SPS talk May 9, 1990, by Dr. Willis Wingert
Summnary by Karen Lenard
(submitted to the SAGE because of its relevance to DPSers)
115 snakes in US, 20 are poisonous, 16 are rattlesnakes.
45000 snakebites per year in US, 10000 by poisonous snakes, 8000 people seek treatment, 15-20 die. These are old figures, probably double now, 250 bites per year in California minimum.
60% of those bitten are 18-30 years of age; 40% of bites are non-accidental; 40% of those bitten are drunk; 40% of those bitten are tatooed on the forearm. March through June are the most-bite months; few women and few blacks are bitten. 85% of bites are on hands/fingers, l0% are on foot or ankle.
Don't bother much to procure snake; if you do, head is most important so that the species can be identified; try to estimate its size. Mojave green is most venomous.
Avoid activity, that will send venom to lungs faster. Don't excise the bite. Don't bother to apply a constricting band; if you do, it must be very tight.
Splint the bite; give the victim salt water to drink; possibly constrict 6" above bite with Ace bandage and right on down over it. Most important, TAKE THE PERSON TO AN EMERGENCY ROOM, BIGGEST HOSPITAL AROUND, FOR THE ANTIDOTE. This anti-venum horse serum dates from 1935 and is not very scientifically developed, research is needed. Most doctors give too little of it, 5 vials needed probably; and be sure they know where to inject it. 440,000 doctors out there, only 8,000 bites are treated....and AVOID SURGEONS, they cut the swollen areas open, swelling always goes down, even the most terrible welts, in just a few days.
Walk out, get to treatment, within 8 hours, it will probably be OK. Or keep the victim inactive and have someone else hike out and arrange for air evacuation, if it was a big snake and you are 5-6 hours in.
