Page 25 - Interface October Issue 2024

In the event of a snakebite:
• Keep the patient calm and ensure that the snake is Shade cloth
no longer in the immediate area. A second bite will wrapped around a
complicate matters. fence and buried into
• Avoid tight bandages, especially arterial tourniquets. the ground create a
• Cutting and sucking has no benefit, as snake venom physical barrier against
cannot be sucked out. snakes.
• Avoid all other home remedies and transport the patient
to the nearest emergency room at a hospital. You
can remove jewellery like rings or watches as well as
restrictive clothing around the bite site as the majority
of bites will result in swelling. Keeping the limb elevated
above the heart will reduce the pain and throbbing.
• Always bear in mind that it is a lack of oxygen that results
in most snakebite fatalities, with the main culprits being
the Black Mamba and Cape Cobra – if the patient is in
a hospital and breathing is compromised, the medical
team can stabilize the patient and intubate and ventilate
the patient.
• Antivenom is not a first aid measure and can only
be administered by a medical doctor in a hospital
environment. Nine out of ten snakebite victims that are
hospitalized do not receive antivenom as it is not always
necessary. Many bites are not severe and can be treated
symptomatically.
• Refrain from trying to kill the snake to take it along to
the hospital – doctors do not need to know what snake
was responsible for a bite, but a clear photograph of
the offending snake may well assist the doctors as they
will have an indication of what symptoms to look out
for. Bites are generally treated based on symptoms that For more information visit the African
present in the patient. Snakebite institute
• Most snakes try and make a quick escape when
disturbed. However, snakes that are stood on or attacked
will defend themselves. As we approach warmer
weather, make sure you are ready for the snake season.

Snakes are often
attracted to gardens for
water or food.

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