Motorcycle Explorer February 2015 Issue 4 | Page 238

Here's what you should do!:
• Reassure.
• Wipe the bite site and cover with a clean dressing.
• Apply a compression bandage, preferably padded, firmly to the whole of the bitten
limb. This can decrease and slow down the central lymphatic movement of much of the
venom.
• Immobilize the bitten limb with a splint. Movement hastens venom absorption.
• If venom from a spitting cobra has entered the eye, remove the venom by immediate
copious irrigation with water, dilute urine will do if there is no water available.
• Arrange immediate transport to hospital.
And some things not to do :
• DO NOT apply a tourniquet.
• DO NOT suck at the wound or incise the fang puncture wounds.
• DO NOT give aspirin as it may cause bleeding.
• DO NOT give antivenom unless confident it is the correct one and there is clear
evidence of systemic poisoning. Best left to the experts.
If you or your companion are able to snap a photo of the offending snake without putting
yourself or others at increased risk this will help immeasurably when you reach hospital
and require the correct anti-venom. Better still, if the snake is dead bring it along for
identification purposes, but be very careful, even a decapitated venomous snake remains
capable of delivering a fatal bite for several hours. Needless to say speedy transfer to a
hospital, preferably in a major city, will offer you the best chance of survival. Snake
venom kills you in one of two ways. It is either neurotoxic or haemorrhagic, or both. If
neurotoxic the venom paralyses you, ultimately paralysing the muscles that enable you
to breathe thus bringing on a respiratory arrest, for which you will need a fully equipped
ITU, i.e. a ventilator. Haemorrhagic venom causes widespread haemorrhaging throughout
the body, for which again you will need anti-venom and hospitalised intensive care.