Maybe you've heard some of the myths regarding snake bites and proper treatment. Because rattlesnake bites can be life-threatening, treatment is of utmost importance. The best way to treat a rattlesnake bite is to get him to the hospital as soon as possible, although you can do some things to help ease the effects of the bite before the ambulance arrives after you call 119 or 118 (the emergency number for calling an ambulance).
Step
Part 1 of 4: Taking the First Step
Step 1. Stay away from the rattlesnake
Snakes can attack again if they feel threatened. Therefore, the person who is bitten should stay away from the snake's reach. Stay at least 6 meters away from the snake.
Step 2. Get medical help
Seeking medical help as soon as possible is a very important step. Most hospitals have suitable anti-venom drugs, and most of the treatment done before arriving at the hospital will not help much. If you are in an area where you can contact a hospital, call them. If you can't reach the hospital, seek help to take you or the person who was bitten to the nearest hospital.
Even if you're not sure you've been bitten by a rattlesnake, it's a good idea to go to the hospital immediately. It's better to be in the hospital if you start experiencing symptoms of snake venom entering the body
Step 3. DO NOT move the limb above the heart
If you move your limbs above your heart, the snake venom in your blood will flow to your heart more quickly.
Step 4. Keep the bitten person immobile
If possible, do not move the bite victim until help arrives. Movement will increase blood flow, so snake venom will spread more easily. Therefore, try not to move you or the person who was bitten.
Of course, when you're alone, you should move on to seek help rather than just standing still
Part 2 of 4: Dealing with Bites
Step 1. Remove jewelry and clothing
The area around the bite will be severely swollen, so cut or remove any clothing that is near the bite. In addition, also remove the jewelry in the area. If not removed before the area swells, blood flow will be impeded, and the jewelery will have to be tampered with to remove it.
Step 2. Let the wound bleed
Allow the bite to bleed freely for about half a minute. This can remove some of the snake's venom from the bite wound.
Step 3. Use a vacuum cleaner
Try sucking in the poison, but use a suction device specifically designed for this purpose. The suction device comes with instructions for use. The general way of using it is to place the device over the bite to suck in and remove the snake's venom.
Step 4. Apply a clean bandage to the wound
Do not wash the bite wound, as this can remove snake venom from the skin. Health workers can use anything that is stuck to the skin to treat the wound, as they will know what type of snake has bitten you.
Step 5. Tie a splint or sling around the wound
A splint or sling can help keep the wound from moving, which will slow blood flow to the area. As a result, snake venom will not spread too much.
- To make a sleeve sling, make a triangle out of the fabric by cutting or folding it. Wrap the triangular fabric around your arms with your elbows in the middle. Your arm or that of the person who was bitten must be bent toward the elbow to enter the sling. Tie and tie the other two ends around the shoulder. Let your hands stick out at the bottom of the triangular fabric
- Find something to support the bitten limb, such as a cane, roll of newspaper, or roll of cloth. Place the brace on the side of the wound, and try to join the joint above and below the wound. Tie the support with something around you, this could be a belt, tape, or a bandage. Do not bandage around the wound, but bandage on both sides. If the wound swells too much, loosen the pressure on the splint.
Part 3 of 4: Waiting for Help
Step 1. Calm the bitten person
Speak and ask questions to distract from the bite. Anxiety and panic can increase your heart rate and make it easier for snake venom to spread.
- If you are bitten, try to stay calm. Take slow and deep breaths to calm the nerves.
- While waiting, you can also call the emergency services at the hospital.
Step 2. Watch for any discoloration or swelling
One of the easiest ways to spot a venomous snake bite is to observe whether the area is swollen or not. The bite wound can also change color.
- Another indication of a rattlesnake bite is the presence of one to two stab wounds, instead of a row of small punctures indicating a wound caused by a smaller tooth.
- Other signs of a rattlesnake bite include dizziness, pain at the bite, blurred vision, and a prickling feeling in other parts of the body, as well as profuse sweating.
Step 3. Look for signs of shock
One of the symptoms is the skin becomes pale. Other signs of shock include a fast heart rate, nausea, rapid breathing, and dizziness. Also pay attention to whether the bitten person's pupil dilates.
- If the bitten person begins to enter the shock phase, lie on their back with the feet raised at least 30 cm from the floor, and keep the body warm.
- Perform CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation - namely by applying pressure to the chest and artificial respiration) if the person who was bitten does not show signs of life, such as coughing, breathing, or moving.
Step 4. Do not give alcohol or caffeine
Both of these substances make the body absorb toxins more quickly. Therefore, do not consume this drink after being bitten by a venomous snake.
Part 4 of 4: Knowing What to Avoid
Step 1. Don't slice the wound
According to popular belief, slicing a bite wound can help expel snake venom. However, various tests have shown that this method does not help, and the wound can become infected if you use a dirty knife.
Step 2. Do not suck the wound using your mouth
The snake's venom will enter your mouth if you inhale it. In addition, the mouth contains a lot of bacteria, so the bite wound can become infected due to the germs in your mouth.
In fact, within 15 minutes, snake venom has entered the lymph system, so sucking snake venom after more than 15 minutes is a futile act
Step 3. Do not use a tourniquet (a rope-shaped device tied to a limb)
This device is used to stop blood flow to the limbs. In the past this tool was believed to be able to stop the spread of snake venom throughout the body. However, instead of helping this tool is actually dangerous.
Step 4. Do not apply ice or immerse the bite in water
Keeping body tissues functioning as long as possible is a very important step. Using ice or water will not help the body's tissues to function properly because they will slow down blood circulation.
Step 5. Don't pee on the bite wound
One myth that clearly doesn't make sense is urinating on a bite wound to neutralize poison. Urine won't handle a snakebite, and it's best if you use the time you have to go to the hospital.
Step 6. Do not give the victim any food or drink while waiting for help to arrive
This includes drugs and alcohol. You have to keep your metabolism low.
Tips
- If you are hiking in a place where there are a lot of snakes, don't do it alone and try to buy a snake bite kit.
- If you see a snake, don't touch it and move away from the snake slowly.
- Understand that snakes can swim in water or hide behind debris or other objects.
- Never put your feet or hands in a hole or somewhere under a rock without checking first for snakes or not.
- To protect your feet when you are hiking, wear hiking shoes, not sandals.
