Symptoms and First Aid

Symptoms

Signs or symptoms of a snake bite may vary depending on the type of snake, but may include:

 Puncture marks at the wound

 Redness, swelling, bruising, bleeding, or blistering around the bite
 Severe pain and tenderness at the site of the bite
 Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
 Labored breathing (in extreme cases, breathing may stop altogether)
 Rapid heart rate, weak pulse, low blood pressure
 Disturbed vision
 Metallic, mint, or rubber taste in the mouth
 Increased salivation and sweating
 Numbness or tingling around face and/or limbs
 Muscle twitching

First Aid

Workers should take these steps if a snake bites them:

 Seek medical attention as soon as possible (dial 911 or call local Emergency Medical Services [EMS]).
o Antivenom is the treatment for serious snake envenomation. The sooner antivenom can be
started, the sooner irreversible damage from venom can be stopped.
o Driving oneself to the hospital is not advised because people with snakebites can become dizzy
or pass out.
 Take a photograph of the snake from a safe distance if possible. Identifying the snake can help with
treatment of the snakebite.
 Keep calm.
 Inform your supervisor.
 Apply first aid while waiting for EMS staff to get you to the hospital.
o Lay or sit down with the bite in a neutral position of comfort.
o Remove rings and watches before swelling starts.
o Wash the bite with soap and water.
o Cover the bite with a clean, dry dressing.
o Mark the leading edge of tenderness/swelling on the skin and write the time alongside it.
Do NOT do any of the following:

 Do not pick up the snake or try to trap it. NEVER handle a venomous snake, not even a dead one or its
decapitated head.
 Do not wait for symptoms to appear if bitten, get medical help right away.
 Do not apply a tourniquet.
 Do not slash the wound with a knife or cut it in any way.
 Do not try to suck out the venom.
 Do not apply ice or immerse the wound in water.
 Do not drink alcohol as a painkiller.
 Do not take pain relievers (such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen).
 Do not apply electric shock or folk therapies.

Effects of Electric Shock on the human body

 Depending on the severity of the electric current, there are short-term and long-term effects of Electric Shock on
the human body. The short-term effects are the immediate effects on the body, which can be easily diagnosed
on medical examination, and long-term effects stay for a longer time and are hard to diagnose or track over
time.

The short-term effects include:

 Burns
 Seizures
 Loss of consciousness
 Irregular heartbeat
 Headaches
 Prickling or tingling sensations

Some people might experience unpleasant sensations but not have any significant physical damage, while some
may experience severe pain indicating apparent tissue damage. Those people who do not experience any
substantial injuries or cardiac abnormalities within 24 to 48 hours of Electric Shock are unlikely to have them.

Electric Shock can cause more severe outcomes such as:

 Heart attack
 Coma
 Respiratory arrest

Long-term effects include: A person affected by Electric Shock may have some long-term effects on his
neurological, physiological, and physical health. Some people may also have serious internal damage,
especially to the heart, muscles, or brain due to the electrical effects on these organs. Some of the long-term
effects include:

 Memory loss
 Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
 Depression
 Anxiety
 Loss of balance
 Sciatica (nerve pain)
 Panic attacks
 Insomnia (difficulty sleeping)
 Stiff joints
 Fatigue
 Muscle spasms
 Night sweats
 Concentration difficulties
 Reduced attention span

It should be noted that regardless of how severe the Electric Shock was and whether it caused any physical
injuries, you should seek medical help.

First Aid for an Electric Shock

Here are some quick first-aid pointers.
 Call emergency number for help: Call the local emergency number immediately if you encounter an Electric
Shock accident. Do not touch the person directly, as he may still be in contact with the electric current. Such
incidents always require emergency medical attention, even if the injured person seems fine afterward.
Separate the injured person from the electric current source: Try to turn off the appliance's power by
unplugging it or shut off the power through the circuit breaker, or fuse box. If it is impossible to turn off the
power, try to separate the person from the current using a non-conductive object such as a plastic or wooden
stick, broom, chair, or doormat while standing on something dry and non-conductive such as a wooden board,
dry newspaper or cardboard. If the source of current is high-voltage, then the local power company must shut
them off. If a power line or wire falls on a car, instruct the passengers to stay inside unless a fire or explosion
threatens.
Do CPR, if required: If you can safely touch the injured person, do CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) if the
person does not have a pulse or is not breathing. To perform CPR, you should place one hand on top of the
other in the middle of the chest. Then administer two inches-deep compressions by pushing down hard and fast
using your body weight. The aim is to give 100 to 120 compressions in 60 seconds. Then tilt the person’s head
back, lift his chin, pinch his nose closed and blow into his mouth to make his chest rise. Make sure the person’s
mouth is clear before performing the rescue breaths. Perform two rescue breaths followed by 30 compressions.
Repeat this until medical help arrives or the person starts breathing.
Check for other injuries: If the injured person is bleeding, then apply pressure and elevate the wound if the
arm or leg is bleeding. Also, if the shock made the person fall, then he may have a fracture. Cover the burned
areas with a clean cloth or bandages if the person has sustained burn injuries.
Follow-up: After the person is taken to the hospital, the doctor will examine him for burns, dislocations,
fractures, and other injuries. The doctor may recommend tests such as blood tests, urine tests, ECG
(electrocardiogram), CT (computed tomography) scans, or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) if required. If the
person has serious injuries or burns, he will be admitted to the hospital or burn centre.
How to prevent Electric Shock

Some precautions can be taken to prevent Electric Shocks. These include:

 Inspect electric cords regularly for fraying.

 Avoid plugging too many devices into one outlet.
 Replace all two-pronged outlets.
 All electrical outlets near water sources should be of GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter).
 Make sure all power tools are double installed or grounded.

Electric Shock injuries range from minor to severe, depending on the intensity of the electric current. Many
accidents due to Electric Shock happen at home, so it is essential to regularly check household appliances for
signs of damage. Also, people working closely with electrical systems should take particular care and follow
safety regulations.