Snake Bite Kits on Ebay

Gday

Saw these snake bite kits on ebay this morning and just wondered if anybody has had to use one or knows any more about them, the pic from the seller cut out the makers name but I found them somewhere else, the maker is Coghlans.

There seems to be several types of these compact kits but which one would be the best to carry??

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/SNAKE-BITE-KIT-MINELAB-METAL-DETECTOR-PROSPECTING-DREDGE-GOLD-NUGGET-GEM-MINING-/280840269074?pt=AU_Tents&hash=item4163626d12


cheers

stayyerAU

I don't know if this kit would be the recommended way to handle snake bite.

Gday

My thoughts exactly,the other kits I saw were from an American seller and the snake pic on the front was that of what looked to me like a rattlesnake, which I believe has a different sort of venom to what our snakes have,and so if thats the case and its the same kit then I would have thought that it may not be wise to use it for any snake bite you might get over here.

Thats exatly why I asked the question??

cheers

stayyerAU

http://www.anaes.med.usyd.edu.au/venom/snakebite.html#firstaid

Australian Snake Bites

In Australia there are about 3,000 snake bites per year, of which 200 to 500 receive antivenom; on average one or two will prove fatal. About half the deaths are due to bites from the brown snake; the rest mostly from tiger snake, taipan and death adder. Some deaths are sudden, however in fact it is uncommon to die within four hours of a snake bite.

Struan Sutherland's 'Death from snake bite in Australia, 1981-1991' (The Medical Journal of Australia, December 1991, Volume 7, pages 740-46) contains some graphic descriptions of the 18 known fatal snake bites in that ten year period.

In 1906, the untreated death rates were as high as 40% to 50% for death adder and tiger snake bites! Improved supportive treatment and the availability of effective antivenoms has reduced this considerably.

Contents:

•Snake Identification
•
◦Brown Snake (Common Eastern, Gwardir, Dugite)
◦Taipan
◦Tiger Snake
◦Death Adder
◦Copperhead
◦King Brown Snake (Mulga snake)
◦Redbellied Black Snake
◦Rough Scaled Snake
◦Small Scaled Snake (Fierce snake)

•First aid for snake bites
•
◦Signs and Symptoms
◦Medical management

•AntiVenoms

For more information go to the Australian Venom Research Unit or the Australian Reptile Park., or read this excellent Australian Prescriber Review.

Snake Identification

Before the advent of polyvalent antivenoms it was extremely important to positively identify the snake. Although less important now, it remains highly desirable, because snake-specific antivenoms are less hazardous to the patient than polyvalent antivenoms. Snake identification can be very difficult if it was seen fleetingly or in poor light. Scale patterns and colours can be quite unreliable, especially for brown snakes.

Venom identification kits, on the other hand, can often accurately identify the type of snake in 30 minutes, and thus reliably and safely reduce the need for administration of polyvalent antivenom.

If identification is uncertain, ALWAYS treat as if the snake was unidentified.

The Australian Reptile Park are experts in snakes and envenomation. If you have the time to visit them I recommend it highly. Brian Bush has a page for WA snake identification. Detailed information with pictures is also available from toxinology.com - click on snakes and select australia as the country.




Common or Eastern Brown Snake Pseudonaja textilis

The Brown Snake may be found all over Australia. It has extremely potent venom, and although the quantity of venom injected is usually small, this snake causes more snakebite deaths in Australia than any other. Sudden and relatively early deaths have been recorded. Its venom causes severe coagulation disturbances, neurotoxicity, and occasionally nephrotoxicity (by a direct action of the venom), but not rhabdomyolysis. The Gwardir is also known as the Western Brown snake, and the Dugite is a spotted brown snake found in Western Australia. All need brown snake antivenom. See also Venom Supplies brown snake pages, AVRU brown snake info (Eastern Brown, Dugite, Gwardar, and treatment, Australian Reptile Park, Wikipedia. Some more local pics:
•Eastern (Common) Brown Snake - Pseudonaja textilis (36K jpeg)
•Western Brown Snake (Gwardir) - Pseudonaja nuchalis (18K jpeg)
•Dugite - Pseudonaja affinis (59K jpeg)




Taipan Oxyuranus scuttelatus

The taipan may be found mostly along the non-desert areas of north and north-east Australia (from Brisbane to Darwin). It is an aggressive, large, slender snake, and may be coloured any shade of brown but always has a rectangular head (large in proportion to the body) and red eye. Venom output is high and causes neurotoxicity, coagulopathy, and rhabdomyolysis, and the amount retrieved from just one milking from one taipan is enough to kill many million mice. Paralysis is difficult to reverse unless treated early. Untreated, a good bite will almost certainly be fatal. See also Venom Supplies, AVRU taipan info and treatment, Wikipedia.

Another picture:Taipan - Oxyuranus scuttelatus (49K jpeg)




Tiger Snake Notechis scutatus

The tiger snake lives in the temperate southern areas of Australia. The characteristic stripes are not seen all year round, and there is a totally black variant found around the Flinders Ranges area of South Australia. As well as neurotoxicity and coagulopathy, rhabdomyolysis (due to Notexin in the venom) is very likely if treatment is delayed. Untreated mortality is about 45%. See also Venom Supplies tiger snake page, AVRU tiger snake info, and treatment, Aust Reptile Park, Wikipedia.

Some more pictures: Eastern Tiger Snake - Notechis scutatis (32K jpeg), Black Tiger Snake - Notechis ater (40K jpeg)




Death Adder Acanthopis antarcticus

The death adder has strongly neurotoxic venom; coagulation defects are usually minor and rhabdomyolysis is almost never seen. The postsynaptic paralysis is easily reversed by antivenom. It has characteristic appearance and may be striped. See also Venom Supplies, AVRU death adder page, (common, northern, desert) treatment, Aust Reptile Park, Wikipedia.

Another picture :Death Adder - Acanthopis antarcticus (22K jpeg)




Copperhead Austrelaps superbus

The copperhead is found in Tasmania, Victoria, and the western plains of NSW. Its venom has neurotoxic, coagulopthic and myotoxic actions, however, despite its large venom output, bites are rarely fatal. Use tiger snake antivenom. See also Venom Supplies copperhead page. AVRU copperhead page, Aust Reptile Park, Wikipedia.

Another picture: Copperhead - Austrelaps superbus (29K jpeg)




Rough Scaled Snake Tropidechis carinatus

The rough scaled snake is found mostly in northeastern non-arid areas. It may be striped, and hence confused with the tiger snake. It is extremely ill-tempered, and has venom with neurotoxic, coagulopthic and myotoxic actions. See also AVRU rough scaled snake page.

Another pic: Rough Scaled Snake - Tropidechis carinatus (45K jpeg)




King Brown or Mulga snake Pseudechis australis

The king brown (or mulga) snake is found in all arid parts of Australia, and has the greatest venom output, with neurotoxic, coagulopthic and myotoxic actions, but of relatively low toxicity. It has a strongly defined dark crosshatched pattern on its scales, and is more related to the black snakes than the brown. The king brown needs black snake antivenom. See also Venom Supplies, AVRU Mulga page.

Another picture: Mulga (King Brown) Snake - Pseudechis Australis (20K jpeg)




Redbellied Black Snake Pseudechis porphyriacus

The redbellied black snake is found in all eastern non-arid areas. While the venom has neurotoxic, coagulopthic and myotoxic actions, it is not as potent as most, and no deaths after a redbellied black snake have yet been reported. Black or tiger antivenom may be used. Can 'jump' in the air if disturbed or chased. Another picture from John Loadsman during a bushwalk.

See also Venom Supplies, AVRU black snake page, Aust Reptile Park.




Small Scaled or Fierce Snake Oxyuranus microlepidotus

The small scaled snake (sometimes called the inland taipan or fierce snake) has the most potent venom in the world, but is restricted to relatively uninhabited areas of south-western Queensland, so, fortunately, not many people get bitten. Use taipan antivenom. More info: Aust Reptile Park, Wikipedia, AVRU.

Another picture: Fierce (Small Scaled) Snake - Oxyuranus microlepidus (30K jpeg)




Signs and Symptoms

The bite site is usually painless. It may have classical paired fang marks, but this is not the most common picture. Often there are just a few lacerations or scratches, and sometimes these may be painless or go unnoticed. Bruising, bleeding, and local swelling may be present, but significant local tissue destruction is uncommon in Australia.

Regional lymphadenopathy may be marked, even with non-venomous snake bites, and is not by itself an indication for the administration of antivenom. It may contribute to abdominal pain in children.

The usual sequence of systemic symptom development goes something like this:
•(<1hr) Headache (an important symptom), irritability, photophobia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, confusion; coagulation abnormalities; occasionally sudden hypotension with loss of consciousness.

•(1-3 hrs) Cranial nerve paralysis (ptosis, diplopia, dysphagia etc), abdominal pain, haemoglobinuria, hypertension, tachycardia, haemmorrhage.

•(>3hrs) Limb and respiratory muscle paralysis leading to respiratory failure, peripheral circulatory failure with pallor and cyanosis, myoglobinuria, eventually death.

This sequence of events is highly variable. Brown snake bites, even apparently trivial ones, have been associated with acute deterioration over a five minute period leading to death. This may occur as soon as 30 minutes to an hour after the original bite. Acute, severe cardiac depression may be the mechanism for sudden death.

Paralysis, when it occurs, usually commences with cranial nerves, then skeletal muscle, then the muscles of respiration. In small children or with highly venomous snake bites it may happen much more quickly.

Major bleeding disturbances are, as mentioned before, rare with Australian snakes, although the development of coagulopathies and a DIC-like picture are relatively common. Thromboctopaenia and haemolysis may occur. Watch for haematuria, haemoptysis, haematemesis, low bowel haemmorrhage, menorrhagia or haemoglobinuria, and remember that about 20% of patients who die after snake bite have cerebral haemmorrhages.

Muscle destruction from myolytic toxins is not uncommon and may not be associated with muscle tenderness; it may lead to renal failure and should be specifically looked for, because early treatment with antivenom will reduce its severity.

Snake bite should always be considered in any case of unexpected confusion or loss of consciousness following outdoor activities in snake country. In Australia, snake venoms alone cause coagulopathy, so if present you can rule out other forms of envenomation.

Prognosis depends on the type of snake and the quantity of venom injected. An angry snake and multiple bites is associated with greater venom volumes.

Snake bites and domestic pets

Ian Westbrook describes, in this moving story, how an apparently trivial bite from a tiger snake caused the death of one of his dogs. In contrast, Donna describes her experience with a Death Adder bite.

Murdoch University provides a 'pets in summer - snakebite warning' page with a number of pet safety and snake information sheets.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

First Aid for Snake Bites:

Do NOT wash the area of the bite!

It is extremely important to retain traces of venom for use with venom identification kits!

Stop lymphatic spread - bandage firmly, splint and immobilise!

The "pressure-immobilisation" technique is currently recommended by the Australian Resuscitation Council, the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists.

The lymphatic system is responsible for systemic spread of most venoms. This can be reduced by the application of a firm bandage (as firm as you would put on a sprained ankle) over a folded pad placed over the bitten area. While firm, it should not be so tight that it stops blood flow to the limb or to congests the veins. Start bandaging directly over the bitten area, ensuing that the pressure over the bite is firm and even. If you have enough bandage you can extend towards more central parts of the body, to delay spread of any venom that has already started to move centrally. A pressure dressing should be applied even if the bite is on the victims trunk or torso.

Immobility is best attained by application of a splint or sling, using a bandage or whatever to hand to absolutely minimise all limb movement, reassurance and immobilisation (eg, putting the patient on a stretcher). Where possible, bring transportation to the patient (rather then vice versa). Don't allow the victim to walk or move a limb. Walking should be prevented.

The pressure-immobilisation approach is simple, safe and will not cause iatrogenic tissue damage (ie, from incision, injection, freezing or arterial torniquets - all of which are ineffective).

See the AVRU site for more details of bandaging techniques.

Bites to the head, neck, and back are a special problem - firm pressure should be applied locally if possible.

Removal of the bandage will be associated with rapid systemic spread. Hence ALWAYS wait until the patient is in a fully-equipped medical treatment area before bandage removal is attempted.

Do NOT cut or excise the area or apply an arterial torniquet! Both these measures are ineffective and may make the situation worse.

Morning stayyerau,
Absolutely not, NEVER, cut open a snake bite and try to suck venom out.
The now tried and proven method is to use bandages, strapping tightly above and below bite, leaving the bite exposed so medical staff can swab area to determine type of snake, so as to be able to administer the correct anti venom.
Here is the type of kit you should be looking for.

http://www.firstaidkitsaustralia.com.au/viewitem.asp?id=109&gclid=CKu1kuSt2K4CFUuCpAod83QCdQ

Description here for first aid treatment while waiting for or getting too professional medical help.

http://www.anaes.med.usyd.edu.au/venom/snakebite.html

Several years ago we listened to a HF emergency radio conversation between medical staff and a snake bite victim.
The victim, a geologist had been bitten on the arm by either a Gwarder or Spinnifex snake. The medical staff instructed how to apply the pressure bandages. His mate was driving him cross country to the nearest airstrip, the victim was to maintain communication over the radio.
The nearest airstrip was an outback West Australian sheep/cattle station, and the ETA was going to be after sunset. The Station Manager advised he had recently used the flares to illuminate the aircraft runway so he was arranging all available vehicles in the area to be positioned so the headlights could be used to guide the aircraft.
The Royal Flying Doctor aircraft touched down just after 2030hrs, the victim arrived at 2230hrs, 4 1/2 hours after the snake bite, he was still conscious and maintaining the radio.
We tuned into the next mornings VKS-737 radio schedule to hear the victim was safe and recovering well in Royal Perth Hospital.

Peter

And a timely reminder Peter for those that venture out bush to join/donate to the RFDS.
DaveM

Yes David,
The RFDS do a fantastic job helping victims in remote Australia and donations are always welcome.
http://www.flyingdoctor.org.au/

Also will take this opportunity to promote VKS-737 Radio Network.
RFDS can be contacted directly via VKS-737.

http://www.vks737.on.net/

Have had a Barrett 550 HF radio fitted to my vehicle currently, bought it brand new and is now in my third vehicle.
The VKS-737 stations are manned voluntarily. Selcalls can be activated to stations in an emergency and an operator will respond from one of the base stations across the country, including Tasmania.
If you intend to travel remote an HF radio is a valuable addition to your vehicle.
VKS-737 membership is very reasonable and your radio calls are all free. They also allow free radio/telephone calls to your family in emergency situations.

Peter

As a few of you would know I sell snake bite kits on ebay, their compact and the bandaging, which is paramount to the effectiveness of the kit is top quality heavy duty hospital grade, instructions are plain and simple and current good practice, and Ive got no worries sleeping at night because I know its an effective life saving kit, in fact one of the gratifying things that has happened to me was a message from a customer that their young daughter was struck by a black snake in their garage, they used the kit from their car and at the hospital the medical staff made comment on the quality of the bandaging and the fact they knew exactly what to do,.girl ok
Something frightening is the obsolute and ancient,life threatening at the least,instructions some kits still give.Its really buyer be ware stuff.
Wherever you buy your kit or make one up, one of the most important things to do is to read the instructions before it happens not after.

I was under the impression that in event of a snakebite to apply a constrictive bandage at a place above the area of the bite so as to slow the movement of the venom until medical aid could be obtained.

At least that is what St Johns Ambulance teach in their courses.

Ditto re VKS-737 and RFDS, wonderful service and myself, would'nt travel without my Codan.

mullockgrubber wrote:I was under the impression that in event of a snakebite to apply a constrictive bandage at a place above the area of the bite so as to slow the movement of the venom until medical aid could be obtained.

At least that is what St Johns Ambulance teach in their courses.

Ditto re VKS-737 and RFDS, wonderful service and myself, would'nt travel without my Codan.

Info here;
http://www.csl.com.au/docs/422/417/0910%20CSL%20IH%20First%20Aid%20Flyer%20-%20A4%20Compressed,0.pdf

are i think he forgot the anti venom///////////////////////

Hi all that was very interesting link that Nightjar placed on this post very simply put instructions even if you have not got a kit they explained how to make up your own bandages. Thanks for that very important link I would recommend every one to read and even keep a copy of it.

Cheers

Mike.

Thanks Nightjar, that is the procedure and worth printing out and taking out with you when out in snake prone areas.

Nightjar wrote:Morning stayyerau,
Absolutely not, NEVER, cut open a snake bite and try to suck venom out.
The now tried and proven method is to use bandages, strapping tightly above and below bite, leaving the bite exposed so medical staff can swab area to determine type of snake, so as to be able to administer the correct anti venom.
Here is the type of kit you should be looking for.

http://www.firstaidkitsaustralia.com.au/viewitem.asp?id=109&gclid=CKu1kuSt2K4CFUuCpAod83QCdQ

Description here for first aid treatment while waiting for or getting too professional medical help.

http://www.anaes.med.usyd.edu.au/venom/snakebite.html

Several years ago we listened to a HF emergency radio conversation between medical staff and a snake bite victim.
The victim, a geologist had been bitten on the arm by either a Gwarder or Spinnifex snake. The medical staff instructed how to apply the pressure bandages. His mate was driving him cross country to the nearest airstrip, the victim was to maintain communication over the radio.
The nearest airstrip was an outback West Australian sheep/cattle station, and the ETA was going to be after sunset. The Station Manager advised he had recently used the flares to illuminate the aircraft runway so he was arranging all available vehicles in the area to be positioned so the headlights could be used to guide the aircraft.
The Royal Flying Doctor aircraft touched down just after 2030hrs, the victim arrived at 2230hrs, 4 1/2 hours after the snake bite, he was still conscious and maintaining the radio.
We tuned into the next mornings VKS-737 radio schedule to hear the victim was safe and recovering well in Royal Perth Hospital.

Peter

Gday

I was not planning on doing any cutting or sucking of venom, and have always known that this was not an effective method of treating a snakebite, I carry a snakebite kit consisting of restrictive bandages etc, and I am aware of how to use it.

But for instance when you are in the scrub alone and get bitten its a hard thing to do to have a limb, say your leg immobilised, and then manage to drive back to town, so when I saw this kit I was thinking that maybe it was a new method of self treatment so thats why I asked the question in the first place.

Having been trained in the army and spending years tromping the bush and jungle of northern Queensland,and also at times wading through swamps and such I have always been acutely aware of the dangers of being bitten by a snake, I have seen several people that have been bitten and they are treated immediately with pressure bandages and then air lifted by chopper to hospital.

Its far easier for the victim when they are in company but not so easy when you are on your own, but something I would also like to point out its better to be prepared for the event, even if you think that it may never happen to you, and if you wear protective gear such as gaiters, long pants, and good boots, then the chances of a snake strike actually injecting venom will be less likely.

Another thing that I would suggest is that if you ever recieve an injury where you cant identify the reason for it, even on your upper limbs, then get yourself back to town, many snake bites are not classic two fangs mark type things, and can be no more than a scratch or two, often people dont know that they have been bitten in the first place.

Snakes can and will be on the ground, in trees, and will even get up into your vehicle and in your sleeping gear as well, so some caution should be taken when leaving things open or laying about in the bush.

cheers

stayyerAU

Had a few pm's for kits,$20 each posted, pm me and i'll send some deposit details to anyone interested,phill

Hi guys, I carry 6" elastic bandages with me in the bush and at home on the farm. We must have a couple of dozen of them by now.some are getting pretty old.
I figure if you need one then two are better! So I carry them in two's mostly. In every vehicle and pack etc.
I reckon these are the most important thing in your kit.
Sparrowfart

sparrowsfart is on the money. The aim of treating snake bite is to restrict the flow of the poison from the tissue in the arm or the leg to the lymphatic system.

I beleive carrying at least 3 good heavy crepe bandages is the go.