Snakes and First Aid

Gowri ShankarBlog: http://pogirigowrishankar.wordpress.com/

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Gowri Shankar, Agumbe Rainforest Research Station, 2010

What are Reptiles ?Features

• Have scales; no fur or feathers.• Are vertebrates• Cold-blooded and need to regulate their body

temperature (Ectothermic)• Regularly shed their skin (Ecdysis)

Reptiles are broadly classified as:

• Crocodilians• Lizards• Snakes• Turtles & Tortoises

Gowri Shankar, Agumbe Rainforest Research Station, 2010

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Gowri Shankar, Agumbe Rainforest Research Station, 2010

Venomous SnakesFour common snakes, responsible for most venomous bites in India called ‘The BIG FOUR’ are:

Common Cobra (Naja naja)

Russell’s Viper (Daboia russelli)

Krait (Bungarus caeruleus)

Saw Scaled Viper (Echis carinatus)

Gowri Shankar, Agumbe Rainforest Research Station, 2010

Common Cobra (Naja naja)

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Gowri Shankar, Agumbe Rainforest Research Station, 2010

Russell’s Viper (Daboia russelli)

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Gowri Shankar, Agumbe Rainforest Research Station, 2010

Common Krait (Bungarus caeruleus) 

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Gowri Shankar, Agumbe Rainforest Research Station, 2010

© Srikanth Kashyap

Saw scaled Viper (Echis carinatus)

Gowri Shankar, Agumbe Rainforest Research Station, 2010

NON-VENOMOUS SNAKES

Gowri Shankar, Agumbe Rainforest Research Station, 2010

Common Vine Snake (Ahaetulla nasuta)

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Gowri Shankar, Agumbe Rainforest Research Station, 2010

Rat snake (Ptyas mucosa mucosa)

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Gowri Shankar, Agumbe Rainforest Research Station, 2010

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Checkered keel back (Xenochrophis piscator)

Gowri Shankar, Agumbe Rainforest Research Station, 2010

Olive Keelback (Atretium schistosum)

Gowri Shankar, Agumbe Rainforest Research Station, 2010

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Green Keelback (Macropisthodon plumbicolor)

Gowri Shankar, Agumbe Rainforest Research Station, 2010

Snake Bites, Symptoms &

First Aid

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Gowri Shankar, Agumbe Rainforest Research Station, 2010

Snake Bite

• Humans are not the natural prey of snakes

• Snakes attack humans mainly in defense

• Not all snake bites are venomous

• Prevention is better than cure

Gowri Shankar, Agumbe Rainforest Research Station, 2010

Venom

• Is a complex mixture of toxins, used for killing, digesting prey, and for defense.

There are two basic types of snake venom:

• Neurotoxic, which affects the nerves (venom of cobras and kraits);

• Haemotoxic, which affects blood, blood vessels and tissue (that of vipers).

Gowri Shankar, Agumbe Rainforest Research Station, 2010

SYMPTOMS© Wikipedia

Gowri Shankar, Agumbe Rainforest Research Station, 2010

General symptoms of a venomous snake bite

• Wound site: Fang marks, discoloration, burning sensation, blistering of skin, local pain, oedema

• Bleeding from the gums and the wound, that does not seem to stop

• Progressive swelling of the bitten area

• Drooping eyelids

• Difficulty in speaking and breathing

• Drowsiness, unsteadiness

Gowri Shankar, Agumbe Rainforest Research Station, 2010

FIRST AID Calm and reassure the patient. Remove any constricting items Completely immobilize the patient Keep the wound clean The victim should be kept warm. The only remedy for venomous snakebite is

anti-venom serum.

• Note: ONLY IF SAFELY POSSIBLE, try and get a good look at the snake (or photograph it) to help the doctor identify it.

Gowri Shankar, Agumbe Rainforest Research Station, 2010

FIRST AID - DONTS

• Do not give sedatives to calm the patient.• Do not tie an electric cable, string or rubber tourniquet

and do not cut the bite site, or the bitten limb.• Do not use ice packs, electric shock or suction at the

site of bite.• Do not elevate the limb.• Do not use potassium permanganate.• Do not let the patient walk or run; keep them

immobilized.• Do not administer alcoholic beverage or any

medication• Do not give food or water, as both may be a choking

hazard if the person vomits.• Do not waste time with quack ‘remedies’.

http://www.snakecell.in/snakebite.html

THANK YOU

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Email: gowrishankar.arrs@gmail.com

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