Adventure Doc
keeping you healthy for life's adventures
Erik McLaughlin MD, MPH
Affiliates
BITES & STINGS
Travel brings people into contact with animals they don’t normally encounter. This is a good thing and a bad thing. For example, when I was in Southern Louisiana, I thought the alligators were very interesting to look at, but I didn’t know that they were so fast.
BITES & STINGS
I am glad somebody told me that. In case you have to learn the hard way, here is some more information. My text resources for this section were The Field Guide to Wilderness Medicine and Emergency Medicine Secrets, 3rd edition.
FIRST AID KIT
There was a great quote I thought I would include from that book. “Always carry a flagon of whiskey in case of snakebite and furthermore always carry a small snake.” W.C. Fields (1880?-1946).
SEARCH & RESCUE
SURVIVAL
As soon as possible, apply a broad pressure bandage from below the bite site, upward on the affected limb (starting at the fingers or toes, bandaging upward as far as possible). Leave the tips of the fingers or toes un-bandaged to allow the victim’s circulation to be checked. Do not remove pants or trousers, simply bandage over the top of the clothing.
PURIFICATION
LINKS/ LIBRARY
PRODUCT REVIEWS
Bandage firmly as for a sprained ankle, but not so tight that circulation is prevented. Continue to bandage upward from the lower portion of the bitten limb.
Apply the bandage as far up the limb as possible to compress the lymphatic vessels.
It is vital to now apply a splint. Bind a stick or suitable rigid item over the initial bandage to splint the limb. Secure the splint to the bandaged limb by using another bandage, (if another bandage is not available, use clothing strips or similar to bind). It is very important to keep the bitten limb still.
Bind the splint firmly, to as much of the limb as possible, to prevent muscle, limb and joint movement. This will help restrict venom movement. Seek urgent medical assistance now that first aid has been applied.
Australian Pressure Immobilization Dressing for Sequestration
From Australian Venom Research Unit, University of Melbourne (pictures and text)
ANTS, WASPS & BEES
MAMMALS
MOSQUITOES, FLIES & TICKS
First Aid Kit
Search & Rescue
Survival
Ants, Wasps & Bees
Mosquitoes, Flies & Ticks
Mammals
