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Civilian Emergency Platform
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Someone was bitten by a snake but the species cannot be identified.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — NOT EXPERT REVIEWED — NOT FOR PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — One or two puncture marks, pain, swelling, or bleeding at the bite site.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drooping eyelids, or difficulty breathing.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Rapid swelling spreading up the limb or darkening skin around the bite.
Scene hazards: Unknown snake still present, Night-time visibility, Delayed symptoms
Do not walk the person long distances if ambulance can reach you.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Move the person away from the snake if it is still nearby — do not try to catch or kill it.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112 or 108 — say "snake bite" and your exact location.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Keep the bitten person as still and calm as possible.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Remove tight jewellery, watches, or rings near the bite before swelling starts.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Keep the bitten limb below heart level and immobilized — use a splint or sling if available.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Wash the area gently with clean water if available, but do not delay going to hospital.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Note the time of the bite and any description or photo of the snake from a safe distance.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112 or 108. Say: "Snake bite. Person is conscious. Need ambulance to nearest hospital with antivenom."
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Stay on speaker. Tell them which limb was bitten and whether breathing is normal.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do not drive yourself if symptoms are worsening — wait for ambulance if possible.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Every snake bite needs emergency hospital evaluation — treat unknown bites as potentially venomous.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Antivenom decisions are made by doctors — arrive at hospital as soon as safely possible.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT apply a tourniquet or tight band above the bite — this can cause limb loss without helping.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT cut the wound, suck out venom, or use a suction device — these do not work and cause infection.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT give alcohol, herbal remedies, or ice directly on the bite.
MYTH: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If there is no pain or swelling right away, the snake was not venomous
REALITY: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Some deadly snake bites have delayed or minimal early symptoms. Hospital evaluation is still required.
DANGER: DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Person stays home and develops paralysis or bleeding hours later.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Many venomous and non-venomous snakes look similar. Waiting to identify the snake wastes time when antivenom may be needed.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Some highly venomous bites (krait) cause little pain initially — do not rely on pain level to decide urgency.