How NOT To Treat a Venomous Snakebite
Table of Contents
Snakebites, and venomous snakebites in particular, are one of the biggest concerns that people have when stepping out into the Australian bush. Our country is known for its snakes, and for good reason, Australia is home to the top eleven most venomous snakes globally.
While advances in snakebite treatment, first aid, and antivenom mean we actually have fewer snakebite related deaths than other countries, the deadly nature of many of our slithering denizens means that snake bite first aid in Australia is a vital piece of knowledge that many of us unfortunately lack.
There are a few different explanations for this lack of know-how. Many people simply haven’t taken it upon themselves to learn venomous snakebite treatment. Another reason is misinformation. Even before the internet, old wives tales became strong enough that they persist today. Snake bite information is now full of misconceptions, myths, and bad advice.
Do you know what to do in a snake bite emergency? Or do you only think that you know what you need to do? Unless you’ve taken a first aid training course, the odds are that it is the former. Knowing what not to do is just as important as knowing what to do, so let’s dispel some of the bad info surrounding snake bite treatment.
Types of Snake Bites
Venomous snake bites can be classified into two main categories: dry bites and envenomations. Dry bites occur when the snake strikes but does not inject venom, resulting in pain, swelling, and redness around the bite area. Even if you can somehow confirm that the snake did not inject venom, emergency medical assistance should still be sought as soon as possible, just in case.
Envenomations, on the other hand, involve injecting venom. This leads to a wide variety of symptoms, which can depend on the type of snake involved. It can also be fatal in extreme circumstances.
Venomous Snake Habitats
Different snakes have different habitats. However, there is an still an easy answer, as to where you can encounter venomous snakes in Australia: Everywhere.
For example, the coastal taipan inhabits coastal areas in northeast Australia from Brisbane to Darwin, preferring tropical and subtropical habitats like rainforests, woodlands and grasslands. The inland taipan lives in the semi-arid regions of southwest Queensland, northwest New South Wales and northeast South Australia. And though we’re only discussing land snakes in this post, sea snakes are almost always venomous.
In Australia, the majority of venomous snake bites occur inside the home as a direct result of trying to remove a snake that has gotten in. If a snake gets into your home, give it a wide berth and don’t handle it yourself. Call a professional to get it safely removed.
The key to avoiding venomous snakes is to leave any snake alone.
Venomous Snakebite Symptoms
Venomous snakebites can produce a wide range of symptoms, depending on the type of snake and amount of venom injected. Generally, the most common symptoms of any snake bite, venomous or otherwise, are severe pain, swelling and redness, bruising and local bleeding may also occur.
Early symptoms of venomous snakebites are likely to include nausea and vomiting, headache, abdominal pain, blurred vision or double vision, slurred speech, muscle pain or weakness, dark or red coloured urine, and shortness of breath. If the bite is left untreated, these symptoms can progress to severe and potentially life-threatening conditions such as difficulty breathing and respiratory failure, which in turn, can turn fatal.
Non-Venomous Snakebites
Almost any snake has the potential to bite you if threatened. So the key to avoiding any kind of snake bite is to leave it alone. Even if you can confirm that the snake that you’re confronting is non-venomous, it should be treated as though it is venomous. Even a non-venomous snakebite can become infected and lead to complications.
How NOT To Treat A Venomous Snakebite
The first step in venomous snakebite treatment is to know which pieces of advice to ignore. Following are the most common false tips about snakebite treatment and why they’re likely to do more harm than good.
Do Not Use a Tourniquet
The idea behind applying a tourniquet is that it can isolate the venom in the limb that was bitten, preventing it from spreading to other parts of the body. However, applying a tourniquet or tight constriction band on a snakebite victim can be harmful.
Even in extreme circumstances, tourniquets should only be used to stem bleeding. Cutting off blood flow to a limb risks permanent tissue damage from a lack of oxygen, excaerbating an already serious situation.
Do Not Suck Out the Venom
There are many reasons why this oft repeated tidbit is a bad idea. The first is that it simply doesn’t work. When bitten, venom spreads through the victim’s system very quickly, so there is no hope of sucking out a sufficient amount to make any difference. Studies have also shown that suction devices are ineffective at extracting venom.
Secondly, sucking the venom can cause it to spread to your own mouth, potentially envenoming you as well. If anything, there is a risk of transferring bacteria to the snakebite via your saliva, causing infection.
Do Not Cut The Wound
The myth of cutting out snake venom has its roots in outdated historical practices. Before the advent of modern antivenom treatments, folk healers suggested cutting as a treatment as they mistakenly believed that the venom remained localised at the bite site for a period of time, making extraction seem possible.
Unfortunately, this myth has persisted into the modern day. We now know that cutting the wound can lead to increased tissue damage, and a higher risk of infection.
Do Not Use An Ice Pack
At best, there is no proven benefit to using an ice pack on a snake bite. At worst, ice packs left on a snakebite affected limb can cause frostbite, which in turn can cause severe tissue damage.
However, it is more likely that the venom becomes more active when a limb is warmed after an ice pack is removed. Cold temperatures cause smaller blood vessels to constrict, and when combined with venoms, this can cause tissue damage.
Do Not Drink Milk
Applying it to the snake bite site is a practice that dates back to ancient Egypt, and which is still used in parts of India. However, several studies have debunked the myth that milk has any impact on snake venom whatsoever.
In addition to this, milk should not be drunk as a snake bite victim should not be given any food or drink in the event that they end up requiring surgery.
Do Not Sterilse The Bite With Urine
Do Not Induce Vomiting
Some believe that inducing vomiting can treat snakebites as it will expel the venom. However, while some venom may make its way into your stomach the majority of it is in your blood, making vomiting ineffective at best. At worst, vomiting may dehydrate the victim, increasing the potency of the venom.
Vomiting may occur naturally as a symptom of snakebite envenomation, but it should be managed by placing the person in the recovery position to prevent choking.
Should You Sleep After A Venomous Snakebite?
The short answer to whether you should sleep after a snake bite is a definitive “No.” Seeking help right away is essential, and delaying treatment with sleep can lead to serious complications.
Snake venom can cause a range of reactions, and some symptoms may not manifest immediately. By falling asleep, you risk missing critical signs of envenomation. Staying awake allows you to monitor your condition and report any changes to medical professionals.
Envenomation can lead to nausea and vomiting, which poses a significant risk if you are asleep. Vomiting while unconscious can result in choking, further complicating an already serious situation.
How You SHOULD Treat A Venomous Snakebite
At the end of the day, the only way to treat the venom of a snakebite is to give the victim the appropriate antivenom, and this is something only a trained medical professional can do. Fortunately, there is an easy first aid protocol for snakebites that can help you stabilise a victim until they receive the professional care they need.
When faced with a snakebite, the first step is to seek immediate medical attention by calling an ambulance on Triple Zero (000). While waiting for help to arrive, apply a pressure immobilisation bandage to the affected limb by firmly wrapping a thick bandage over the bite site and entire limb, starting at the fingers or toes and working to cover the entire limb. The bandage should be tight, but not so much that it restricts blood flow. Keep the victim calm and still to restrict venom spreading through the body. If possible, also position the bitten limb so it’s below the level of the heart.
First Aid: The Only Way to Treat A Venomous Snakebite
With so many ineffective and dangerous folk remedies that should never be used for snakebite treatment, it’s clear that proper first aid training is crucial. Skills Training College offers comprehensive first aid courses that teach students not only how to handle venomous snakebites, but also other venomous animal injuries and every other first aid situation imaginable.
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Learn first aid before you need it by enrolling in a first aid course with Skills Training College today. Our expert instructors will give you the skills and confidence to provide life-saving care in the event of a snakebite or other crisis. With courses available in locations across Australia, it’s never been easier to get the training you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most venomous snake in Australia?
The most venomous snake in Australia, and the world, is the Inland Taipan. Despite its fearsome reputation, it is generally shy and will only attack when provoked.
How many people die fron snakebites?
Globally an estimated 1.8 to 2.7 million people are envenomed by snake bites each year, leading to more than 125,000 deaths. For every fatality, an additional three to four individuals may suffer permanent disabilities due to complications.
In Australia, approximately 3,000 snakebites are reported annually, but only around 200 to 500 of these cases require antivenom treatment. Fatalities are surprisingly low, with an average of about two deaths per year, and most occur in rural areas, where access to immediate medical care is challenging.
