Snake Bite

Here's some details I've found on Snake Bite Treatment and First Aid. As far as I know, this only applies to snake bites. Insect or bee stings are a different matter.

Offered by Steve.

Here's an excerpt from good ole' Bayou Bob:

The electroshock treatment is among the newer methods reported at achieving reasonable success in bite treatment. This is not yet considered traditional even though the earliest reports of application date quite some time back. These were not United States based field experiences and were thus less likely to end up as being counted as having moved through the time tested process of being considered traditional first aid. Still, the potentials for successful first aid reported in this area have been quite impressive. The book may continue to be open on this matter, but the approach itself, like the others, may present a contribution to an overall process that seeks out the best results.

In this approach, the direct application of electric current to the bite locale is the central focus. Various presentations deliver this shock in different manners. The theory seems to rest in the basis of a very high voltage thrust at a very low amperage. Now, it is evident that whenever the application of electricity to live tissue is involved, there are some strong considerations to keep in mind. Just how much voltage is high enough? What is low amperage? Where and how often is this applied? These are serious questions and all need to be played out to establish some base line formulas for treatment. Research is still underway seeking to outline these parameters.

Some people foolishly assume that since electricity is so widely utilized in the medical field for a very wide range of treatment and testing purposes, it surely cannot be that complicated to apply the principles to snake bite first aid. Anytime that high voltage, poor field conditions, a dose of frantic panic, severe pain, and the like are a part of the situation, great care should be placed upon decision making to use this technique. Yet, as a method of first aid it has much to offer and cannot be discounted due to the downside characteristics. The same principles applied to the other methods must be applied here as well.

Generally, it is accepted that DC current is more suitable for the method. This means stay away from electric plug in receptacles in a wall somewhere! The proper current can be obtained from older coil based gasoline engine ignition systems. Things such as outboard motors, lawn mowers, car or jeep engines, and the like have been pressed into service. There are currently small modified versions of the stun gun which are touted as being effective portable units sufficient to deliver the necessary shock. The idea is to hit the area with enough voltage to damage the cellular molecules of the venom. This must be accomplished at the same time that low enough amps are used to prevent tissue burning, organ damage, convulsions, and a host of other possibilities being experienced from uncontrolled voltage. This is definitely a precision approach with seeing to it that proper safeguards are being maintained.

Past successes have reported that voltage in the 100K level coupled with amps at the 1 or 2 level seem to be workable. The bite area is tapped quickly in one second bursts of six or seven spots in a circular fashion around the wound. Earlier taps are closer in an effort to logically reach venom before it spreads farther out. As time in minutes progresses and swelling or other symptoms move outward, the electric taps move outward also. It has been reported that beginning immediately with the bite itself in time, a series of taps every 10 to 15 minutes for the first hour may work to reduce the impact of the venom.

It should be obvious that having ready access to such a shock source is a central feature of this approach. To expend hours seeking out or building a power source is not practical. The idea in all treatments is to respond to the presence of the poison very rapidly! The sooner some can be removed, or in the case of this latter treatment, be damaged in some way, the less likely the onset or the lower the peak of some of the more negative symptoms. It is widely held that the shock properly accomplished has the direct effect of changing the shape of the venom cell such that the adhering quality to whole blood cells is reduced, thereby rendering at least a portion of the venom less able to produce the designed results.

As a first aid tool, this approach also must be coupled with safe transport to competent medical service. Additionally, antiseptic procedures should be applied throughout as practical. The history of this approach is more limited but it certainly makes up for late ground by holding the most dramatic claims for rapid success in treatment with minimal resulting damage levels. This method requires a deeper investigative effort and such a continuing study is supported with great hope by those who have experienced the pain of a bite with all of the negatives associated with other treatment courses.