake bite first aid kit comes in handy. But then again, it’s not just about having the kit, it’s about knowing how to use it properly.
In this article, we’ll give you a complete rundown of the steps involved in curbing the effects of a snake bite using a snake bite kit.
Why These Steps Need to Be Adhered to
Skipping any of these steps or not doing them properly can make a huge difference in how the venom affects you. And trust me, you don’t want to take any chances with a snake bite.
Even if you’re not sure what kind of snake bit you, it’s better to follow these steps and be overly cautious. In Australia, we’ve got some of the deadliest snakes in the world, so it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
You might be thinking, “Why do I have to go through all these steps? Can’t I just slap on a bandage and get moving to the hospital?” Well, here’s the deal: snake venom spreads through your lymphatic system, and the more you move, the faster it spreads.
Each one of these steps is designed to slow the venom down and give you more time to get medical help.
Step 1: Stay Calm and Keep Still
Alright, the first thing you’ve got to do when bitten is to stay calm. Now, I know that’s easier said than done because getting bitten by a snake can be bloody terrifying. But then, when you start freaking out, your heart rate goes up, and that helps the venom spread faster through your body.
You need to keep it as still as possible. If the bite is on your arm or leg (which it usually is), try not to move it. Keep it below heart level if you can, and just take a deep breath. This is the moment when staying calm could literally save your life.
You don’t want to go sprinting off to the nearest hospital or running around looking for help. The more you move, the faster the venom spreads. So, you must stay chill as much as possible and focus on what you need to do next.
Step 2: Call for Help
Once you’ve managed to calm yourself down and stay still, the very next thing you need to do is call for help. If your phone is within reach, grab it and dial 000 for an ambulance, alternatively, you can call for help from someone nearby, whichever way, you’ve got to get help on the way as soon as possible.
Now, if you’re out in the middle of nowhere and don’t have mobile reception, things can get a bit tricky. In that case, you’ll need someone to go for help, but again, you stay put. If you’ve got a mate with you, have them handle the phone call or run for help. The less you move, the better your chances are.
Step 3: Apply a Pressure Immobilisation Bandage
Alright, now we’re getting into the nitty-gritty of using your snake bite first aid kit. If you’ve been bitten by a snake, the next thing you’ll want to do is apply a pressure immobilisation bandage. And this step is absolutely crucial because it’s one of the most effective ways to slow the spread of venom.
First off, grab the bandage from your kit. You can start by wrapping it around the bite site, but make sure the bandage should start just above the bite and then work its way upwards along the limb.
You don’t want to apply it too tightly like you’re cutting off circulation, but it needs to be firm enough that it compresses the tissues and helps slow down the venom.
If you’re wrapping an arm or leg, go all the way up the limb. You’re aiming to cover as much of the limb as possible to really slow that venom down. And don’t forget to keep the limb as still as possible while you’re doing this.
Also Read: Essentials of a Snake Bite First Aid Kit and How to Use Snake Bite Bandages Correctly
Step 4: Splint the Affected Limb
Once the bandage is in place, the next step is to splint the limb. This means you want to keep the limb as still as possible as you would for a broken bone.
If your kit has a splint (which a good one should), now’s the time to use it. If you don’t have a proper splint, you can use whatever you’ve got on hand, be it a stick, rolled-up newspaper, or even a sturdy piece of clothing.
The whole idea here is to stop the limb from moving. Every little movement can help the venom spread, so by splinting the arm or leg, you’re limiting that movement and keeping things in check until help arrives.
Step 5: Mark the Bite Site
This is one that people often forget, but it’s really important: mark the bite site. Take a pen or marker from your kit and put a mark right where the bite occurred. This helps the medical professionals know exactly where to focus when they start treatment.
Also, if the bite starts to swell, you can mark the edge of the swelling with the time next to it. This can give paramedics and doctors a better idea of how fast the venom is spreading and how urgent your treatment is.
Step 6: Stay Still and Wait for Help
This might be the hardest part: staying still and waiting for help. Once you’ve got the snake bite bandage on, the limb is splinted, and you’ve marked the bite, you’ve done just about everything you can. Now, it’s all about staying calm and waiting for the professionals to arrive.
If you’re lucky enough to have a mate with you, they can keep you company and keep an eye on your condition. If you’re alone, keep as still as possible and focus on your breathing. The less you move, the better your chances are.
Another tip: You should never remove the bandage or splint until medical help arrives. Even if it starts to feel uncomfortable, resist the urge to take it off. Once the bandage is in place, it’s doing its job of slowing down the venom, and you don’t want to mess with that.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Dealing With a Snake Bite
While we’re at it, let’s go over some common mistakes that people make when dealing with snake bites.
Sucking out the venom
One big mistake is trying to suck out the venom or cut into the wound. Don’t do it. It doesn’t work, and you’ll only end up making things worse.
Don’t try to suck out the venom because that’s just a myth and doesn’t work. Don’t try to cut the wound, either. All you need to focus on is getting professional medical help on the way.
Trying to catch or kill the snake
Your first instinct might be to figure out what kind of snake bites you so you can tell the paramedics. But chasing down the snake is a bad idea. You could get bitten again, and you’re wasting time that could be spent getting help.
And then again, it’s not even necessary in the first place. Australia’s medical professionals know how to handle snake bites, even if you don’t know what type of snake it is.