Snake bite

[oly]

Found this on another site.

Snake bite kit useless?

What To DO if You or Someone Else is Bitten by a Snake
If you or someone you know are bitten, try to see and remember the color and shape of the snake, which can help with treatment of the snake bite.
Keep the bitten person still and calm. This can slow down the spread of venom if the snake is poisonous.
Seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Dial 911 or call local Emergency Medical Services (EMS).
Apply first aid if you cannot get the person to the hospital right away.
Lay or sit the person down with the bite below the level of the heart.
Tell him/her to stay calm and still.
Cover the bite with a clean, dry dressing.
What NOT To Do if You or Someone Else is Bitten by a Snake
Do not pick up the snake or try to trap it (this may put you or someone else at risk for a bite).
Do not apply a tourniquet.
Do not slash the wound with a knife.
Do not suck out the venom.
Do not apply ice or immerse the wound in water.
Do not drink alcohol as a pain killer.
Do not drink caffeinated beverages.

http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/snakebite.asp

[Diesel]

Most of the imte it would be hours before you could get medical attention...One problem this assume you can get medical attention, what if you are out in the woods, and medical attention is not an option.

Found this on another site.

Snake bite kit useless?

What To DO if You or Someone Else is Bitten by a Snake
If you or someone you know are bitten, try to see and remember the color and shape of the snake, which can help with treatment of the snake bite.
Keep the bitten person still and calm. This can slow down the spread of venom if the snake is poisonous.
Seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Dial 911 or call local Emergency Medical Services (EMS).
Apply first aid if you cannot get the person to the hospital right away.
Lay or sit the person down with the bite below the level of the heart.
Tell him/her to stay calm and still.
Cover the bite with a clean, dry dressing.
What NOT To Do if You or Someone Else is Bitten by a Snake
Do not pick up the snake or try to trap it (this may put you or someone else at risk for a bite).
Do not apply a tourniquet.
Do not slash the wound with a knife.
Do not suck out the venom.
Do not apply ice or immerse the wound in water.
Do not drink alcohol as a pain killer.
Do not drink caffeinated beverages.

http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/snakebite.asp

[Lostinoz]

What NOT To Do if You or Someone Else is Bitten by a Snake
Do not drink alcohol as a pain killer.
Do not drink caffeinated beverages.

I can understand the no caffeinated beverages, but why no alcohol? I don't drink, but always thought that alcohol acted as a sedative?

[oly]

What NOT To Do if You or Someone Else is Bitten by a Snake
Do not drink alcohol as a pain killer.
Do not drink caffeinated beverages.

I can understand the no caffeinated beverages, but why no alcohol? I don't drink, but always thought that alcohol acted as a sedative?

Increases your heat rate.

[Diesel]

Increases your heat rate.

Nope

Blood thinner, will help the venom course through your body faster

[Lostinoz]

Increases your heat rate.

I honestly did not know that alcohol did that. :) I learned something today. I tried drinking a beer one time, outside of the taste which was terrible, I just wanted to sleep. :)

[oly]

I think Diesel is correct

[pathfinder3081]

Is it okay if I take a drink if someone else is bitten? (smile) Bad joke, however I understand the tourniquet rule, but what about slight pressure on the pressure points through out the body? If it was on your leg or arm would this not help / slow down the travel to the heart and the rest of the vital organs. And what will be the use of a snake bite kit?
I have heard the suction thing is of little help. But what about a good "X" and just let it free bleed abit if it is at the right location, assuming the ankle, lower leg or hand.

[dogboy]

I am an active duty Florida Paramedic. For the record DO NOT apply a tourniquet. Use a "constricting band". Ideally that will be a two inch wide band such as a belt which is applied tight enough to slow blood but loose enough to force two fingers between the band and the patient's skin.

[Dracos]

Dog boy is correct. No tourniquets. You want to prevent the toxin from traveling through the lymph system. I raise chickens. Therefore I have mice. Rattlesnakes are my friends. Imagine having no arms or legs. Snakes can't eat you and they don't want to bite you. Waste toxin. Stay alert. Don't step on them. More people die from "treatments" than would die from being bitten. Its almost impossible for a rattlesnake to kill an adult human.

[shadowwalker]

Awwww for what it's worth. Them southern boys I ran with in Tennessee told me to watch out for "Rattlers and Cottonmouths, them wuz bad un's. But them little Copperhads just give you a real sore spot where they bit". They said I should be over it in a week.