Identifying Snakes and their Danger

Why is it necessary that you know how to identify the types of snakes? Someone like you who have been trained in performing first aid should be alert at all times. This includes the need to specify the venomous snakes out there because this will guide you in saving the lives of those in your company.

As a matter of fact, not all snakes are noxious. But then again there are a few of them which are and they’re the ones that you’ve to recognize. Without the immediate first aid applied, a person might suffer permanently from the bite or worse, can even die. Take note that the effect of the snake’s venom on the body is classified into three different types. They’re termed as Neurotoxic venom which brings an effect to the nervous system, Hemotoxic or that which damages the tissue and blood cells, and the Cytotoxic which attacks the cells and kills them. Now the type of snake that has bitten a person must be readily identified so that the proper medical action can be undertaken. This then prevents death among the victims.

Snakes that have Poison and the Symptoms of the Bite

The rattlesnake, copperhead, coral snake, and the cottonmouth water moccasin are all poisonous. You’ll recognize a poisonous bite when the victim exhibits fang marks onto the skin with a bloody discharge on the wound, there’s a severe degree of pain and a burning sensation, convulsion, diarrhea, weakness, dizziness, blurred vision, fainting, fever, excessive sweating, vomiting, nausea, tingling and numbness, intense thirst, loss of muscle coordination, and a racing pulse.

Administering First Aid Treatment

When someone has been bitten by a poisonous snake, here are the important tips for you.
Immediately dial the hotline to ask for professional medical help.

While awaiting the arrival of the medical team, wash the snake bite using soap and water.

Immobilize the bitten part and place it lower than the heart.

Cover the spot using a clean and cool compress or one moist dressing to lessen the discomfort and swelling.

If medical help does not arrive in 30 minutes, you should put on a bandage that has to be wrapped about two up to four inches above the snake bite. This will slow down the flow of the venom. The band should be a bit loose so you may slip one finger underneath.

Your first aid kit should include a suction device that will aid in drawing out the venom without the need to make cuts.

It’s vital for you to take up the first aid training course that also touches on treating snake bites. Be very careful as you climb rocks and camp on the grassy areas too.

Signs of frostbite
The earliest sign that the body temperature begins to fall below normal (hypothermia) is shivering. This is actually good since the body tries to regulate its temperature. However, prolonged exposure to extreme cold temperature can have the following symptoms: numbness and loss of     pain sensation, cold skin that feels hard and solid, confusion, loss of function, blistering, color change from white, to red to purple, and slurred speech. When you notice these signs to a person, make sure to do the following first aid procedures:

• Take the person out of the cold.
• Wet clothes absorb heat from the body. Change to dry clothes as soon as possible.
• Submerge the patient’s body in warm (not hot) water for at least 20 minutes. Remember that the patient’s pain receptors are numb so don’t let him control the temperature.
• Don’t use direct heat such as heating pads from flat iron and fire from the stove.

• Be careful not to touch the affected areas of the body.
• Don’t use snow to rub the frostbitten areas of the skin.
• If they’ve been thawed, prevent refreezing by wrapping the affected skin with warm blanket. (Refreezing can cause permanent damage to the skin tissue.)
• As the affected areas thaw, the flesh can become red and painful.
• The skin is thawed if it turns to pink and no longer numb.

If you’re in a remote area or in a place where help is unavailable, make sure to keep the patient warm as soon as you see the signs of frostbite. Call for emergency help immediately. While waiting for an ambulance or a helicopter, assess if thawing is possible. Once help arrives, give the patient’s information to the medical personnel. Call the relatives and inform them about the incident.

Prevention

• Avoid exposing your skin to extreme cold temperature.
• Wear appropriate clothing when going out on a winter trip.
• Don’t ignore your body when it begins to shiver. Wear more layers of clothes as necessary.
• Don’t wait until hypothermia becomes frostbite. Call for emergency help immediately.