Based on his more than 30 years of experience treating snakebite, physician Paul S. Auerbach of the Stanford University School of Medicine dispels some myths about what to do if bitten by a poisonous snake.
He warns against the use of the "extractor devices" carried by some campers and hikers. Designed to make an incision at the site of the bite and then to suck out the poison, these devices have never been proven to be effective. Instead, they increase the risk of infection and death of tissue near the site of the bite.
He also cautions about the placement of a tourniquet on an arm or leg — where more than 90 percent of snakebites occur. While a tourniquet does slow the spread of venom to the rest of the body, using one hasn't been proven to save lives. Rather, such a device greatly increases the risk of tissue death at the site of the bite and can even cause loss of the limb.
Another failed strategy, says Auerbach, is an attempt to slow the spread of poison by applying ice to the snakebite site, or by immersing the extremity in ice-cold water. He says that these measures may drive more venom deeper into the tissues where, because the blood flow has been slowed by the cold water, the poison can further increase the death of tissue.
So, what are the best first-aid measures for snakebite? First, according to Dr. Auerbach, have someone at the scene with a cell phone and car keys, so the victim can either drive or be driven as quickly as possible to treatment with anti-venom serum. Second, don't waste time on the ineffective measures cited above.
Prior to the availability of anti-venom, the mortality rate from poisonous snakebites in the U.S. was about 35 percent. Today, for those not receiving anti-venom after getting a high dose of snake venom, the death rate is still 4 percent within an hour, 17 percent within about 6 hours, and 68 percent during the following 48 hours. The mortality rate is now less than 1 percent for those treated with anti-venom.
If you will be hiking or camping in an area inhabited by rattlesnakes, water moccasins, copperheads, or coral snakes, plan ahead so you will know how to quickly get to the nearest medical facility if you are bitten by a poisonous snake.
