Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Snakebites common in state; be aware of poisonous snakes and know what to do if bitten

Everyone enjoys a day in the yard or time by an Arkansas waterway.

Take the time to review these suggestions on snakebite first aid before spending time out of doors this spring and summer.

Also look into purchasing a snakebite first aid kit, and see if it contains items necessary for first aid. A first aid kit which fits in the hand may not be complete enough to provide time to make it out of the woods or water.

Consider also, a complete packet containing personal information or a list naming regular medications taken should the victim be unable to respond to questions.

It could be a safe guard to take an disposable camera with you. A photo could tell doctors what kind of snake it was without endangering another person.

It's recommended to not enter the woods or wild areas without at least two companions.

Snakebite Emergency First Aid information - what to do if bitten by a venomous snake.

Allow bite to bleed freely for 15-30 seconds.

1. Cleanse and rapidly disinfect area with Betadine, assuming the victim isn't allergic to iodine (or shellfish) pad.

2. If the bite is on the hand, finger, foot or toe, wrap leg/arm rapidly with 3-inches to 6-inches elastic or crepe bandage past the knee or elbow joint immobilizing it. Leave the area of the fang marks open. Apply Extractor immediately as well. Wrap no tighter than one would for a sprain. Make sure pulses are present.

3. Apply Sawyer Extractor until there is no more drainage from fang marks. Extractor can be left in place for 30 minutes or more if necessary. It also aids in keeping the venom from spreading by applying a negative pressure against the tissue where the venom was initially deposited and creates a gradient which favors the movement of venom toward the Sawyer's external collection cup.

4. If an extractor is not available: Apply hard direct pressure over the bite using a 4x4 gauze pad folded in half twice. Tape in place with adhesive tape.

5. Soak a gauze pad in Betadine solution if available and not allergic to iodines.

6. Strap gauze pad tightly in place with adhesive tape.

7. Overwrap dressing above and below bite area with elastic or crepe bandage, but not too tight. No tighter than would be used for a sprain. Make sure pulses are present.

8. Wrap elastic bandage as tight as one would for a sprain. Not too tight.

9. Check for pulses above and below elastic wrap; if absent it is too tight. Unpin and loosen.

10. Immobilize bitten extremity, use splinting if available.

11. If possible, try and keep bitten extremity at heart level or in a gravity-neutral position. Raising it above heart level can cause anti-venom to travel into the body. Holding it down, below heart level can increase swelling.

12. Go to nearest hospital or medical facility as soon as possible.

13. Try and identify, kill and bring (only if safe to do so) offending snake. This is the least important thing to be done. Visual identification/description usually suffices, especially in the U.S.

14. Bites to face, torso or buttocks are more of a problem. Disinfect. Prep (shave hair) area with razor provided in extractor kit. Use extractor device until there is not further drainage possible and then apply pressure dressing with gauze pad and tape. Elastic/crepe bandaging can not be applied to such bites. A pressure dressing made of a gauze pad may help if a Sawyer Extractor is not available.

15. Antivenom is the only and best treatment of snakebite and the victim must get as much as is necessary as soon as possible. Antivenom administration should not be delayed. Up to 20 vials may be needed to neutralize the effects of rattlesnake and other crotalid venoms in North America. Children may need more than this as envenomation is apt to be much more serious in a small personcompared to a larger one.

What Not to do if Bitten by a Venomous Snake

Contrary to advice given elsewhere do not permit removal of pressure dressings, Sawyer or elastic bandage until at a facility ready and able to administer antivenom. As soon as the dressings are released the venom will spread causing the usual expected problems of venomous snakebite. The hospital at this time must be prepared to administer the antidote (antivenom).

16. Do not eat or drink anything unless okayed by medical sources.

17. Do not engage in strenuous physical activity.

18. Do not apply oral (mouth) suction to bite.

19. Do not cut into or incise bite marks with a blade.

20. Do not drink any alcohol or use any medication.

21. Do not apply either hot or cold packs.

22. Do not apply a narrow, constrictive tourniquet such as a belt, necktie or cord.

23. Do not use a stun gun or electric shock of any kind.

24. Do not remove dressings/elastic wraps until arrival at hospital and anti-venom available.

25. Do not waste time or take any risks trying to kill, bag or bring in offending snake.