Modern 1stAid treatment for snake and spider bites.

[Todd00000]

My team will be in a remote location training with the Saudi Army, about one hour from a hospital. We will have CLS bags without IVs. What are the best first aid treatments for poisonous snake and spider bites. I did a Google search but want to know what you EMT/Medics are doing. Thanks.

[Arctic1]

My team will be in a remote location training with the Saudi Army, about one hour from a hospital. We will have CLS bags without IVs. What are the best first aid treatments for poisonous snake and spider bites. I did a Google search but want to know what you EMT/Medics are doing. Thanks.

First priority would be to have your guys get proper training from a tropical medicine expert.

That said, if it somebody is bitten or stung, procedures are similar for snakes, spiders and scorpions:

-Clean the bite/sting site with soap and water
-Apply cool bandages/ice pack to bite/sting site
-Elevate extremities
-Monitor pt symptoms; fever, vomiting, pain, consciousness/alertness, vital signs, allergic reactions
-Manage pain

Get to hospital/higher echelon of care ricky tick.

During one mission in Afghanistan, one of our team leaders got stung by a scorpion. It got so bad, that they had to evacuate him back to Norway for treatment in hospital. He was in pretty poor shape.
Tropical medicine is the one area I felt that my training was inadequate.

[Nick S]

All Pts bitten by venomous snakes should be evacuated.

Support ABCs.

Snake venom may be hematoxic or neurotoxic.

The ice/cool pack is debated as to its usefulness.

Restriction bands or wraps may be used for Elapid bites (Coral Snakes)

Pain management (no aspirin)

Simple, no restrictive splinting may be useful.

Mark advance of swelling with pen or Sharpie if you can.

Do your best to ID snake.

Pre plan your evacuation to ensure you are transporting to a facility that has antivenom if you can.

If you know your area of operations figure out what is indigenous to area and preplan any special circumstances etc.

Good luck.

[Caduceus]

What's your time frame for this? I can check some sources. Back in AFG we had some spider bites but I can't recall treatment specifics.

[Todd00000]

We will only be out there 3 days, but last month's training 3 Saudis were bite by Cobras.

[Sensei]

All Pts bitten by venomous snakes should be evacuated.

Support ABCs.

Snake venom may be hematoxic or neurotoxic.

The ice/cool pack is debated as to its usefulness.

Restriction bands or wraps may be used for Elapid bites (Coral Snakes)

Pain management (no aspirin)

Simple, no restrictive splinting may be useful.

Mark advance of swelling with pen or Sharpie if you can.

Do your best to ID snake.

Pre plan your evacuation to ensure you are transporting to a facility that has antivenom if you can.

If you know your area of operations figure out what is indigenous to area and preplan any special circumstances etc.

Good luck.

This.

We no long recommend the use of cold packs.

[Koshinn]

We will only be out there 3 days, but last month's training 3 Saudis were bite by Cobras.

Bring a pack of mongooses or honey badgers.

Good luck out there sir.

[Todd00000]

Bring a pack of mongooses or honey badgers.

Good luck out there sir.

LOL thanks guys. What y'all have said jives with all the medical websites.

[Todd00000]

This.

We no long recommend the use of cold packs.

Can the cold packs make it worse, or do they just not do anything?

[Sensei]

Ice packs are thought to be harmful and worsen tissue damage.