Presentation 4 PDF

SNAKE BITES
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Snake are always considered dangerous because they are most likely to
bite when they feel threatened, startled, provoked and cornered. Snakes
species greatly vary dramatically that is why they cannot be identified
easily.
Poisonous Snake bites are medical emergencies and require immediate

attention. The bite of a snake can cause severe local tissue damage and
often requires follow-up care. The right anti-venom can save a person’s
life. Even though most snakes are not poisonous, avoid picking up or
playing with any snake unless you have been properly trained.
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Two kinds of Snake bite:
z First Aid Measures:
1. Wash the bite with soap and water. However, do not attempt to clean the bitten area with any
type of chemical.
2. Protect the patient (and others, including yourself) from further bites. While identifying the
species it is desirable in certain regions, not to risk further bites or delay proper medical
treatment by attempting to capture or kill the snake. If the snake has not already fled, carefully
remove the patient from the immediate area.
3. Keep the patient calm and call for help to assist the transport of the patient to the nearest
hospital emergency room.
4. Make sure to keep the bitten limb in a functional position below the victims heart level to
minimize blood returning to the heart and other organs of the body.
5. Do not give the patient anything to eat or drink, like consumable alcohol, known vasodilators
which will speed-up the absorption of venom. Do not administer stimulants or pain medication
to the victim, unless specifically directed to do so by a physician.
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6. Remove any items or clothing which may constrict the bitten limb if it swells.
7. Keep the patient as a calm as possible.
8. Do not incise the bitten site.
9. Do not cut or squeeze the bite or suck out the venom. The old practice of sucking
and splitting out the poison is no longer recommended. If the person who does this
has wound or open sores in the mouth, or if he has tooth decay, he could also be
poisoned.
10. If medical attention cannot be obtained within 30mins., call the regional poison
center to seek advice on how to treat the victim.
WOUNDS
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A Wound is Defined as a type of Physical trauma wherein the skin is tom,cut or

punctured (an open Wound),or where Blunt force trauma causes a contusion (a
closed wound).
z OPEN WOUNDS
It can be classified according to the object that caused the wounds.
Type of Open Wounds:
▪ Incisions or Incised wounds-Caused by a clean,sharp

edged object such as a knife,a razor or a glass splinter.
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▪ Lacerations-Irregular wounds caused by a blunt impact to soft tissue

which lies over hard tissue or tearing of skin and other tissues susch as
caused by childbirth.
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▪ Abrasions (grazes)-a superficial wound in which the topmost layers of
the skin (the epidermis) are scrapped off often caused by a sliding fall onto a
rough surface
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▪ Puncture wounds-caused by an object puncturing the skin,such as a nail

or needle
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▪ Penetration wounds-caused by an object such as a knife entering the body.

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▪ Gunshot wounds-caused by a bullet or similar projectile driving into or through

the body
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CLOSE WOUNDS
Have fewer categories , but are as dangerous as open
wounds
Types of closed wounds:

▪ Contusions (bruise) - caused by blunt force trauma
that damages tissue under the skin
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▪ Hematoma (blood tumor) - caused by damage to a blood vessel that in turn

causes blood to collect under the skin
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▪ Crushing injuries - caused by a great or extreme amount of force applied

over a long period of time.
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FIRST AID TREATMENT FOR WOUNDS
SEVERE/MAJOR OPEN WOUNDS
PRIORITY WITH MAJOR WOUNDS IS TO PREVENT FURTHER BLOOD

LOSS.
1. EMERGENCY MEDICAL SHOULD BE CALLED.
2. DISPOSABLE GLOVES SHOULD BE USED. THE CASUALTY’S

CLOATHING SHOULD BE REMOVED ALL TO EXPOSE THE WOUNDS.
3. GET THE CASUALTY TO RAISE THE WOUND ABOVE THE LEVEL OF

THE LEVEL OF THE HEART AND IF THERE IS NO OBJECT EMBEDDED
IN THE WOUND, APPLY DIRECT PRESSURE TO THE AREA WITH
HIS/HER OWN HAND.
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4. HELP THE CASUALTY TO LIE DOWN. IF SHOCK IS SUSPECTED, RAISE THE CASUALTY’S
LEGS AND SUPPORT HIM/HER ON A CHAIR.
5. A STERILE DRESSING SHOULD BE APPLIED. THE DRESSING SHOULD BE SECURED WITH A

BANDAGE THAT IS TIGHT ENOUGH TO MAINTAIN PRESSURE ON THE WOUND.
6. IF BLOOD SEEPS THROUGH THE FIRST DRESSING, APPLY A SECOND DRESSING ON TOP
OF THE FIRST. IF BLOOD CONTINUES TO SEEP THOUGH THE SECOND, APPLY PRESSURE ON
DRESSINGS BY WRAPPING MORE GAUZE. YOU SHOULD NOT REMOVE THE BLOOD SOAKED
BANDAGE FROM THE WOUND BECAUSE IT WILL INTERFERE WITH THE COAGULATION OF
THE BLOOD CELLS.
7. THE INJURED PART SHOULD BE SUPPORTED IN A RAISED POSITION – A LEG SUPPORTED

ON A CHAIR OR AN ARM RESTED ACROSS THE CHEST.
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PUNCTURE WOUNDS
1. STOP THE BLEEDING. MINIOR CUTS AND SCRAPES USUALLY STOP BLEEDING ON
THEIR OWN. IF THEY DON’T APPLY GENTLE PRESSURE WITH A CLEAN CLOTH OR
BANDAGE. IF BLEEDING PERSISTS-IF THE BLOOD SPURTS OR CONTINUES TO
FLOW AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES OF PRESSURE-SEEK EMERGENCY
ASSISTANCE.
2. CLEAN THE WOUND. RINSE THE WOUND WELL WITH CLEAR WATER. TWEEZERS
CLEANED WITH ALCOHOL MAY BE USED TO REMOVE SMALL, SUPERFICIAL
PARTICLES. IF LARGER DEBRIS STILL REMAIN MORE DEEPLY EMBEDDED IN THE
WOUND, SEE A DOCTOR. THOROUGH WOUND CLEANING REDUCES THE RISK OF
TETANUS. TO CLEAN THE AREA AROUND THE WOUND, USE SOAP AND A CLEAN
WASHCLOTH.
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3. APPLY AN ANTIBIOTIC. AFTER YOU CLEAN THE WOUND, APPLY A THIN LAYER OF AN
ANTIBIOTIC CREAM OR OINTMENT (NEOSPORIN, POLYSPORIN) TO MAINTAIN AND
HELP KEEP THE SURFACE MOIST. THESE PRODUCTS DON’T MAKE THE WOUND HEAL
FASTER, BUT WILL
4. BUILD UP PADDING ON EITHER SIDE OF THE OBJECT (USING DRESSING PADS,

ROLLED-UP BANDAGES OR SIMILAR), SO THAT YOU ARE ABLE TO BANDAGE OVER
THE OBJECT WITHOUT PRESSING ON IT.
5. SECURE AN AMBULANCE IF YOU HAVE NOT SENT SOMEONE TO DO SUCH.

(ALTERNATIVELY IF THE WOUND IS MINOR, THE WOUND IS NOT BLEEDING HEAVILY,
AND THE CASUALTY IS COMFORTABLE, ARRANGE THE TRANSPORT OF THE
CASUALTY TO THE HOSPITAL OR BY ANY OTHER MEANS). MONITOR THE CASUALTY’S
CONDITION UNTIL HELP ARRIVES.
6. WATCH FOR SIGNS OF INFECTION, SEE YOUR DOCTOR IF THE WOUND DOESN’T
HEAL OR IF YOU NOTICE ANY REDNESS, DRAINAGE , WARMTH OR SWELLING.
If an object is embedded in a wound
If there is anzobject embedded in a wound or an open fracture where a broken bone sticks through
the skin, pressure should not be applied over the bone or object. Never try to removed an embedded
object yourself.
Treat as follow
1. Put on disposable gloves, if available to protect yourself from infection
2. Press firmly on either side of embedded object to push the edges of the wound together
3. If the wound is in a limb, raise and support the limb above the level of the heart
4. Help the casualty to lie down ( on a blanket or carpet to protect them from cold) if you suspect that
shock may develop raise the casualty legs and support them on a chair
5. Build up padding on either sied of the object (using dressing pads, rolled up bandages, or similar),
so that you are able to bandage over the object without pressing on it.
6. Secure an ambulance if you have not sent some one to dosuch. (Alternatively it the wound is
minor, the wound is not bleeding heavily, and the casually is comfortable , arrange the transport of
the casually to the hospital or by any other means). Monitor the casualty's condition until help arives.
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Major closed wounds ( hematoma and crushing injuries)
1. Put ice on the wounds ( recommended in instances 20 minutes on 20 minutes

off) However, direct contact of ice with the skin is discouraged. As this may cause
ice burn ir abrascion, wrap the ice in a towel the burns
2. Use a pressure dressing or manual compression to slow or stop internal

bleeding.
3. Elevate if the injury is a limb, elevate injured tissue above the heart. This will
help to swelling down which derease pain
4. Splint, if necessary splint above and below of the wound to slow or stop
bleeding and to reduce pain
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THANK YOU FOR

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SNAKE BITES

Poisonous Snake bites are medical emergencies and require immediate

7. Keep the patient as a calm as possible.

8. Do not incise the bitten site.

A Wound is Defined as a type of Physical trauma wherein the skin is tom,cut or

Type of Open Wounds:

▪ Incisions or Incised wounds-Caused by a clean,sharp

▪ Lacerations-Irregular wounds caused by a blunt impact to soft tissue

▪ Puncture wounds-caused by an object puncturing the skin,such as a nail

▪ Penetration wounds-caused by an object such as a knife entering the body.

▪ Gunshot wounds-caused by a bullet or similar projectile driving into or through

Types of closed wounds:

▪ Hematoma (blood tumor) - caused by damage to a blood vessel that in turn

▪ Crushing injuries - caused by a great or extreme amount of force applied

SEVERE/MAJOR OPEN WOUNDS

PRIORITY WITH MAJOR WOUNDS IS TO PREVENT FURTHER BLOOD

1. EMERGENCY MEDICAL SHOULD BE CALLED.

2. DISPOSABLE GLOVES SHOULD BE USED. THE CASUALTY’S

3. GET THE CASUALTY TO RAISE THE WOUND ABOVE THE LEVEL OF

5. A STERILE DRESSING SHOULD BE APPLIED. THE DRESSING SHOULD BE SECURED WITH A

7. THE INJURED PART SHOULD BE SUPPORTED IN A RAISED POSITION – A LEG SUPPORTED

4. BUILD UP PADDING ON EITHER SIDE OF THE OBJECT (USING DRESSING PADS,

5. SECURE AN AMBULANCE IF YOU HAVE NOT SENT SOMEONE TO DO SUCH.

1. Put ice on the wounds ( recommended in instances 20 minutes on 20 minutes

2. Use a pressure dressing or manual compression to slow or stop internal

THANK YOU FOR

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