Snake bites are not common, but if it did happen to you, would you know what to do? Here are some tips, the link has more information:
1. Keep the person calm, reassuring them that bites can be effectively treated in an emergency room. Restrict movement, and keep the affected area below heart level to reduce the flow of venom.
2. If you have a pump suction device (Such as that made by Sawyer), follow the manufacturer's directions.
3. Remove any rings or constricting items because the affected area may swell. Create a loose splint to help restrict movement of the area.
4. If the area of the bite begins to swell and change color, the snake was probably poisonous.
5. Monitor the person's vital signs -- temperature, pulse, rate of breathing, and blood pressure if possible. If there are signs of shock (Such as paleness), lay the victim flat, raise the feet about a foot, and cover the victim with a blanket.
6. Get medical help immediately.
7. Bring in the dead snake only if this can be done without risk of further injury. Do not waste time hunting for the snake, and do not risk another bite if it is not easy to kill the snake. Be careful of the head when transporting it -- a dead snake can bite from reflex for up to an hour.
Ref. https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000031.htm
From what little I know, the more colorful the snake the more likely it is to be have a bite full of deadly poison. However, I do know of a light green snake in Trinidad (very small - about a foot in length) that hangs from trees and is extremely toxic.
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What is it called this light green snake in Trinidad?
I know in Okinawa they have these sea snakes that are quite beautiful to look at. Black with vibrant blue rings. They are extremely deadly. We were told when I was stationed there that if you got bit, you wouldn't even make it to shore to seek treatment. The good news is that they have a very small mouth on the underside of their head which means they can only bite in areas like finger tips, toe tips or between your fingers and toes.
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I tried doing a search for the local name, but I did not find anything - I would have to visit the zoo again, but I did find something that looks and acts like it - Blue Temple Viper:
A tree snake whose bite is haematotoxic and indeed very dangerous. The affected limb of snake bite victim must be completely immobilized and a stretch bandage should be applied. The victim then needs to be transferred to the nearest hospital or emergency room for observation of signs of invenemation. We do not recommend to use antivenin, unless the patient is developing symptoms of invenemation, since most snake bites do not inject significant amounts of venom during a bite.
Ref. https://www.expat.or.id/medical/poisonoussnakes.html
(scroll down to the bottom of the page to see pic)
By the way, I once heard tht drinking very small doses of snake venom can help you build up an immunity to a bite?
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I find it interesting what is said just below the bit about that snake on that web page about what not to do if bitten:
QUOTE |
Manipulation of the wound, suction, squeezing, massage, cutting the skin or application of ointments or remedies only increases the absorption of the venom, and should never be attempted. A polyvalent antivenom is available at the International SOS clinics in Bali and Jakarta |
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