SNAKEBITES
While there are about 45,000 snakebites a year in the United States, only
about 7,000 of these injuries involve poisonous snakes, resulting in about
10 deaths annually, only one-fourth the number that die from bee stings.
Poisonous snakes are found in every state except Maine and Alaska.
Sixty percent of the venomous snakebites are caused by rattlesnakes; the
other 40 percent result from bites from copperheads, cottonmouths (water
moccasins), and coral snakes. Although not all bites from poisonous snakes
result in the release of poison, once the skin is punctured by snake fangs
you should assume that poison is present and act accordingly. It is urgent
that a snakebite victim be taken to a hospital for antivenin serum as
quickly as possible, certainly within 4 hours. (The serum is not effective
if administered more than 12 hours after the bite.)
Hikers or campers who plan trips to remote areas without easy access to
transportation or medical assistance should carry a snakebite kit and be
trained in its proper use. Hikers should also know how to distinguish
between two major types of venomous snakes.
- Pit Vipers.
This family of snakes includes rattlesnakes,
copperheads, and cottonmouths. They have triangular heads with a pit
between the nostril and eye on both sides of the head, elliptical
pupils, and two fangs. All pit viper bites are treated with the same
antivenin.
- Coral Snakes.
Also called the harlequin or bead snake. Coral
snakes are banded in red and black interspersed with white or yellow
rings. They have teeth, fangs, a black snout, and lack facial pits. An
easy way to distinguish this type from nonpoisonous banded snakes:
"Red on yellow/kill a fellow;/red on black/good for Jack."
TREATMENT OF SNAKE BITES
- Reassure the person and keep him supine and as quiet as possible.
- Try to identify the snake but do not waste time looking for it if it
has disappeared. If you are not sure of the snake's type, but it is
easy to kill without danger to yourself, do so with extreme caution.
Remember that a snake's biting reflex allows it to still bite up to 60
minutes after it has died. For proper treatment with the correct
antivenin, it is especially important to identify an exotic snake from
a zoo or one kept as a pet.
- Apply a light constricting band 2 to 4 inches above the bite if it
is on an extremity. Do not totally restrict blood flow; check to make
sure that a pulse is present below this light tourniquet. If swelling
takes place at the level of the band, remove and replace it a few
inches above the swelling.
- Do not allow the victim anything to eat or drink. Especially do not
allow the ingestion of alcoholic beverages (this includes beer, wine,
and wine coolers).
- Call 911 for immediate medical assistance.
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