Snake bite first aid

Geoff R · #1 13-01-2003, 10:46 AM

Hey Guy's and Girls,
Seeing as a lot of you are land based and are trapsing around in a snakes backyard, I wonder how many of you know what to do if you or someone else is bitten?
I was trained in the Army as a combat first aider and even had the experience of treating a mate struck by a King Cobra in Thailand.
Now, all treckers should be prepared for such an event as we used to say in the Army Prior,Preparation and Planning Prevent's Piss, Poor Performance (the seven "P's").
First prepare a snakebite kit,
2x crepe bandages about 10cm's in width
6x triangular badages, for splinting ,slings etc.
1x marking pen

Secondly
if in the advent you are unlucky enough to be bitten or you come across some one who has been bit "DON'T PANIC" ensure the snake has buggerd off and is not a danger and reassure the casualty. Get the casualty to sit down and find out where the bite is.
Most snake venom in Australia attacks the Lymphatic system, it travels from the bite site to the extremities of the limb back to the vital organs. Because of this we use a technique called the Pressure Immobilization Method or PIM for short. You bandage from the bite site out to the toes or fingers then back right up to the groin or armpits, 2 crepe bandages should be enough but if you have more you will always be coverd. Bandages should be firm but not restricting circulation, a good example to test the tightness is to do a Capillery Refill test. That is where you squeeze a toe or finger and watch the as the casualties blood refills under their skin. If you squeeze your own finger you will see the skin apear white after you let it go, only to refill back to it's normal colour quickly. Mark the bite with a circle around the general area using the pen, a doctor will cut away the bandages later to take a venom sample from the skin, so don't wash the area.
Once you have applied the bandages, try to splint the limb's so the person is unable to move. THe more a person can move the quicker the venom will flow. The triangle bandages are perfect for this, fold them so they are about 4 fingers wide as to not cut off the casualties circulation. Place them above and below where ever there is a joint (knee, ankle) and get help asap
Regards Geoff

Bear · #2 13-01-2003, 10:50 AM

Well done mate. Good job and something we should all know.

I'm also going to suggest to Ira that we also make it known any guys that might also be first aiders during the fishing comps.

Ta.

Geoff R · #3 13-01-2003, 10:55 AM

I hope that was easy to understand, it is rather hard to write how to do it in Intricate detail.
If any one wants to know more get in touch with me
Cheers Geoff

Daniel_Folley · #4 13-01-2003, 11:03 AM

helpful info geoff.
i plan on joining the army when i turn 17 do you think it is a good career?
but also i was fishing with a mate once in my canoe we were under a tree and a bloody diamond python dropped from the tree .i dont think they are venoumos but it gave us a bloody good fright.the bloody thing ended up crawling out straight away.

Tony Ireland · #5 13-01-2003, 11:07 AM

That was easy to read. I already new how to bandage it but did not no why it was done this way as opposed to the old tornake(no idear how to spell it )method. I learnt something to day so it must be a good day.

Bear · #6 13-01-2003, 11:11 AM

It is a good idea that each boat have a St Johns approved first aid kit. We have seen from a number of guys that it is very easy to get a few nasty injuries.

A well stocked kit is worth it's weight in gold.

Craig_S · #7 13-01-2003, 11:17 AM

Good point that Bear and in fact something Geoff and I had been talking about recently...and I bet Richo wishes there was a bandaid around last weekend too.

Bear · #8 13-01-2003, 11:35 AM

I bet he did.

I like the avatar much better Craig. Looks great.

pete s · #9 13-01-2003, 07:48 PM

good timing geoff

a guy was bitten by a tiger snake in kew (melbourne) the other day, right in the suburbs. i saw 1 in the same area back in september....end of winter..full of venom...nasty!

snakes were the reason we always wore waders when trout fishing...even in the middle of summer

its another reason to fish with a mate....you never know whats going to happen

#10 14-01-2003, 12:03 AM

I think that this is very handy Geoff. Also, i think the most important one (for boaters in particular) is that they learn the DR ABC resucitation methods. No one wants to have someone fall out of the boat and drown so this is very important.
I personally have my bronze medallion, bronze cross and surf life saving certificates, but i think every boat should have the St John Of God resuc. chart!!!

Dave

Ravin · #11 14-01-2003, 12:45 AM

Good info Geoff

I think everyone should know a bit of proper First Aid its no load to carry after all.