FIRST AID FOR SNAKEBITE
IN SOUTHERN AFRICA
First Aid for Snakebite is very important and massively effects outcome.
The methods below are tried and tested, with good outcomes.
FOR ALL SNAKEBITES:
DO NOT USE TRADITIONAL REMEDIES
DO NOT PANIC
GET TO HOSPITAL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
Main Syndrome:
PROGRESSIVE WEAKNESS
SPECIES
- Black Mamba
- Cape Cobra
- Snouted Cobra
- Green Mamba
- Anchieta’s Cobra
- Brown Forest Cobra
DO THE FOLLOWING
MAMBA BITES ONLY (Positively identified)
- Keep victim calm and re-assure
- Apply arterial tourniquet to affected arm or leg
- Protect the airway
- Assist with ventilation
- Immobilise the victim
- Rush to hospital
COBRA BITES (NON-SPITTING cobras)
- Keep victim calm
- Apply pressure bandage with assistance
- Immobilise victim
- Rush to hospital
DO NOT
- Do NOT Run
- Do NOT Panic
- Do NOT Cut or Suck at Bite Site
Main Syndromes:
COMBINED PAINFUL PROGRESSIVE SWELLING
& PROGRESSIVE WEAKNESS
SPECIES
- Rinkhals
- Berg Adder
- Coral Snake (coming soon)
- Desert Mountain Adder (coming soon)
- Shield Cobra (coming soon)
- Many-Horned Adder
DO THE FOLLOWING
- Keep victim calm
- Remove jewellery from bitten hand
- Remove shoes and socks from bitten foot
- Proceed to hospital
DO NOT
- Do NOT Run
- Do NOT Panic
- Do NOT apply a Tourniquet or Pressure Bandage
- Do NOT Cut or Suck at Bite Site
Main Syndrome:
PAINFUL PROGRESSIVE SWELLING
SPECIES
- Stiletto Snake
- Puff Adder
- Common Night Adder
- Gaboon Adder
- Mozambique Spitting Cobra
- Black Spitting Cobra
- Black-Necked Spitting Cobra
- Zebra Spitting Cobra
DO THE FOLLOWING
- Keep victim calm
- Remove jewellery from bitten hand
- Remove shoes and socks from bitten foot
- Elevate the limb
- Proceed to hospital
DO NOT
- Do NOT Run
- Do NOT Panic
- Do NOT apply a Tourniquet or Pressure Bandage
- Do NOT Cut or Suck at Bite Site
Main Syndromes:
COMBINED PAINFUL PROGRESSIVE SWELLING
& BLEEDING
SPECIES
- Puff Adder
- Gaboon Adder
- Black-Necked Spitting Cobra
DO THE FOLLOWING
- Keep victim calm
- Remove jewellery from bitten hand
- Remove shoes and socks from bitten foot
- Elevate the limb
- Proceed to hospital
DO NOT
- Do NOT Run
- Do NOT Panic
- Do NOT apply a Tourniquet or Pressure Bandage
- Do NOT Cut or Suck at Bite Site
Main Syndrome:
BLEEDING
SPECIES
- Boomslang
- Vine/Twig Snake
DO THE FOLLOWING
- Keep victim calm
- Immobilise victim
- Proceed to hospital
DO NOT
- Do NOT Run
- Do NOT Panic
- Do NOT apply a Tourniquet or Pressure Bandage
- Do NOT Cut or Suck at Bite Site
Main Syndrome:
VENOM OPHTHALMIA
(INFLAMMATION OF THE EYE)
SPECIES
- Mozambique Spitting Cobra
- Black Spitting Cobra
- Black-Necked Spitting Cobra
- Zebra Spitting Cobra
- Rinkhals
DO THE FOLLOWING
- Rinse the eyes with clean water in a spray bottle. Set the nozzle to ‘mist’.
- Spray for 5 minutes per eye.
- Consult a Doctor.
DO NOT
- DO NOT RUB THE EYES
Emergency Contact Numbers
Poison Centre:
0861 555 777
Mike Perry:
083 448 8854
