The Snake Envenomation guide covers first aid, recognition, and anti-snake venom management for a suspected snake bite, matching its own subtitle. It opens with pre-hospital do's and don'ts (including the 'R.I.GH.T' mnemonic), then triages a suspected bite into 'venom not injected' (dry bite) versus 'envenomation confirmed,' organizing confirmed-envenomation features by snake family — vipers (haematological/cardiovascular), kraits and cobras (neurological), and sea snakes (myotoxic) — alongside renal involvement and required baseline investigations.
Reassure, Immobilize, Get to Hospital, and Tell the doctor about specific symptoms — the guide's mnemonic for correct pre-hospital response to a suspected snake bite.
A snake bite where no venom was injected — the guide notes dry-bite features can include a vasovagal reaction, feeling cold, fear, and anxiety without systemic symptoms, but recommends observation regardless since envenomation symptoms (especially neurological ones from kraits) can be delayed.
A bedside test for viper envenomation: fresh blood is placed in a clean, dry test tube and left undisturbed for 20 minutes. If it is still liquid (has not clotted), this indicates coagulopathy and that ASV is indicated; it is repeated every 6 hours until normal.
No — the guide specifically notes that children receive the same ASV dose as adults, because venom load introduced by the bite does not scale with the victim's body weight.
The guide lists six things to avoid: applying a tourniquet, making cuts, washing the wound, sucking out venom, applying electrical shock, or using herbal medicine.