© Gowri Shankar

Snakes and First Aid

Gowri Shankar
Blog: http://pogirigowrishankar.wordpress.com/
 What are Reptiles ?
Features

• Have scales; no fur or feathers.

• Are vertebrates
• Cold-blooded and need to regulate their body temperature
(Ectothermic)
• Regularly shed their skin (Ecdysis)

Reptiles are broadly classified as:

• Crocodilians
• Lizards
• Snakes
• Turtles & Tortoises

Gowri Shankar, Agumbe Rainforest Research Station, 2010

© Gowri Shankar
Gowri Shankar, Agumbe Rainforest Research Station, 2010
 Venomous Snakes
Four common snakes, responsible for most
venomous bites in India called ‘The BIG FOUR’ are:

 Common Cobra (Naja naja)

 Russell’s Viper (Daboia russelli)

 Krait (Bungarus caeruleus)

 Saw Scaled Viper (Echis carinatus)

Gowri Shankar, Agumbe Rainforest Research Station, 2010

 Common Cobra (Naja naja)

© Gowri Shankar

Gowri Shankar, Agumbe Rainforest Research Station, 2010

 Russell’s Viper (Daboia russelli)

© Gowri Shankar

Gowri Shankar, Agumbe Rainforest Research Station, 2010

 Common Krait (Bungarus caeruleus) 

© Gowri Shankar

Gowri Shankar, Agumbe Rainforest Research Station, 2010

 Saw scaled Viper (Echis carinatus)

© Srikanth Kashyap

Gowri Shankar, Agumbe Rainforest Research Station, 2010

 NON-VENOMOUS SNAKES

Gowri Shankar, Agumbe Rainforest Research Station, 2010

 Common Vine Snake (Ahaetulla nasuta)

© Gowri Shankar

Gowri Shankar, Agumbe Rainforest Research Station, 2010

 Rat snake (Ptyas mucosa mucosa)

© Gowri Shankar
Gowri Shankar, Agumbe Rainforest Research Station, 2010
 Checkered keel back (Xenochrophis piscator)

© Gowri Shankar
Gowri Shankar, Agumbe Rainforest Research Station, 2010
 Olive Keelback (Atretium schistosum)

Gowri Shankar, Agumbe Rainforest Research Station, 2010

 Green Keelback (Macropisthodon plumbicolor)

© Gowri Shankar
Gowri Shankar, Agumbe Rainforest Research Station, 2010
 www.naturemalaysia.com/ snake-bite2.jpg

u
www.industrysearch.com.a
© Leo3D's

Snake Bites, Symptoms &

First Aid

Gowri Shankar, Agumbe Rainforest Research Station, 2010

 Snake Bite

• Humans are not the natural prey of snakes

• Snakes attack humans mainly in defense

• Not all snake bites are venomous

• Prevention is better than cure

Gowri Shankar, Agumbe Rainforest Research Station, 2010

 Venom
• Is a complex mixture of toxins, used for killing,
digesting prey, and for defense.

There are two basic types of snake venom:

• Neurotoxic, which affects the nerves (venom of

cobras and kraits);
• Haemotoxic, which affects blood, blood vessels and
tissue (that of vipers).

Gowri Shankar, Agumbe Rainforest Research Station, 2010

 SYMPTOMS
© Wikipedia

Gowri Shankar, Agumbe Rainforest Research Station, 2010

 General symptoms of a
venomous snake bite
• Wound site: Fang marks, discoloration, burning sensation,
blistering of skin, local pain, oedema

• Bleeding from the gums and the wound, that does not seem to
stop

• Progressive swelling of the bitten area

• Drooping eyelids

• Difficulty in speaking and breathing

• Drowsiness, unsteadiness
Gowri Shankar, Agumbe Rainforest Research Station, 2010
 FIRST AID
 Calm and reassure the patient.
 Remove any constricting items
 Completely immobilize the patient
 Keep the wound clean
 The victim should be kept warm.
 The only remedy for venomous snakebite is

anti-venom serum.

• Note: ONLY IF SAFELY POSSIBLE, try and get a good look at

the snake (or photograph it) to help the doctor identify it.

Gowri Shankar, Agumbe Rainforest Research Station, 2010

 FIRST AID - DONTS
• Do not give sedatives to calm the patient.
• Do not tie an electric cable, string or rubber tourniquet and
do not cut the bite site, or the bitten limb.
• Do not use ice packs, electric shock or suction at the site of
bite.
• Do not elevate the limb.
• Do not use potassium permanganate.
• Do not let the patient walk or run; keep them immobilized.
• Do not administer alcoholic beverage or any medication
• Do not give food or water, as both may be a choking hazard
if the person vomits.
• Do not waste time with quack ‘remedies’.

Gowri Shankar, Agumbe Rainforest Research Station, 2010 http://www.snakecell.in/snakebite.html

 THANK
YOU

Website: www.agumberainforest.com

Email: gowrishankar.arrs@gmail.com

Blog: http://pogirigowrishankar.wordpress.com/

© Gowri Shankar