Don't Suck Venom Out of a Snakebite

[protectionist]

We've all seen western movies where some cowboy gets bit by a rattlesnake, makes a small cut with a knife and then sucks out the venom and spits it out. This might look good in movies, but in real life it is not considered an advisable action.

Snakebite kits exist with a suction device, but these have been found to be almost totally useless.
What medical experts DO recommend is >>
1. keep as still and calm as possible
2. keep the bite wound physically below the heart, thereby slowing the spread of venom throughout the body,
3. remove any constricting jewelry in the event of swelling.
4. take note of the size and color of the snake
5. wear protective clothing - tall boots are especially good (they may not be as comfortable as sneakers but they are a lot safer, and snake bites are the main reason why boots have always been part of soldiers' uniforms.)

MSN

www.msn.com

 

[BULLDOG]

Classic joke
Doctor says you gonna die.

 

[protectionist]

Classic joke
Doctor says you gonna die.

About 7,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes in the United States annually. Only 0.2% (1 out of 500) venomous snakebites result in death. On average, 1 to 2 people in Texas die each year from venomous snakebites.

percent of deaths from poisonous snakebite - Search

www.bing.com

 

[Baron Von Murderpaws]

Better options to sucking out poison...........

1. Squeeze it out....but not so hard you break skin or blood vessels. (sort of massagingly squeeze it out)

2. Put a highly clean, fiberous cloth on the bite and hold firmly till you get help. This should help keep the poison at the top level of skin as it sucks out the moisture from the wound.

3. Make a thick paste out of clean, dry baking soda and clean water. Put the paste on the bite and wrap it securely till you get help. Baking soda supposedly sucks up the poison from the wound, or at least helps keep it at the skin surface so it doesn't go into the bloodstream.


#3 works well for bug bites as well as scorpion stings.