{"id":105,"date":"2014-02-15T17:39:40","date_gmt":"2014-02-15T15:39:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.4x4direct.co.za\/blog\/?p=105"},"modified":"2014-02-15T18:44:12","modified_gmt":"2014-02-15T16:44:12","slug":"snake-bite-info","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.4x4direct.co.za\/blog\/snake-bite-info\/","title":{"rendered":"Snake Bite Info"},"content":{"rendered":"

Here is a very useful article on snake bites by Mediclinic<\/a><\/p>\n

There are approximately 180 species of snakes in South Africa. Of these, about 25 are medically significant, with much fewer being fatal. People are most often bitten on the foot, ankle or leg, or whilst sleeping (if sleeping in the veld) and most bites occur in the late afternoon or evening. Children are at greater risk of death or significant injury due
\nto the high poison to body mass ratio. This leaflet will help you to identify the most venomous snakes and know how to react in the event of a bite.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Cape cobra<\/strong>
\nThese snakes have highly neurotoxic venom that attacks
\nthe nervous system. They are the most potent of the African
\ncobras and responsible for the majority of snake bite fatalities
\nin the Western Cape. Within minutes of being bitten, the bite
\narea begins to swell. The window period to paralysis is about
\ntwo to four hours (less in children).
\nHalf of patients will experience respiratory failure (decreased
\nor disordered breathing) and may require CPR. The use of
\nantivenom does not reverse respiratory failure and patients
\nmust be ventilated until the toxin is metabolised to prevent
\ndeath.<\/p>\n

Puff adder<\/strong>
\nLess than 10% of bites are fatal. Bites cause painful, progressive swelling due to cytotoxins in the venom, with swelling in the bite area progressing at 1 \u2013 15cm per hour for up to seven days. puff adder venom also attacks platelets in the blood, causing bleeding. Antivenom use is beneficial.<\/p>\n

Berg adder<\/strong>
\nBerg adder bites cause paralysis of the eye muscles and a
\ndelayed paralysis of the respiratory muscles and can also
\ncause significant swelling.<\/p>\n

Boomslang (tree snake)<\/strong>
\nThese snakes have the largest eyes of all snakes.
\nColouration is extremely variable, making them very
\ndifficult to identify. Bites cause consumption of clotting
\nfactors in blood and destruction of red blood cells and
\nplatelets (haemotoxin). Serious symptoms can take up to
\n48 hours to present.<\/p>\n

Rinkals<\/strong>
\nThese snakes feign death when threatened. Their venom
\ncontains a very dangerous neurotoxin, which can cause
\nrespiratory failure but is rarely fatal. Antivenom is effective
\nagainst rinkals bites.<\/p>\n

AVOIDING SNAKES IS YOUR BEST DEFENCE<\/strong>
\nConfrontations with snakes are common, in the event you do
\nencounter a snake, the best advice is to leave it alone.
\nFollow these steps to make sure you avoid snakes:
\n\u2022\u00a0 Most snake bites are caused by accidentally standing
\non a snake. If you are walking in the bush or veld, wear
\nsensible shoes and long trousers, not sandals
\n\u2022\u00a0 Don\u2019t walk around barefoot outside at night
\n(many snake bites occur within two hours of darkness)
\n\u2022\u00a0 Keep your eyes open and watch where you\u2019re going.
\nIf you are mountain climbing, don\u2019t put your hands in
\nplaces that are not fully visible
\n\u2022\u00a0 Don\u2019t step over logs or large rocks, as snakes may be
\nsunning themselves on the opposite side<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 If you come across a snake, stand still and retreat slowly,
\nsnakes never chase people
\n\u2022\u00a0 Don\u2019t try to kill a snake. Shooting them or hitting them
\nwith a spade is asking for trouble
\n\u2022\u00a0 Do not tamper with a dead snake, some of them feign
\ndeath as a defence, with the body turned to the side or
\nupside down
\nSome snakes are protected species and interfering with
\nthem is against the law. Snakes are an important part of the
\necosystem; they feed on rodents, etc. and damaging their
\npopulation numbers out of ignorance could lead to other
\nproblems for the community.<\/p>\n

FIRST AID FOR SNAKE BITE VICTIMS<\/strong>
\n\u2022\u00a0 Move the victim away from the snake as soon as it is safe
\nto do so
\n\u2022\u00a0 Identifying the snake is helpful but not essential (if
\npossible, take a picture of the snake on your cell phone)
\n\u2022\u00a0 Don\u2019t waste time or risk further injury by confronting or
\nkilling the snake
\n\u2022\u00a0 Early, appropriate medical attention is essential
\n\u2022\u00a0 Keep the patient seated and calm, panic and excess
\nmovement will cause the venom to move around the body
\n\u2022\u00a0 Remove jewellery and constricting garments
\n(cut them off with minimum movement)
\n\u2022\u00a0 Keep the affected limb lower than the heart
\n\u2022\u00a0 Apply a splint to the length of the limb, taking care to
\npad pressure points
\n\u2022\u00a0 Cover the entire affected limb with a firm bandage, tight
\nenough to allow the passage of two fingers, to inhibit the
\nlymphatic drainage of the limb and decrease the transport of the toxin around the body
\n\u2022 Monitor the victim\u2019s respiration
\n\u2022\u00a0 Be ready to give CPR if breathing is absent or inadequate<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

………. click here to download the full article<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Here is a very useful article on snake bites by Mediclinic There are approximately 180 species …<\/p>\n

Snake Bite Info<\/span> Read more \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[29],"class_list":["post-105","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-general","tag-snake-bite"],"yoast_head":"\nSnake bite information for South Africa<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"There are approximately 180 species of snakes in South Africa. Of these, about 25 are medically significant, with much fewer being fatal. 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