"Don't touch that snake!"

[Griffon]

I've heard that the current standard procedure in the British army in case someone is snakebitten is to NOT try to bring the snake in.

Main reasons are:
a) It's far too likely you'll get three snakebitten people instead of one,
b) Most of the time it doesn't matter which kind of snake it was since the treatment is the same in any case.

I guess there are places where the specific anti-venoms might be available. (Australia, USA?)

 

[dartanyon]

A good idea would be to attach some sort of note to the victim with details of when the bite took place, where on the body and a description of the snake or spider including colourings and shape if possible.
DON'T FORGET THE RESTRICTIVE BANDAGE!!

 

[Medic1210]

Originally posted by dartanyon
DON'T FORGET THE RESTRICTIVE BANDAGE!!

DO forget the restrictive bandage. This is no longer a recommended treatment anymore.

Mike

Edited to add: Just so you don't say that you do things different in Australia, here is a Snakebite info page specifically for Australia. Check the second to last line under what not to do.

 

[Ming65]

Thanks for the info mate - I see the bastids almost everyday here in summer and I didn't know that stuff. I knew that tourniquets where out but I didn't know about the veneom detector kits.

Me, I just stay out of their way.

 

[dartanyon]

Medic - By restrictive bandage I meant both pressure bandage and splint. I thought the "no tourniquet" thing was common knowledge these days. Sorry for my bad choice of words.

Just while I've got your attention, could you please let me know how to use the mould off oranges as medicine?

 

[Medic1210]

Originally posted by dartanyon
Medic - By restrictive bandage I meant both pressure bandage and splint. I thought the "no tourniquet" thing was common knowledge these days. Sorry for my bad choice of words.

No problem. A lot of "snake bite" kits used to contain a small restricting band that was used to help slow the lymphatic system flow down. It was a small string or twine that was tied relatively loosely around the affected limb. It wasn't tight enough to stop arterial or venous blood flow, but it was thought to slow the lymphatic system. Some people still think that is how you are supposed to treat a snake bite. Then again, some people still think you should cut the bite, and suck out the venom with your mouth!

Just while I've got your attention, could you please let me know how to use the mould off oranges as medicine?

Sorry bud, can't help ya' there. I'm a paramedic, not a Zulu Medicine Man. I know that penicillin was found by Sir Alexander Fleming when he was working on different molds, but his form wasn't stable enough to be used as medicine. It wasn't until later that Howard Flory and Ernst Chain were able to stabilize penicillin to be used as a medicine.

Mike