Quick Tip: Emergency Alternative Medicine For Snake Bites

Written by Sarah Cain Wednesday, 14 April 2010 05:15

	Coral snakes are the most venomous in the U.S.A.. Remember: "If red meets yellow, kill a fellow".

Snake bites are often very serious, and we recommend seeking emergency medical care, if it is available.  Hospitals are the only source for getting antivenin; so in the case of snake bites, we suggest getting to one fast.  However, there are many scenarios when medical assistance is hours or even days away.  There are some treatments that can help in these situations.

Activated charcoal (also known as activated carbon) is the best overall general purpose toxin filtration agent in existence.  It is all-natural, and made from baked coconut shells.  Even the allopathic medical establishment uses it to remove toxins, and to save people from drug overdoses.  It should always be in the medicine cabinet.  Those who go hunting, or who spend a lot of time in the wilderness should carry finely ground activated charcoal for emergencies.  You can find it in the aquatic section of most grocery stores, but you will have to grind it into a fine powder.  Please reference the link above for expanded information about activated charcoal, and how to use it safely.  Never use coal or the chemically-treated 'charcoal briquettes' used for cooking.  Also, remember that it must be prepared beforehand, because you will not have the time or energy to make it in a poison emergency.  Get it, and prepare it now.

Milk snakes ('fake coral snakes') are not poisonous. Remember: "If red meets black, a friend to Jack".

If you get snake bitten, apply dampened activated charcoal to the fang wounds as soon as possible.  With some snake bites, making a small slit in the fang lesions is necessary, while other bites leave large enough holes for the activated charcoal to absorb.  Use a band-aid, cotton with medical tape, or anything else that is available to firmly hold the charcoal onto the wound.  Check periodically, and re-dampen the charcoal if it has dried out.

Next, take at least 2 teaspoons of dampened charcoal internally.  Make certain to dampen the charcoal first, because it can cause havoc for the lungs if you inhale the dust.

We did research on the issue of tourniquets for snake bites, and found varying results.  The orthodox establishment is preaching to never use them nowadays, and we likewise acknowledge that there are inherent dangers to using them.  As such, it is necessary for people to use their best judgment in deciding whether a tourniquet should be applied.  Tourniquets can lead to the loss of a limb, but they are worth the risk in some instances.  If you decide to use a tourniquet, you should write TK and the time on the victim's forehead, so that medics can find out how long it has been applied, in case you get separated or injured yourself.

The cottonmouth, otherwise known as a water moccasin, spends most of its time in and around water. Beware of these excellent swimmers. Copperheads are known for their ability to camouflage well with leaves and logs, which are their favorite hide-outs. There are many different types of rattlesnakes, but the antivenin is the same. You may hear the infamous rattle, and the rattle on the tail should be clearly visible.

Some people use a tourniquet which is just tight enough to slow the circulation, instead of stop it.  This method is designed to allow treatments to take effect before the venom spreads through the entire body.  If done correctly, it eliminates the risks associated with tourniquets.

Echinacea was where the term 'snake oil' is believed to have originated, because it is known to help with snake bites.  In addition, it will also boost the immune system, and thus help it to fight off infections.  In the event of a snake bite, we strongly recommend taking a massive dose of echinacea supplements, if available, and repeating every 6 hours.  If swallowing is difficult, then hold it in the mouth for as long as possible for absorption through the cheeks and tongue directly into the bloodstream.  This trick applies to charcoal consumption, as well.  As in the case of activated charcoal, get it beforehand, because it is too late to go shopping during a poison emergency.  Only purchase echinacea from a herbal or health food stores, due to supplement quality issues.

After the first 24 hours, activated charcoal will be largely ineffective.  You may wish to try to apply moistened bentonite clay topically during this time.  Bentonite clay is known to remove toxins, and is also advised for treating spider bites.  For best results, mix echinacea powder with the bentonite clay and water.  Apply this paste to the wound.  You may simply open echinacea capsules to obtain the powder.  As with the activated charcoal and the echinacea, have the bentonite clay ready beforehand, because it will be too late to obtain it in time to remedy a poison emergency.  Bentonite clay is not found in most retailers, and it must usually be purchased online, so get some now.

Always remember to seek medical attention at the earliest opportunity, because a snake bite victim should get antivenin as soon as possible.  These techniques are virtually guaranteed to help a victim dramatically, but they may not be enough to save a person from a fatal snake bite.

There are four types of poisonous snakes in the United States, and they all tend to be temperamental, despite what the new-age nature lovers would have us believe.  These poisonous little monsters include the copperhead, cottonmouth, rattlesnakes, and coral snakes.  It is important to be able to recognize the different types of poisonous snakes, so that you can get the best treatment at an emergency room.  Being treated with the wrong type of antivenin can be fatal.  Study the images in this article carefully.  If possible, it is best to kill the snake and take it with you to the hospital's emergency room to get verified identification of its species.  The snake's head should be severed, in order to be certain that it is dead.  Watch out for the fangs, which could convulse at any time and inject venom.

 

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Audio Report: Our Radio Show Appearance On Buckshot's Survival Hour

Essential First Aid Item: Activated Carbon