A bite from any of the pit vipers produces immediate and severe pain and darkening of the skin, followed by weakness, blurred vision, quickened pulse, nausea and vomiting.
Of the many varieties of snakes found in the whole world, the United States have only four kinds are poisonous: copperheads, rattlesnakes, moccasins, and coral snakes. The first three belong to the category of pit vipers and are known as hemotoxic because their poison enters the bloodstream. The coral snake, which is comparatively rare, is related to the cobra and is the most dangerous of all because its venom is neurotoxic. This means that the poison transmitted by its bite goes directly to the nervous system and the brain.
Snakes of the pit viper family have a fang on each side of the head. These fangs leave characteristic puncture wounds on the skin in addition to two rows of tiny bites or scratches left by the teeth. A bite from a nonpoisonous snake leaves six rows – four upper and two lower – of very small bite marks or scratches and no puncture wounds.
The marks left by the bite of coral snake do not leave any puncture wounds either, but this snake bites with a chewing motion, hanging on to the victim rather than attacking quickly. The coral snake is very easy to recognize because of its distinctive markings: wide horizontal bands of red and black separated by narrow bands of yellow.
A bite from any of the pit vipers produces immediate and severe pain and darkening of the skin, followed by weakness, blurred vision, quickened pulse, nausea and vomiting. The bite of the coral snake produces somewhat the same symptoms, although there is less local pain and considerable drowsiness leading to unconsciousness.
If a physician or a hospital is short distance away, the patient should receive professional help immediately. He should be transported lying down, either on an improvised stretcher or carried by his companions – with the wounded part lower than his heart. He should be advised to move as little as possible.
If several hours must elapse before a physician or a hospital can be reached, the following procedures should be applied promptly: (1) Keep the victim lying down and as still as possible. (2) Tie a constricting band above the wound between it and the heart and tight enough to slow but not stop blood circulation. A handkerchief, necktie, sock, or piece of torn shirt will serve. (3) If a snakebite kit is available, use the knife it contains; otherwise, sterilize a knife or razor blade in a flame. Carefully make small cuts in the skin where the swelling has developed. Make the cuts along the length of the limb, not across or at right angles to it. The incisions should be shallow because of the danger of severing nerves, blood vessels, or muscles. (4) Use the suction cups in the snakebite kit, if available, to draw out as much of the venom as possible. If suction cups are not available, the venom can be removed by sucking it out with the mouth. Although snake venom is not a stomach poison, it should not be swallowed but should be rinsed from the mouth. (5) This procedure should be continued for from 30 to 60 minutes or until the swelling subsides and the other symptoms decrease. (6) You may apply cold compresses to the bite area while waiting for professional assistance. (7) Treat the victim for shock. (8) Give artificial respiration if necessary.
So, next time, when you are planning to have your vacation or sightseeing in the forest, mountain, desert, river, sea or even in your garden, always be aware of snakebite. Know the possible symptoms and emergency treatment beforehand. Besides, have your snakebite kit ready all the time.
