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applying suction
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by biff on April 14, 2001
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What is the deal with sucking venom out of a fresh wound? I've seen in several articles now that you're not supposed to use suction on the bite. It kinda seems that immediate suction would help...I can't think of why it wouldn't help, it makes logical sense that it would help at least a little. I'm assuming that the articles are talking about extraction using a device and not the mouth. Any ideas?--thanks
Steve
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RE: applying suction
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by filthy on April 14, 2001
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A very good question.
Way back when I started messing around with venomous snakes, the state of the first aid art was the Cutter Kit. It consisted of a pair of rubber suction cups, a small, sharp blade, a ligature, and a set of directions. It was next to useless, indeed, if used as intended, it did more damage than it prevented. A bite might be treated with as many as 10 kits all over the bitten limb. Developed, I think, in the early '40s, this contraption is still on the market today.
An improvement on it is the Sawyer Kit. This is a mechanical, suction pump that might bear a resemblence to a grease gun that's lost it's handle. This one actually works to an extent, or so I've been told by people I trust. I have no experience with them. The best part about it is that a lot of cutting is not called for.
But, back to the question. Any venom at all that's removed from the bite is good, yes. However, venom gets into the lymph and blood systems quickly, destroying tissue as it goes. The time spent trying to suck the venom out would be better spent traveling in the direction of the nearest hospital. In a major bite, the small amount of venom the kit might remove will make little difference. Of course, there's nothing that says you can't try it in transit.
I have read that some physians don't like suction because it interferes with their tracking of the effects of the venom (you don't automatically get AV). I'm not sure exactly what this means.
The very best first aid for snakebite is a set of car keys, a full tank of gas, and the fastest route to professional care, keeping the bitten limb low as you go. As a keeper of venomous snakes, I not only know where help is available, but that the help also has snakebite experience.
Hope this was at least a little informative.
f
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RE: applying suction
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by Felix_in_hat on April 17, 2001
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Are you supposed to put a tourniquet and a splint on? I've always wondered what effect that has if any.
Thanks,
Josh
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RE: applying suction
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by filthy on April 17, 2001
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Chris can answer this better than I, as he knows all of the technical end of it, but it's no to each, especally tourniquets. These impede the flow of blood, almost garenteeing serious necrosis and possibly gangrene.
Venom travels largly in the lymph system. If I were hit and a long way from help, I'd wrap the bitten limb snugly, but not too tightly, in an Ace bandage (I keep a couple on hand when in the field). It would have to be adjusted as the limb swelled. There is even some discussion about the advisability of this. If I were to get whacked here at home, I'd just get to the hospital, doing nothing for the bite except keeping it low and myself quiet. Also, I'd not wait on an ambulance, just grab a ride and listen to my neighbor say, "I told ya so, ya big dummy."
In short, you just don't mess around with iffy first aid treatments.
luck,
f
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