INITIAL PRE-HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT OF SNAKE BITE
TYGERBERG POISON INFORMATION CENTRE (Tel: 021 9316129)
- Before leaving, check that the race emergency telephone number is stored in your phone
- In the case of a snake bite, immobilise the patient and keep them calm and call the emergency number immediately, do not delay. If alone, keep calm and do not continue cycling, sit down alert a fellow rider and ask them to phone the emergency number and ask them not to leave you until help arrives. The person phoning may have to ride to a higher point for cell phone signal.
- Lie down, keep calm and keep hydrated
- Do not suck the bite site - Do not apply a tourniquet
- Comforting and reassuring the patient is a very important part of the first aid treatment.
- Try to get a good description of the snake
- Paramedics will have the necessary equipment to treat snake bites and will transfer the patient to Alberlito Hospital in Ballito.
Notes:
- In most cases, victims have a couple of hours before serious life-threatening symptoms manifest themselves.
- ONLY in suspected neurotoxic bites (mamba, Cape cobra), it is recommended that you apply a wide crepe bandage (or other material) firmly above the bite site (as tightly as for a sprained ankle) to slow the spread of venom to vital organs like the heart and lungs.
- The life threatening neurotoxic effects of Mamba and Cape Cobra bites (such as difficulty in breathing) develop within 30 min to 4 hours. If you are more than 2 hrs away from medical assistance, respiratory support (e.g. mouth-to-mouth resuscitation) may be necessary.
- The life threatening effects of a cytotoxic snake bite (e.g. puff adder) develop late (6-24 hours).
- Wait for medical assistance to arrive
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