First Aid and Pre-Hospital Management of Venomous Snakebites
Author
Parker-Cote, Jennifer; Meggs, William J.
Abstract
Background: Antivenom is the definitive treatment for venomous snakebites, but is
expensive and not available in many rural and poorly developed regions. Timely transportation
to facilities that stock and administer antivenom may not be available in rural areas with poorly
developed emergency medical services. These factors have led to consideration of measures to
delay onset of toxicity or alternatives to antivenom therapy. Methods: PubMed searches were
conducted for articles on snakebite treatment, or that contained first aid, emergency medical services,
tourniquets, pressure immobilization bandages, suction devices, and lymphatic flow inhibitors.
Results: The reviewed articles describe how venoms spread after a venomous snakebite on an
extremity, list the proposed first aid measures for delaying the spread of venoms, and evaluate the
scientific studies that support or refute methods of snakebite first aid. The recommendations for
field treatment of venomous snakebites will be discussed. Conclusions: The evidence suggests that
pressure immobilization bandages and related strategies are the best interventions to delay onset of
systemic toxicity from venomous snakebites but may increase local toxicity for venoms that destroy
tissue at the site of the bite, so their use should be individualized to the circumstances and nature of
the venom.
Date
2018-04-24
Citation:
APA:
Parker-Cote, Jennifer, & Meggs, William J.. (April 2018).
First Aid and Pre-Hospital Management of Venomous Snakebites.
,
(),
-
. Retrieved from
http://hdl.handle.net/10342/8492
MLA:
Parker-Cote, Jennifer, and Meggs, William J..
"First Aid and Pre-Hospital Management of Venomous Snakebites". .
. (),
April 2018.
September 21, 2023.
http://hdl.handle.net/10342/8492.
Chicago:
Parker-Cote, Jennifer and Meggs, William J.,
"First Aid and Pre-Hospital Management of Venomous Snakebites," , no.
(April 2018),
http://hdl.handle.net/10342/8492 (accessed
September 21, 2023).
AMA:
Parker-Cote, Jennifer, Meggs, William J..
First Aid and Pre-Hospital Management of Venomous Snakebites. .
April 2018;
():
.
http://hdl.handle.net/10342/8492. Accessed
September 21, 2023.
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