Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the bite and the heart), wind around in overlapping layers toward the heart, then wind back
down over the bite and past it toward the hand or foot.
The bandage should be about as tight as the wrap for a sprained ankle. It must not ob-
struct blood flow, or even be uncomfortable; if it is uncomfortable, the person flexes the
limb, defeating the purpose of immobilization. The location of the bite should be clearly
marked on the outside of the bandage. Some swelling of the tissues beyond the wrap can
be expected.
The limb must be immobilized, if possible with a splint and sling, and pressure immob-
ilization should be applied as quickly as possible. Waiting until symptoms become notice-
ableallowsthebesttimefortreatmenttopass.Onceapressurebandagehasbeenapplied,it
mustneverberemoveduntilafteradministrationofantivenomhasbegun.Thecombination
ofpressureandimmobilizationcancontainvenomsoeffectivelythatnosignsorsymptoms
are apparent for more than twenty-four hours, producing the illusion of a dry bite.
The individual should be rapidly transported to a hospital while he or she exerts as little
effort as possible. Incision and suction or other forms of nonhospital treatment are of no
value. The Wyeth antivenom is no longer available. Antivenom now must be imported,
probably from Mexico or Costa Rica, and antivenoms produced in those countries are con-
sidered reliable.
Exotic Venomous Snake Bites
Bites by snakes that are not native to the United States occasionally occur among col-
lectors, amateur and professional herpetologists, and exhibitors. The treatment for such
bites is essentially identical to that for coral snake bites: immobilization of the venom by
wrappingthelimb,splinting,andtransportationtoamedicalcenter.Incisionandsuctionor
cooling have no value in treating such bites.
Antivenoms for bites by exotic species of snakes and physicians experienced in treating
suchbitesmaybeavailablethroughzoos.Poisoncontrolcenterscanbevaluablesourcesof
information and assistance, and a nationwide telephone system at 800-222-1222 can route
calls to the appropriate poison control center. In other countries, such information and an-
tivenoms may not be so easy to obtain. The nearest hospital would probably be the most
reliable source of information and assistance, particularly in areas where snakebites are
common. However, India now has a national snakebite protocol. Australia has antivenoms
for the tiger and brown snakes and a snakebite detection kit that can be used to determine
which antivenom should be used to treat the bite even if the type of snake is unknown.
Other Considerations
If a person who has been bitten by a venomous snake in a wilderness area cannot be
evacuated for several days (after which evacuation may not be needed), antibiotics may be
needed to combat wound infection. A sedative/hypnotic every four to six hours may help
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