How dangerous are snake bites?

How dangerous are snake bites? - Yahoo! Philippines News:

Why do snakes bite? Who do snakes bite? And what should be done when bitten by a snake? We don't often hear questions like these asked in normal conversation. This is because snakes are not very common animals like dogs and cats that can be easily spotted in households. In the Philippines, out if the few hundred species of snakes, there are thirty poisonous snakes that can be identified. Snakes can be found in rural areas, especially farmlands and rivers where they can easily prey on smaller animals and live in the moist. This also makes people in rural areas prone to snake encounters and snake bites - something that should not be taken lightly, even from non-venomous snakes. Five million snake bites are recorded worldwide yearly and causes about 125,000 deaths. This number should not be taken lightly, considering that snakes are only common in tropical regions and in agricultural areas.

Why snakes bite

Snakes bite when they are attacked. Most people who encounter snakes commit the mistake of engaging the snake and turning aggressive towards it making the snake defensive. When you encounter a snake in the wilderness, it if doesn't harm you first, it's best to just keep away from the snake instead of trying to kill it.

Snake bites that lead to deaths are not only caused by the venom from the snake. Infection, tetanus, as well as improper handling or treatment of the bite can lead to more deaths. So when faced with this problem, one must be able to provide first-aid as well a treatment to lessen the harm that can result from the bite. What to do when bitten by a snake

Here are some things that should be done if someone has been bitten by a snake.

Get away from the snake.Call for medical help.While waiting for medical help, apply first-aid on the snake bite.Wash the bite with soap and water.Immobilize the bitten area and keep it lower than the heart.Cover the area with a clean, cool compress or a moist dressing to minimize swelling and discomfort.Monitor vital signs.

If a victim is unable to reach medical care within 30 minutes, the American Red Cross recommends:

Apply a bandage, wrapped two to four inches above the bite, to help slow the venom. This should not cut off the flow of blood from a vein or artery - the band should be loose enough to slip a finger under it.A suction device can be placed over the bite to help draw venom out of the wound without making cuts. These devices are often included in commercial snake bite kits.

Sources: Emedicinehealth Pinoy Mountainer