Adventures in the wild in certain areas can carry risks, like being bitten by a venomous snake. This situation is a medical condition that is classified as an emergency because it can cause loss of life if not treated immediately.
Basically, expelling venom or venom is a snake's attempt to immobilize prey. Usually, snakes will bite if they feel disturbed or threatened. Without proper treatment, snake venom can be fatal.
First Aid for Snakebite Victims
World Health Organization (WHO) records that there are more than 100,000 deaths per year worldwide due to snake bites. That's why it's important to know what to do if you or someone you're with is bitten by a snake. Here are a few things to consider:
- Remain calm and leave immediately or take the victim to the nearest health facility for assistance.
- Keep in mind the shape, color and size of the snake that bit you.
- If you are the person with the person who was bitten by the snake, do not leave the victim alone.
- Never suck snake venom from the victim's body. Also, don't apply anything to the snake-bitten area, including chemicals, ice, or warm objects.
- To prevent the venom from spreading to other areas of the body, try to keep the area bitten by the snake from moving.
- Loosen clothes if possible.
- Free the bite area from objects such as jewelry or shoes.
- Avoid consuming alcoholic or caffeinated beverages. Both risk increasing the absorption of snake venom by the body.
Patients who are bitten by snakes usually need to be observed in the hospital, for at least 24 hours. This is necessary because this antitoxin can cause severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) in some people. Therefore, this drug can only be given by professional medical personnel. At the hospital, the victim will be given an IV if the blood pressure drops significantly. In addition, blood transfusions may be given to patients who have lost a lot of blood.
Pain experienced during the recovery period can generally be relieved by taking painkillers. In general, adults who are bitten by snakes take longer to recover than children who usually need about 1-2 weeks of administration of anti-venom drugs or anti-venom serum. However, recovery time may vary depending on the type of snake that bit.
How to Prevent Snake Bites
Given the extremely dangerous risks involved, it's important to know how to prevent yourself or your partner from being bitten by a snake. Do the methods below:
- If you see a snake, never try to disturb it, such as approaching and touching it, lifting or throwing stones at it.
- It's best not to move if you happen to be there or see a snake passing by, so that the snake doesn't feel threatened.
- Wear long pants and boots when traveling to places where snakes are suspected of being habitat, such as forests, gardens or rice fields.
- Pay attention to signs around the area you are in, especially with regard to warnings against snakes.
- Never put your hand in a rock hole or crevice. Use a branch or stick to reach for something.
- When adventuring and want to set up a tent, you should choose a place away from swamps, wet land areas and places suspected of snake nests.
The risk of being bitten by a snake is greater when in the wild, but it can also occur in residential areas, even indoors. Don't panic if you see someone else or yourself being bitten by a snake. Immediately carry out first aid as described above, then immediately take him to the nearest hospital or health facility for further treatment.
