You have seen the movies and heard the stories. Someone gets bit by a Rattle Snake in the middle of nowhere. Their life is almost at it’s end. That is, until their buddy pulls out his pocket knife, cuts open the wound and sucks out the venom.

Obviously, this scenario is not likely to happen as the majority of snake bites occur within reasonable distance of civilization. Also, people who frequently work or live in these areas carry commercial snake bite kits. The question is, do they really work?

Most snake bite kits come equipped with suction devices, a scalpel, and a tourniquet of some sort. They typically direct you to cut and suction the site and lightly apply the tourniquet to reduce the spread of the venom. The majority of the bite kits that I reviewed recommend that this only be done if the nearest medical help is greater than 30 minutes away.

Every medical textbook that I posses, including “Essentials of Paramedic Care” actually discourage such treatment. The common theme in textbooks includes splinting the affected limb, keeping the limb at a neutral position(at the level of the heart) and rapid transport. Supportive measures include establishing IV access, high-flow oxygen, ECG and sp02 monitoring. Packing the wound with ice, applying tourniquets or cutting the puncture site can actually cause more damage.

The only treatment that is actually going to make a big difference is anti-venom. If you are in an area where snakes are prevalent, then chances are the nearest ER will be equipped with the necessary antidote for your snake bite.

The idea of a snake bite kit sounds good to most, but not to the “experts”. So in conclusion, if you are bit by a snake, your number one priority will be to seek definitive care. Immobilizing the affected limb, keeping it at even level with the heart and keeping the victim calm will all help to slow the process. Obviously the best thing you can do, is to avoid getting bit in the first place.

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to e-mail me.