The rainy season is here with us again. Many people are buying sweaters, boots, raincoats, scarves, and Marvins to keep themselves warm.
Drinking hot tea/coffee is also another way of dealing with the cold to avoid getting pneumonia.
What many people will not remember is that during the rainy season, snakes usually get out of their holes to get some warmth from the sun. Snake bites are therefore common and if not treated on time, may lead to death.
While some snakes are not dangerous, most of the snake species are very venomous and their bites are lethal.
In case of a snake bite, the following precaution/first aid should be carried out on the victim while waiting for medical help from a specialist:
According to www.webmd.com, the victim should be moved beyond the striking distance of the snake. Some people should kill the snake to prevent another person from being bitten. The victim should also lie down with the wound below the heart.The victim should be kept calm to avoid the venom from spreading.
Another first aid for a snake bite is to tie the wound with a loose sterile bandage.
According to another health website www.paradisefirstaid.com, snake bites are divided into two types. Dry bites from a non-venomous snake and venomous bite from a venomous snake.
To be on the safe side, all bites should be treated as venomous bites. The site further says that snake venom is carried in the lymphatic system and the aim of the snake bite first aid is to reduce the lymphatic flow by applying continuous firm pressure over the affected limb, a process known as pressure immobilization technique (PIT).
The Following are some of the things that should NOT be done.
Do not wash the snake bit site.
Do not suck the venom.
Do not attempt to cut the venom out of the limb.