Snakes have been a symbol of venom, fear, and death all over the world. And with good reasons. About 600 species of snakes are venomous and can kill humans if not treated. They are deadly and dangerous. Humans are wary of this limbless creature because of what they can do and what they represent. We are so scared of them that we make sure to equip ourselves with things that repel them. That’s all good until you found yourself face to face with these deadly creatures. Even if we try our hardest to repel snakes, there are times when snakes find us instead.
Due to their natural habitat destruction, snake sightings near human populations have increased over time. And incidents of snake bites happen almost every time that happens. And that is why we need to know five things to do if bitten by a snake.
Quick Overview
Call 911
The first thing to do is calling the 911 emergency hotline. The snake that bit you may or may not be venomous, but it is best to be sure and call the emergency hotline will save your life, especially when you are alone and need help as soon as possible. Once you have received a response that they are on their way, focus on other tasks at hand.
Calling for help should be your number one priority. Snake venom can end your life if not treated immediately. Never wait for the symptoms to appear before calling an ambulance and declare it as an emergency. Some snake venom can kill you in just an hour.
Memorize
Memorize everything about the snake, like the color, size, shape of the head, and tail. Different snakes inject different venoms, and how to counteract them depends on what type of venom that snake has. However, this is easier said than done because once bitten, snakes will slither away from you. Not only that, adrenaline will kick in, and the only thing that will be in the back of your mind is how to save yourself. Human instinct will prevent you from memorizing these things. Not only that, a lot of people will have a hard time since snakes look the same. If the snake ran away, do not try to run after it.
If you fail to recognize the snake, try memorizing everything you are feeling. Is the area numb? Do you have a headache? Those little things will save your life. Once help is on the way, tell every symptom to the medical personnel to record them. Providing all information will point the doctors to the correct antidote.
Do not panic
Easier said than done, I know. But when you think of the consequences of panicking, I am sure you will find every way to calm yourself. Snake venom once injected into a human body, will move until it reaches your bloodstream. If you panic, your adrenaline will kick in, causing your heart to pump faster. The faster your heart pump, the quicker the venom travels into your system.
How to keep yourself calm
Keeping yourself calm can be difficult, especially if you are under pressure. Here are some tips that can help you stay calm.
Breathe
When you are under pressure, you tend to take short breaths. And in doing so, you are getting enough oxygen into your body. Once that happens, your brain will catch up that something is wrong, switching to survival mode. And that will keep your heart pumping, causing the venom to travel faster.
To keep calm, take long, deep breaths. Taking long deep breaths will allow you to absorb enough oxygen into your body, automatically switching off that survival mode.
Focus on something else
Focusing on a different thing can help you keep calm. Instead of dwelling on your negative thoughts, why not try to think of other things to keep you relax.
Be positive
In a very deadly situation like this, being positive can help you win the battle. Keep in mind that not all snakes are venomous, and even if they are, most survive the experience, and you will live to tell the tale once you are out of danger.
Do not move
You are making the venom travel faster inside your body if you move. If bitten, the poison will not go directly to your bloodstream. Instead, it will travel from your muscle tissues and lymphatic system to your bloodstream. Lymph nodes move when you move. Therefore, moving will only help in spreading the venom faster. So, be still as possible.
Using a torn cloth or anything that can be used as a bandage, wrap it around the bite area. Wrap it as far as it would go. Then, using a stick or any hard object about 12 inches in length, wrap another bandage with the object of your choice. Dressing the wound will further prevent the lymph nodes from moving.
Tips and tricks
There is much advice from people regarding snake bites, like washing them with soap and water, sucking, and even cutting yourself an inch above the bit. However, these steps are not practical and can even worsen the effect of the venom.
Do not attempt to suck the wound; it will only worsen the situation. If you have someone with you, do not allow other people to suck it for you. You will only be endangering your life and other people if that is the case. Instead, please wait for the paramedics to arrive and follow their instructions.
Do not wash with soap and water. It will only irritate the wound. Please do not attempt to clean it; wrap a tight bandage into the damage to help immobilize the venom.
If you are standing, sit down. If you get bitten in the arm, position it so that it is below your heart. Gravity will try to pull down everything, including the venom.
