Snake bite first aid guide

[TenX]

Hi All
I dont know if I am in good time to pick one copy for our layout. I can collect it from Rustum, the next time I meet him.
And FYI, I stay in a layout which is a group housing community of about 100 sites in a 24 acre compounded plot. The sites are built around two 4 acre 'Park-area' which is full of bushes and 'wild' growth, primarily owing to non-usage of the wonderful vast space. There are quite a few snakes, and I regularly spot atleast one a week, when my dogs, with whom I jog everyday morning, stop their wild blind run and start snifffing and 'yipping' like crazy. Sometimes, I see in patches of one foot tall grass, the very likely and curvy movements of snake. Sometimes, they are just lying in the trodden path, and I usually retrace my steps. Everytime I plan to get closer, they vanish like WOW! And the days I do see them, I am excited and energetic the whole day.
Now, spottings of these snakes have hapenned below parke cars, inside some houses, coiling lamp posts and in the gutter. The familiar frog croaking sounds are pretty common in the rainy seasons too. Very recently, one f the cobras in the layout gave birth to 5 cute little ones, and I have seen neighbors bring their collegues to see them. Mostly, since I am the only one who uses this park, and since everyone values theor lives more than I value mine, or atleast so, they run up to me asking me to to 'show' them the snakes. I usually scare them away with wild stories of new mother snakes jumping to protect their kin, mostly to keep them away from probable harm to the snakes itself.
There has been just one bite incident of a neighbor of mine, who very luckily managed to get bitten right on his right heel, and on his birthday. Mr. jagan, who is also the Director of Synergy Infotech, and my immediate neighbor, had not even noticed it for the next few seconds, until I spotted the dribble of blood from two small punctures about a cm apart. I tied the usual tight cloth and rushed him to Bangalore hospital where he spend his Birthday Night in so much fear that he probably never slept. Some say that its good NOT to sleep after being bitten.
Anyways, I am sure the book may do more good in my layout with the non-informed neighbors and the three or four types of snakes that I have seen. rat snakes, which are the biggest in number are also the biggest ones aroud and I have a laugh when they scoot looking at people, but unknowingly also create a temporary curvey in that part of the road where they were just spotted. Of course, the several gardeners, who are pretty close to me, share my laughter when they see scared neighbors jump like in Athletic Competitions after seeing one of the 5 footers near their car.

Anyways, snakes are still wonderful to me, and I do know several of you may share this thought.

[Mack The Knife]

I have received 20 booklets today. Those who know my place and want to come over to pick it up can do so. Failing which, PM me your full name and mailing address and I will send it out by courier.

So far 5 booklets have been spoken for. Please note that I am only handling distribution for South India. Also, if you have reserved yourself a copy on Indian Angler, please do not book another on IFG.

The following members have reserved a copy:

1) Mack The Knife
2) W.A.S.I.
3) Pran
4) Sniper
5) TenX
6) Inder
7) Hellfire_M16
8 ) Gasramgandu
9) Nahar

[biking3819]

i have received a set of 6 copies from Dr.Asif today,
and i have 5 to share with guys interested from the mumbai and pune region,please pm your address or if from pune then your tel nos. and i wud be glad to post them.
only 5 copies therefore first come first serve wud be followed:)
cheers sanjiv

[Pran]

Thanks Mack The Knife,Asif.

Asif, is this copyrighted material or can photocopies be circulated?

Pran

[kanwar76]

Hi Rusty,

If you still have one left after everybody book one then please keep it for me, wil pick up.

-Inder

[Mack The Knife]

Inder added to the list.

[Sakobav]

Incidently there was article in WSJ few days back how villagers in West Bengal live and when bitten they weigh treatement by a priest or a doctor.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119604408890703564.html

[Mack The Knife]

Hellfire_M16 added to South India list.

Will courier one batch tomorrow as I wont be in on the weekend. So let me have your full names and addresses via PM if you want your copy asap.

[eljefe]

Pran, as of the moment (C) and MCMXXXXLLLL dont apply.How and who do you want to disseminate it to? there is a soft copy version on IA, feel free to use that.

Snake bite-
I have a fair bit of experience in handling snakes and snakes bite, and tend to be partial to the snake.
Lets stick to the big 4 in India:
Krait
Cobra
Russels Viper
Saw Scaled viper

King cobra is RARE , denizen of deep forests.If you get hit by a King, roll over and send your regards to Broadway or brigade road or chanakyapuri unless 20-50 amps of ASV available!

Russel's Viper has fangs about 2.5cm long, which lie folded along its maxilla or upper jaw.

Others:krait cobra etc have short, fixed fangs, 3-5mm.
Body architecture- King is king! can rear upto 4-5 ft and HOLD its position and look you in the eye.
Others -hands, fingers and toes/ feet common.
DO not try to catch a Russels viper by the tail and lift it up (AKA Tail wrangling) in the mistaken ID for python-yes has happened with a lot of people confusing the short, fat tailed russell's for a python- bite to the face and neck region with obvious results...also, a russel's can form a U if held and lifted by the tail, and and deliver a lethal bite on forearm of the carrier!
Krait- Nocturnal, somnolent by daylight- I have recorded 6-8 yr old kids lift, and put away Kraits in a field and continue with their game-during daylight hours...
Cobra- like the Gecko and dog, highly symbiotic relationship with humans because of the rats and other vermin which are in plenty around human habitations!
Most bites are human-snake conflict
Idea is- make a lot of noise when in a jungly, shrubbery area ,brickpiles etc
Type of bites
DRY : fangs penetrate, no venom injected.
WET: Fang penetration + venom injected.
Stay safe

[Grumpy]

"MCMXXXXLLLL".

1940.50.50.50.50 ?

[TenX]

So let me have your full names and addresses via PM if you want your copy asap.

Anand C K Shashidhar
****edited****

or if you come to the KSRA AGM on the 2nd (Sunday), we can meet there.

[mundaire]

So let me have your full names and addresses via PM if you want your copy asap.

Anand C K Shashidhar
****Edited****
or if you come to the KSRA AGM on the 2nd (Sunday), we can meet there.

TenX, for your own safety please do not post your personal details (like address/ phone etc.) on the open forum... you can share this via PM with other members...

Cheers!
Abhijeet

[Mack The Knife]

Anand,

I am not in this weekend.

Mack The Knife

[TenX]

[TenX, for your own safety please do not post your personal details (like address/ phone etc.) on the open forum... you can share this via PM with other members...

Thanks for the tip. I will keep this in mind

[Pran]

there is a soft copy version on IA, feel free to use that.

That's good. Was thinking of forwarding it to a few friends.

Pran