Snake Bites

In this lesson, you'll learn how to treat a patient who has been bitten by a poisonous snake.

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[randyrowett]

Yes, you can take a picture of the snake. A great instructional video.

[fixitright]

I know with vipers here in Florida no compression and keep the bite mark above the heart, you want the blood to thin out the venom and not localize it

[YahuahElohim]

Can’t we just take a picture of the snake

[tylers.]

Do not follow this advice. It is outdated. At the time of this post, the current revision of the Red Cross training (v2021) does not advise this. Do not attempt to go after the snake to identify it or bring it with you to the hospital. That’s how you turn a snake bite into snake bites. The best thing you can do is call 911 and keep them calm. The injured part should be below the heart. Get help as quickly as possible. Treat every snake bite as venomous.

Unless you have been trained under certain circumstances should you apply a pressure bandage. I think the Red Cross said it best.
“Pressure immobilization bandaging, with the use of an elastic bandage, may be considered by those trained in proper application following the suspected bite of a coral snake in the United States if the transport time to the hospital may be prolonged. However, pressure immobilization bandaging should not be used following a bite of a pit viper in the United States and Canada. Pit vipers include rattlesnakes, cottonmouths (water moccasins), and copperheads.”

Unless you know what you’re doing and can positively identify the snake, you are better off just leaving it alone. Call 911 and get help as fast as possible. The faster you call the less you have to worry about.

[OPiguy]

Wasn’t there a pub med article that snake bite kits were ineffective and in fact, could cause additional damage to the skin tissue?

[hsmith]

probably better for you to support the arm rather than make him use muscles