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[Lon]

I did some Google Searching around the net.  Found out some things about snake bites, but basically the top recommendation is to get medical assistance as soon as possible.

This is fine advice and all, but what can one to do save one's life if a person is bitten by a venomous snake on a 5 day hiking trip into the wilderness?  Or even just on a one day hiking trip away from civilization? No cell phone reception out there.  Does one just hike 10-50 (1-3 days of hiking) miles back to get help? Any actions one can take to improve a snake bike victims odds of survival if you can't get medical assistance for at least 12-24 hours?

Id imagine after 24 hours the venom will have largely done its work.  I know dogs occasionally get bitten by rattle snakes and survive.

There exists some suction snakebite kits, but I read they are not all that great...

Perhaps you can try the suction, lower the bitten area below heart level, tightly (not too tightly though) wrap just above the bite and try to get medical assistance.

[deathtotheweird]

just a tip: don't get bitten by a snake.

wear jeans, be aware of your surroundings. or carry a taurus judge

[PsySal]

... Wait, were you bitten by a snake or is this research for a game?

[SirNiko]

Tourniquet if you don't have anything better to use. You can also try sucking the poison out of the wound, but I'm not sure if that actually works or just makes for a good movie scene.

The best solution is to avoid snake bites if you're away from civilization.

If you do get bitten by a snake and post on TIGSource, please include a 24 hour countdown timer at the bottom of your post.

-SirNiko

[Contrary]

Man up and ignore it. If you die it's because you're a pussy.

[Bandages]

Suck the poison out. Then spit it into the eyes of your enemies.

[Lon]

@Bandages
Oh ho, I like this.
Perhaps one should...
Suck the poison out, then bite the snake with the venom still in your mouth and give the snake a taste of his own medicine.

@Contrary
You are very right, not a concern for a real man.

@allen, Righto, don't get bit. I have yet to get a snake bite and so have my brothers. My bro even managed to avoid getting bit when a rattle snake fall/slide of cliffs at em, surprises them by the pool side or hide under the deck/stairs.  
(Reminds, me, a bit off topic, but did you know that rattle snakes occasionally swim in lakes and attempt take a rest on swimmers/water skiers and boats in the lake? No joke, I know people who quite water skiing because of trouble they have had with swimming rattle snakes.) Sometimes, through not too often, snakes approach people, but I don't think they do so intentionally... (unless they need to take a breather while swimming across a lake).

@SirNiko Sounds like good advice.
No bites yet, but I do wonder how long a person has if they get a bad bite. Or when you would know you survived the worst of it. I am sure it varies with body size, health, and venom injected.

@PsySal, nah, I wasn't bitten, nor was I researching for a game, mostly just out of curiosity or to know what to do if some one foolishly got bitten by a venomous snake in the wilderness(some kids I know have caught snakes, handled them a bit then were warned by park rangers/parents that the snake is actually a baby rattle snake. Some adults mess with snakes too, these people sound like prime snake bite victims they are asking for trouble), or some careless person just got incredibly unlucky.   However a venom/poison game-play mechanic could be lots of fun. Hmm.

"3,500,000/1 DYING OF A SNAKE BITE.

SNAKE bites kill an estimated 25,000 people a year. More people die from snakebite in India than in any other country in the world, with the total death toll estimated I to average 10 - 12,000 annually."
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-world/2008/05/30/scientists-calculate-odd-ways-to-die-115875-17495916/

[Grif]

http://everything2.com/title/How+to+treat+a+poisonous+snake+bite

Might be useful. Indicates some things not to do that you might think you should. Especially tourniquets. Them's bad news, apparently.

[Seth]

Amputate.

[moi]

PROTIP: there are some body areas that are not easy to suck on.

[Tycho Brahe]

and some areas more fun to suck on 

[Toeofdoom]

They have to get bitten by a snake first. Is it really worth it?

Wait a minute... "snake"

This thread is going places.

[B_ill]

Especially tourniquets. Them's bad news, apparently.

Apparently, completely stopping blood flow to part of your body isn't healthy.

[Grif]

Apparently, completely stopping blood flow to part of your body isn't healthy.

It sounds like common sense, but, y'know, when people get their first aid advice from 24 and Steven Seagal movies, you can't take anything for granted.

[B_ill]

Apparently, completely stopping blood flow to part of your body isn't healthy.

It sounds like common sense, but, y'know, when people get their first aid advice from 24 and Steven Seagal movies, you can't take anything for granted.

If you actually read the link, it still says that it's a good idea to apply pressure using bandages, etc to slow the flow of blood from the affected area...just not completely shut it off.

[Gainsworthy]

Tourniquet if you don't have anything better to use. You can also try sucking the poison out of the wound, but I'm not sure if that actually works or just makes for a good movie scene.

I'm almost certain that won't work. Your body isn't a sponge, and that venom's already oozing 'round the localised blood stream by the time you register and act. Hell, probably make it worse.

If I remember right, you minimise movement (ESPECIALLY the snakebit limb, also rest of body), compress the limb FROM THE TOP DOWN (bandage from armpit/shoulder to wound - bandages are best, shirts work too) and try to get some medical aid.

IF you're completely alone though... you are an adult human, and snakes don't always pack the bite full of venom. Wouldn't necessarily kill. You'd be in a helluva bind, though. Guess it'd be down to luck.

Rest, don't hike out. After all, the stuff takes advantage of one's bloodstream. Leads to paralysis by disabling nervous system, I think? If you can get carried out quickly, do so.


But hell, this is all memory. I'm sure I'm missing something. Find a book/website/pamphlet on first aid, ja? Memorise that stuff, print it out if need be.


EDIT: 

http://everything2.com/title/How+to+treat+a+poisonous+snake+bite

Might be useful. Indicates some things not to do that you might think you should. Especially tourniquets. Them's bad news, apparently.

Should've Read the Thread. Listen to Grif's website.

[The Monster King]

bite the snake back, then kill it and ingest its heart

it will grant you immunity to its venom

dont eat too many snakes though you might find out that you are what you eat...

[Fishymuffin]

Using a tourniquet on a non-lethal snake-bite seems to be a long running joke among first-aid instructors. Though I doubt it was very funny for the people that had their arms amputated this way.

[Bandages]

Using a tourniquet on a non-lethal snake-bite seems to be a long running joke among first-aid instructors. Though I doubt it was very funny for the people that had their arms amputated this way.

Amputees seldom "get" irony.