The main categories of the inhabitants of Russia, which the viper attacks most often, are mushroom pickers, hunters and fishermen. A snake can be especially dangerous at the beginning of autumn - in the midst of the mushroom season. At this time, the creeping predator likes to bask in the gentle autumn sun, while settling in a place where it is very difficult to find it. One awkward movement of a lover of "quiet" hunting, and that's it - he has already been bitten, and that he will need urgent help.

First aid for a viper bite

First aid to a person who has been bitten by a viper should be provided immediately, since the snake's venom spreads quickly enough throughout the human body. It is necessary to help the victim in the next 30-40 minutes after the bite, and if this is not done, the person can.

The first thing to do after being bitten by a snake is to immobilize the victim. A person who has been bitten by a snake must himself understand that any muscle contraction, whether it be a movement with an arm or a leg, promotes the spread of poison through his lymphatic vessels.

The victim must be helped to lie down so that his lower limbs are above the level of the head - this will temporarily delay the destructive effect of the poison on the cerebral circulation.

After the victim is immobilized, it is necessary to remove as much poison as possible from the wound that the snake inflicted. The best option is to suck the poison out for 10-15 minutes. The procedure for suction of toxic substances can be dangerous only if there are wounds or ulcers in the mouth of the person providing assistance to the victim. After each suction, spit out the poison.

After providing the necessary first aid to the victim, a loose bandage should be applied to the site of the snakebite. It is necessary to ensure that the person, through whose body poison is circulating, drinks any liquid as much as possible. If there is a deterioration in the victim's condition, he should be injected intravenously with some anti-inflammatory agent. For these purposes, "", "prednisolone" or "diphenhydramine" is quite suitable. By the way, every mushroom picker, fisherman and hunter traveling through the forest wilderness must have a first-aid kit with all the necessary preparations.

What not to do when bitten by a viper

In no case should a tourniquet be applied to the site of the bite, as it can disrupt blood circulation in the victim's body. As a consequence of this violation, there is a fairly high probability of getting gangrene of the limb.

Also, you cannot cauterize, cut the bite site and moisten it with even the weakest solution of potassium permanganate. It is strictly forbidden to allow the victim to drink alcohol, because as a result of alcohol intoxication, the destructive effect of the poison on the body can only intensify.

Many of us like to spend our free time actively: arrange hiking in the forest with an overnight stay, go to conquer the mountains, swim in reservoirs. Active rest gives not only unforgettable emotions and a meeting with beautiful landscapes, a person may face danger - vipers, which are also part of nature. Are you ready to meet them?

General information about the viper

The viper family includes 58 species. Snakes live in Europe, Asia and Africa. All representatives of the viper family are poisonous and dangerous to humans. They are mainly terrestrial. The exceptions are:

The following types of vipers are most numerous:

  • steppe viper. Above the snake is brown-gray, along the body there is a dark stripe. Inhabits the steppes. The snake is small, the fangs are short, injects a small amount of poison into the victim. Fatalities after being bitten by this viper have not been recorded. Lives in the steppes of Western Europe, in the forest-steppe regions of southern Russia, in the Caucasus, found in the Crimea;
  • Caucasian viper. A distinctive feature is its bright color. The color ranges from yellowish orange to brick red. The snake is not large, it rarely grows in length up to 60 cm.Only isolated deaths from its bite are known. Distributed in the regions of the Western Caucasus and Transcaucasia, found in Eastern Turkey. In the northern direction, it lives on the territory of the Krasnodar Territory;
  • nosed viper. It got its name from the presence of a soft spike on the tip of the muzzle, resembling a nose in shape. Lives in the north-east of Italy, in the countries of the Balkan Peninsula, on the territory of Yugoslavia, Romania, in the regions of Asia Minor, in the mountains of Armenia and Georgia;
  • noisy viper. The snake is large, with a thick body, reaching 1.5 meters in length. When an enemy is near, it emits a very loud hiss. The probability of death from a bite is 15–20%. Distributed throughout Africa;
  • gabon viper. It has a thick body and grows up to 2 meters long. The color of the snake is motley and effective. Various colors form a clear geometric pattern on the surface of the snake. The snake is very calm, rarely attacks people. However, the bite of this viper almost always ends with the death of the victim: the snake has long fangs, which leads to the rapid penetration of poison into the body. Lives in Liberia, South Sudan, Angola;
  • common viper. It can be gray and brown; a dark stripe can be seen along the body. Fatalities after being bitten by this snake are rare. Distributed throughout Eurasia.

Photo gallery: representatives of the viper family

The common viper has an unpretentious color Various colors form a geometric pattern on the back of the Gabonese viper The Caucasian viper is distinguished by a bright color The snake has a powerful and thick body Steppe viper is a small snake Soft spike on the tip of the viper's muzzle looks like a nose

The common viper is often mistaken for a snake by people. External signs of a snake that distinguish it from a viper:

  • there is no dark stripe along the ridge;
  • uniform color;
  • below the head is a yellow collar.

A distinctive feature of the snake is a bright yellow collar

Unlike the viper, it is no longer poisonous.

The common viper can be found in many places:

  • on forest edges;
  • in the forest and spruce;
  • in a mixed forest with abundant grass cover;
  • in the forest-steppe zone;
  • on the banks of rivers and lakes;
  • in the meadows;
  • in the vegetable gardens of rural land.

In summer, snakes make their nests in abandoned burrows of other animals, among large stones, under haystacks, in rotten stumps. Either human intervention or lack of food can force them to leave their homes. Snakes hunt at night: they catch small rodents and birds. During the day they sleep in a nest or crawl out to bask in the sun, lying on paths, stumps, stones. In winter they hibernate, which ends at the end of April.

Why does a snake bite a person

The snake has no reason to attack. The viper is not aggressive and, having met a person, crawls to the side. A snake bites if it feels threatened - this happens when a person accidentally steps on it or invades its habitat. Vipers live in groups, choosing places suitable for wintering. In such areas, the number of snakes can exceed 90 individuals per hectare. Getting into places where vipers congregate, a person is exposed to increased danger.

Vipers hibernate in groups

Sensing a threat, at first the viper hisses, rises above the ground, scares the person with threatening throws. If a person makes sudden movements, the snake attacks.

Before the attack, the viper scares the victim

The viper has large fangs in its mouth. The poisonous gland is located above the upper jaw and is connected with it by an arcuate duct. This shape of the duct makes possible the rotation of the jaw, while the poison enters the canines without obstruction. With a bite, the temporal muscles located near the poisonous glands are actively contracted, the poison enters a person subcutaneously, intramuscularly, or through the vessel canal. Upon penetration into a vessel, it spreads throughout the body instantly. The amount of poison is small, the snake spends it sparingly: it will take a long time to create a new portion.

In the mouth of the viper there are two poisonous fangs, which the snake plunges into the victim

The viper venom belongs to the group of hemovasotoxic poisons that are capable of damaging small vessels, destroying red blood cells and impairing blood clotting. The most dangerous snake bite is in the spring: the venom contains more toxins than at other times. According to statistics, 1% of affected people, most often small children, die from viper bites.

Vipers are excellent swimmers, so you can also see them in the water.

Vipers are excellent swimmers and can travel long distances on water.

A snake bite in water is rare. Vipers settle at a decent distance from the water and find themselves in it, crossing to the other side. The maneuverability of the viper in the water is higher than that of a person; the snake, when threatened, will try to swim away as quickly as possible.

Viper bite symptoms

The severity of symptoms when bitten by a viper depends on factors:

  • body weight of the victim. The less a person weighs, the brighter the symptoms after a bite. Therefore, young children tolerate it more difficult than adults;
  • localization of the wound from the teeth of the snake. Bites to a blood vessel, the surface of the head and neck pose a particular threat;
  • air temperature. At high temperatures, the intoxication of the body is more active;
  • the amount of poison. A viper's bite can occur without injecting poison, if the viper has recently sunk its teeth into a person or an animal and a new portion of the poison has not yet been developed.

Local symptoms:

Common signs of a snake bite:

  • weakness throughout the body;
  • dizziness;
  • headache;
  • tachycardia;
  • nausea;
  • vomit.

If a child is bitten or the viper venom enters the vessel, the symptoms appear rapidly and are severe:

  • the motor function of the bitten limb is impaired;
  • paralysis extends to the entire trunk, affects the muscles of the face;
  • breathing becomes intermittent and heavy;
  • swallowing function decreases;
  • the work of the heart is disrupted;
  • uncontrolled urination is observed.

First aid

Actions for a viper bite:

  1. Go to the hospital immediately or call an ambulance.
  2. Try to suck off the poison. This action is effective within 10-15 minutes after the snakebite, before the edema appears. The latter indicates that the poison has spread to the surrounding tissues and it is pointless to continue the procedure. The skin around the wound is collected in a fold and squeezed so that drops of blood appear. The aspirated liquid is immediately spit out. A person who is sucking off poison should rinse his mouth with a disinfectant solution after the procedure. If there is no antiseptic, water is used for rinsing.
  3. Treat the bite with hydrogen peroxide, chlorhexidine, or another antiseptic.
  4. Immobilize the bitten part of the body: with activity, the spread of poison throughout the body is accelerated. If the bite is in the hand, the limb is fixed in a bent position. If the bite is made in the leg, then it is tied to the second lower limb, and the victim is laid so that the legs are above the level of the pelvis. This posture stabilizes blood circulation.
  5. Apply a loose bandage to the wound. Use a bandage or clean cloth.
  6. To reduce swelling to the wound, periodically apply cold, the best option is ice. Every 5-7 minutes, the cold is removed from the bite site to avoid frostbite of the limb.
  7. The victim needs to drink a lot: about 3 liters of liquid. Use water, juices, soda.
  8. If possible, take an antihistamine: Zyrtec, Suprastin, Tavegil, Fenkarol.

Before receiving medical assistance, it is prohibited to:

  • use alcohol to clean the wound;
  • apply a tourniquet (tight bandage) to the surface of the bite. This will provoke necrosis of the limb;
  • cut the wound yourself to release the poison from there. There is a high probability of introducing an infection;
  • apply earth, grass to the wound. There is a risk of contracting tetanus;
  • the victim to consume alcohol, which increases the intoxication of the body and reduces the effect of anti-snake serum.

Video: how to behave properly with a viper bite

Hospital Medical Assistance

In the hospital, the treatment of a viper bite occurs according to a certain scheme:

  1. Serum is introduced.
  2. An infusion of glucose, Ringer's, sodium chloride solutions is used to eliminate toxins from the body.
  3. Diuretics are prescribed (Furosemide, Trifas).
  4. The victim is given orally or an antihistamine is administered intramuscularly, if this is not done before arriving at the hospital.
  5. A tetanus vaccine is given, regardless of whether a person was vaccinated on a planned basis or not.
  6. Glucocorticoid drugs (Dexamethasone, Prednisol) are prescribed, which have anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects.
  7. To avoid a purulent process in the body, broad-spectrum antibiotics are used (Cefotaxime, Cefepim).
  8. For preventive purposes, in order to prevent liver and kidney failure, hepatoprotectors (Berlition, Gepadif) are prescribed.
  9. In case of severe intoxication of the body, hemodialysis is performed.
  10. For symptoms of heart failure, Cordiamine, Caffeine are used.
  11. If bleeding is profuse, blood transfusions are used.
  12. If the victim has convulsions, Calcium gluconate is injected intravenously.

When bitten by a viper, the Serum against the venom of the common viper is used. You need to enter it within a few hours after the snake bite. Serum contains antibodies that can neutralize snake venom. The basis of the antidote is horse serum. It is important to pay attention to some points:

  • the serum is used only for a viper bite, if a person has been affected by other snakes, the antidote will not work. It is also forbidden to inject serum when bitten by a viper, intended to neutralize the poison of other types of snakes. Previously, antihyurza serum was used in hospitals, but its action was not always effective and it caused many side effects;
  • the serum should be administered by a doctor. Misuse of antivenom can harm the victim. There is a possibility of anaphylactic shock due to an allergic reaction to a foreign protein;
  • serum is injected subcutaneously at a dosage of 0.1 ml. In the absence of an allergic reaction at the injection site, another 0.25 ml of antidote is administered after 20 minutes. Then, after 15 minutes, apply the rest of the antidote. The required volume of injected serum is selected by the doctor based on the severity of the symptoms;
  • if the poisoning is strong, the antidote is administered intravenously using a dropper.

Diagnosis with a viper bite

The hospital carries out a thorough diagnosis of the patient's condition. The necessary studies are assigned:

  • general blood analysis. Allows you to assess the number of leukocytes, platelets, erythrocytes, hemoglobin level;
  • blood chemistry. Helps to track the functioning of internal organs. The toxic effects of the poison can affect the functioning of the kidneys and liver. Liver parameters are assessed: bilirubin, ALT (alanine aminotransferase), AST (aspartate aminotransferase), alkaline phosphatase, albumin; renal parameters: uric acid, creatinine, urea;
  • Coagulogram is an analysis that helps to assess blood clotting. The prothrombin index (PTI), fibrinogen, prothrombotic time and other indicators are determined;
  • general urine analysis. Helps to track changes in the functioning of the urinary system;
  • electrocardiogram. With the help of this study, abnormalities in the work of the heart are monitored;
  • chest x-ray. It is done if you suspect pulmonary edema.

Treatment prognosis and possible complications

If an adult is bitten by a viper, but first aid is provided correctly, the victim is quickly taken to the hospital, the prognosis is generally good.

When bitten by young children, the consequences are more serious, and death can also happen. Before arriving at the hospital, severe intoxication of the body can occur, which leads to liver or kidney failure. Therefore, it is important to get the child to the hospital as soon as possible.

A pregnant woman has a high risk of intoxication not only of her own body, but also of the fetus. After being attacked by a snake, you should undergo a thorough examination.

If a person refuses to receive medical attention after being bitten by a snake, complications may develop:

  • tetanus;
  • lymphedema;
  • phlebothrombosis.

There are bacteria in the mouth of the viper, after a bite there is a possibility of developing tetanus. Also, the cause can be the ingress of earth, dirty grass into the wound, if the rules of hygiene are not followed. Tetanus symptoms:


Tetanus is often fatal.

Lymphedema is a condition in which, due to infection, the outflow of fluid through the lymphatic vessels is disturbed, and edema of the soft tissues of the affected limb occurs. Symptoms:


Conservative treatment of lymphedema does not always give a positive result, and surgical intervention is often necessary.

In the bitten limb, phlebothrombosis may occur, which is characterized by the formation of blood clots in the veins. Symptoms:


Phlebothrombosis is treated surgically.

How to protect yourself from harm

A viper bite can be avoided by following simple rules:

When stopping in the forest for the night, take actions that reduce the risk of a viper attack:

  • create strong vibrations of the soil: stomp, jump. The snakes will leave such a place;
  • close tents tightly. Press the edges of the tent with stones to the ground;
  • do not leave clothes outside the tent;
  • be careful when moving through the forest at night. Snakes are active in the dark.

A person is able to prevent the attack of a snake, the safety rules are simple and unpretentious. If the incident has already occurred, do not panic: in a stressful situation, we often do the wrong thing. Try to get medical help as soon as possible and do not refuse it.

Let's talk now about a viper bite and about what first aid should be for such a bite. First of all, I will honestly say that (yet) I have never been bitten by a viper. Unfortunately (on the other hand - fortunately), I personally know people who have suffered from a viper bite. Unfortunately, because there is nothing pleasant about it. Fortunately, because they are alive and well. And even more: their immunity after a bite gains some resistance to possible subsequent bites.

Viper bite. How it happens

Usually a viper has no reason to bite a person. A snake is small (compared to others, for example, with a gyurza), and a person is big. Vipers bite either at the moment of dangerous proximity of a person, when he accidentally steps or touches the snake with his hands. Or when a person enters the nesting site of a viper, and she protects the territory. The first option is much more common. The second usually occurs in the spring, during the breeding season.

Conclusion from the above: In order not to be bitten by a viper, it is necessary to exercise caution and attention in the places where vipers live. No matter what they write, the viper usually warns of its presence with a hiss. Hissing is not an attempt to bite. It's like saying "be careful, I'm here." If you leave the viper alone or even start playing with it with a long (not short!) Stick, it will certainly tend to crawl away.

But if you touch the viper with your hand or foot (without a rubber boot), the result will be an almost lightning bite.

Viper bite. First aid

Much depends on the size of the viper. The larger it is, the more poison will get into the wound. The more the bite will hurt.

What to do with a viper bite:

1. Do not use a tourniquet. You just can't, that's all. Otherwise, the tissues will die. You cannot cauterize the wound, cut it and bleed. The viper venom spreads very quickly throughout the body. It is necessary to help the body as quickly as possible to cope with the received dose of poison, and for this, the first thing to do is to reduce this amount as much as possible.

2. If possible, it is necessary to immediately remove some of the poison from the wound. Mouth, glass (as when placing cans on your back), in any way. All the poison can not be removed this way, but even some of the poison, if removed, will affect the recovery process. It is clear that it is not difficult to independently remove some of the poison from the upper extremities by mouth. In case of a bite in the legs, you will have to use the same glass (or something similar) or ask someone for help. In any case, it is advisable to do this in the first 10 minutes after the bite.

3. If there is an opportunity to go to the first-aid post and get help, then this should be done within 30-60 minutes after the bite. An antidote called Antiaddyuk is introduced, which neutralizes the effect of the poison. If the antidote is introduced later, it will do little to help.

4. If a bitten person does not have the opportunity to seek medical help, then, in principle, it is possible to lie down at home. Without a doubt, the bitten limb will swell quickly. If the portion of the poison was large, and it was not possible to remove some of the poison, the edema can also spread to the trunk. You also need to be prepared for the appearance of rather severe pain at the site of the bite. These are all the rules of the game. This happens after a bite.

5. If possible, take a Suprastin tablet to suppress possible allergic reactions after a bite.

6. Take a horizontal position, raising your legs above head level. It is advisable to observe maximum immobility. This will make it easier for the body to fight the poison.

7. Plentiful sweet drink is desirable. You shouldn't take alcohol. The body already has something to neutralize.

8. If there was an opportunity to seek medical help, you need to understand that a person bitten by a viper will most likely be placed in stationary conditions for up to a week. Usually they put a dropper, which facilitates the process of processing the poison.

9. At home, it is also necessary to rest for several days until the swelling and redness subsides.

10. When bitten by a swamp viper (common), the lethality is usually less than 1 percent. But bites in the neck, bites of small children and people with severely weakened immunity remain severe. In these cases, urgently deliver the bitten person to a medical facility.

The viper venom is very dangerous. Many of us know about this from childhood. How exactly does it work in the human body? What does it lead to and how to save the one who was bitten by the viper? We'll talk about this below.

What are the vipers?

Viper, otherwise viper (Latin Viperidae) is a family of snakes known for their venomousness. For humans, only the largest species are dangerous, since the venom of these amphibians is much less toxic than the venom of snakes of the aspid family. These amphibians are widespread in Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America. Moreover, they are found in almost all types of landscapes and can live at altitudes up to three thousand meters above sea level. They lead a lifestyle similar to that of a nocturnal predator and usually sleep during the day. They feed mainly on amphibians, small rodents, birds and insects. Food depending on where a particular individual lives.

It is worth noting that snakes of this family do not warn their prey about an impending attack with sounds or an aggressive posture, as, for example, snakes of the aspid family do. Instead, they prefer to sit in ambush until the very last moment. Only when the victim is in the immediate vicinity of the snake does a lightning attack occur. In this case, the mouth of the amphibian opens more than 180 degrees, the long fangs are put forward and pierce the victim's body, the mouth closes with great force and the muscles around the poisonous glands squeeze a portion of the poison into the victim's body. It is essentially both a bite and a blow at the same time.

Of the snakes of the viper family that are most dangerous to humans, the following species live in our region. This is primarily:

  • common viper (Vipera berus),
  • steppe viper (Vipera ursini),
  • asp viper (Vipera aspis),
  • sand viper (Vipera armodytes).

These are species of vipers that are relatively harmless to humans. The Armenian viper (Vipera xantima) is a little more dangerous. The most dangerous of these snakes for humans are the gyurza (Vipera lebetina) and the sandy ephae (Echis carinatus).

The effect of a viper bite on a person

As already mentioned here, the viper's bite is also a blow. The need for this method of attack is due to the properties of the venom of vipers. The fact is that intact skin does not absorb this poison at all and the snake, in any case, needs to damage the skin, which is achieved through long and sharp fangs and a shock-like method of attack. It is also worth noting that subcutaneous fat does not allow the poison to be absorbed, therefore it is necessary for the viper to have long canines.

The main venom of the viper is H-alpha-proteinase and H-beta-proteinase. These substances, when absorbed into the blood, cause destruction of the walls of blood vessels and blood coagulation. In addition, the leukocyte membrane is destroyed, which contributes to the accumulation of infections at the site of the bite and the appearance of a difficult-to-heal ulcer there, up to gangrene.

In the process of further spreading in the victim's body, the viper venom continues to exert its destructive effect on the blood vessels. As a result of this, the internal organs of the victim begin to be affected. So, for example, the kidneys try to remove poison from the body, but they themselves begin to suffer due to the destruction of the vessels inside them, which contributes to the appearance of hemorrhages and, as a result, blood appears in the urine. When it enters the digestive system, the viper venom destroys the walls of blood vessels there, which leads to the appearance of inflammation with hemorrhages. In this case, the poison itself is neutralized by the digestive juices and bile of the victim. In addition, the tissues of the liver and spleen are greatly affected by the action of the poison.

The main symptoms of a viper bite are as follows:

  • the presence at the site of the bite of two small, but clearly visible and very clear traces from the poisonous fangs of the viper,
  • slight pain at the site of the bite in the first minutes after it,
  • burning at the site of the bite during the same period,
  • swelling at the site of the bite during the same period,
  • redness at the site of the bite during the same period.

All of this is a local reaction to a viper bite. Within a short time, the pain at the site of the bite increases and becomes unbearable, edema develops. Already at this stage, symptoms of a general body reaction to a bite appear in the form of weakness and dizziness.

20-40 minutes after the bite, all of the above symptoms develop and intensify. So, unbearable pain and swelling capture more and more new parts of the victim's body, and dizziness and weakness intensify. In this case, the following symptoms are also observed:

  • Blood pressure decreases due to the destruction of blood vessels.
  • Palpitations become more frequent (in general, the heart beats faster, but much weaker).
  • Pallor of the skin is observed.

Also during this period, the appearance of nausea and vomiting is possible.

In the future, in the absence of adequate medical care, fainting or, conversely, increased excitement may occur. The body temperature also decreases. In addition, pain in the region of the heart is possible. Finally, convulsions appear.

Also, over time, in the area of ​​the bite site, tissue necrosis with a difficult-to-heal ulcer in the outbreak itself is observed. In addition, blood appears in the victim's urine. If in the future the victim is not provided with adequate medical care, gangrene may develop at the site of the bite.

Death in such cases usually occurs from extensive destruction of the vessels of the circulatory system, in which the further functioning of the body becomes impossible.

First aid and treatment

It must be said that for the survival of the victim, a very important factor is the timely provision of adequate first aid and further medical treatment. So, in case of failure to provide first aid to the victim, even the bite of a viper, which is relatively harmless to humans, can lead to fatal consequences. At the same time, if first aid and further treatment are provided correctly, then the victim has a fairly large chance to survive after being bitten by even the most dangerous species of vipers for humans.

It should be remembered that first aid should be provided to the victim immediately after the bite. In no case should you underestimate the danger to life that has arisen as a result of this.

The rules of conduct for a viper bite and first aid must necessarily include the following methods:

  • Immediately after the bite, measures should be taken to prevent re-bites.
  • If the bite is in the hand, you need to remove all rings and bracelets from it, so that with the further development of edema, nothing exerts pressure on the tissues.
  • The first 20-40 minutes you need to suck the poison out of the wound, spitting it out. This can also be done with a syringe, after cutting off the nose from it.
  • Then the wound must be treated with any antiseptic to avoid infection. It can be alcohol, iodine and other agents.
  • It is necessary to provide the victim with peace so that the poison does not spread through the body too quickly and the latter has the opportunity to mobilize forces to fight the consequences of the bite.
  • The victim should be provided with plenty of drink, as this will contribute to the early detoxification of the body.

Immediately after providing first aid, the victim must be taken to a doctor, where treatment will begin. It, as with the bite of any other poisonous snake, consists in the fact that the patient is injected into the blood to the poison. In this case, it should be serum from a viper bite. It should be noted that for the bites of different types of vipers, the most effective will be the introduction into the blood of an antidote from the corresponding species of viper. So, if the victim was bitten by a common viper, then serum against the poison of the common viper should be injected into his blood.

It must be said that any serum should be administered only with the permission and in the presence of a doctor. This is due to the fact that the medicine is a biological product and can cause an allergic reaction, up to anaphylactic shock.

Of the rest of the drugs for a viper bite, the doctor can prescribe antihistamines, pain relievers and heart support drugs. But only if necessary.

How to avoid a dangerous bite?

I would also like to note that avoiding a bite is quite simple and certainly much easier than treating it. It is enough just to follow some rules. After all, snakes, including vipers, do not at all strive to attack a person. Moreover, even if you invaded the territory of the viper, it will try to escape from you. And only if she does not see a way to escape will an attack follow.

Here are the rules to help you avoid being attacked by a viper:

  • Walk only along paths and do not turn into dense grass. The fact is that vipers often hide from their enemies and potential victims in natural shelters, like tall grass. Walking on it, you can frighten off the viper and thereby provoke it to attack. The same goes for dense bushes.
  • Do not put your hands and feet in crevices, hollows and holes. Vipers love to use these hiding spots. By sticking an arm or a leg there, you can scare the snake located there, and it will attack you.
  • If you still need to break the two previous rules, be sure to carefully pierce such places with a long shelf. Better the viper attack the stick than your leg.
  • Be sure to wear tall shoes and wide-leg pants when outdoors. It is better to choose leather from materials for shoes, since it will be difficult for a viper to bite through it. Wide trousers are better than tight-fitting ones because if a snake bites them, then there is a chance that its fangs will not reach your body.
  • When staying overnight in nature, avoid setting up your tent in dense grass or near dry fallen trees. Vipers love to hide in such places. Sleep is best on raised surfaces where it is harder for snakes to climb. And before using the bedding and clothes lying on the ground, you must definitely shake them, as a viper can lurk there.

Finally, it should be said that vipers do not perceive a person as their natural enemy. In all those cases when they bite a person, the snakes are just defending themselves. It is important to remember this with any contact with these reptiles.

Conclusion

The viper bite is fraught with great danger. The poison released by it in this case can affect the vital functions of the body and cause death. Therefore, first aid measures must be provided immediately. It is important to know them for those who are often in nature and in the habitats of reptiles. Also, do not neglect the rules of bite prevention.

Camping in the summer is not a great opportunity to spend a weekend? A tent, a bonfire or a camp on the beach ... Everything is conducive to a great pastime. Only in addition to pleasant impressions, a number of minor troubles can also occur: annoying midges, mosquito trills at night, or even snakes. If everyone knows how to cope with the first two types of uninvited guests, then what to do if a poisonous reptile decided to take part in your tourist outing? Here it is necessary to take about the same actions as with a scorpion bite, although there are a number of important differences!

Snake bite symptoms

If the snake that has bitten you is not poisonous, urgent medical care is not required: you just need to treat the wounds with antibacterial compounds (brilliant green, iodine, hydrogen peroxide) and you can safely continue your rest.

And if the snake was poisonous? First, how to distinguish such a bite from a harmless one? Secondly, how to avoid the most dire consequences? First, let's look at the symptoms.

  1. The site of the bite is "decorated" with two punctures (in rare cases, one), the presence of which is accompanied by edema, as well as severe itching and burning.
  2. There is a general weakness in the body.
  3. There is a feeling of nausea and vomiting.
  4. The functions of the speech apparatus are impaired.
  5. Difficulty breathing.
  6. Paralysis may develop. And also symptoms of kidney failure may appear.

By the way, the symptoms of poisonous snake bites of different species are slightly different from each other. For example, if a viper snake has bitten the body temperature begins to drop sharply, consciousness begins to get confused. When a Central Asian cobra bites, an involuntary movement of the facial muscles occurs, and control over the eyes and their movements is also lost. But be that as it may, the general symptoms of snake venom intoxication are the same.

What to do if bitten by a poisonous snake: step by step instructions

  • The first thing to try is to suck the poison out of the wound. Moreover, this is done in the first five minutes after the bite, otherwise the poison enters the bloodstream and begins to accelerate into the internal organs. For those who, therefore, are afraid of falling under the influence of snake venom, we will immediately explain: even if there are wounds in the mouth, it is almost impossible to get poisoned.
  • Second, it is necessary to ensure the immobility of the bitten, in particular, the affected limb. Ideally, splint. This will prevent the poison from spreading throughout the body.
  • Third, provide the bitten person with an abundant warm drink. Sweet tea goes well. If you have antihistamines with you in your first aid kit, then taking them will not worsen the situation. Be careful and do not take all antimicrobial drugs in a row, this can only harm!
  • And fourth - send the bitten one to the hospital as soon as possible. Further, only the professional intervention of doctors can save the situation.

What to do if bitten by a snake

Actions for a snakebite: first aid

In addition to the above actions that must be performed after the poisonous snake has stung, remember individual points when bitten by a viper. After all, it is considered one of the most poisonous species of snakes.

  • First, try to remove the victim as far from the scene as possible, as there is a chance that the snake that bit him could not be alone.
  • Second, try to squeeze out the venom by firmly grasping the area around the bite with your hands.
  • Thirdly, make sure that there are no jewelry left on the arm (or leg) that the snake bitten: the limb will begin to swell, and the jewelry will only interfere in the future.
  • Fourth, drink plenty of fluids. This has already been discussed earlier, but we will duplicate this point. Drinking too much reduces the concentration of the poison in the blood.

Prophylaxis

How can a poisonous snake bite be prevented? It is hard to say. But remembering the list of actions when meeting with a dangerous reptile is definitely worth it.

  1. You shouldn't draw attention to yourself if you saw a snake. One sudden movement, wave of your hand, or a loud sound from your side can provoke an attack.
  2. If you are driving in overgrown areas, use a stick, to push the vegetation in front of you.
  3. When going on a hike, make sure your clothes are thick and your boots are high. Thus, when the snake attacks, there is a possibility that its bite simply will not break through your equipment.
  4. If you decide to camp for the night, choose an open area with low grass, and avoid mountains and rocks.
  5. Provide yourself with these necessary things in advance: first aid kit, medicines, etc.
  6. Before getting comfortable in a tent or sleeping bag, be sure to shake them up: this way you check. whether an uninvited guest has climbed into them.

Consequences

The consequences of a poisonous snake bite for the human body depends on the composition and properties of the components of the venom in the body.

The main constituents of the poison are enzymes that break down various types of tissue.(hyaluronidase, phosphokinase, protease), and toxic amino acids, proteins and carbohydrates.

Hyaluronidase - detaches connective tissue, destroys the walls of small capillaries, increases the permeability of tissues to water and ions. Phosphokinase - breaking down the lipid layer of erythrocytes, leads to their destruction.

The designated elements thin the membranes of cells containing bioactive substances (histamine, heparin, etc.), which inevitably contributes to their release and the manifestation of inflammatory and allergic reactions (edema, redness, pain, itching).

The snake's venom is carried through the body through the lymph. Its components negatively affect the walls of blood vessels, destroying them and forming blood clots, as a result of which blood circulation and water-lipid balance are disturbed.

What does a snake bite look like?

Complications of a snakebite

Complications with a snakebite can occur with an illiterate provision of first aid to the victim. If you do not put him to rest in time and do not take all the necessary measures, the poison can spread throughout the body, and then irreversible changes in the internal organs will begin. Internal blood loss is accompanied by a sharp drop in blood pressure, and as a result, it can lead to unconsciousness.

Deterioration of heart function can also occur due to loss of pressure. Renal failure is a process in which you need to immediately help the victim. Otherwise, this functional of the body will be lost, and it may not be possible to restore its correct operation.

Thus, the only outcome that will be possible in such a situation is fatal.

What not to do if bitten by a poisonous snake

In addition to what you can and should do with a snakebite, there is also a list of what to do is definitely contraindicated.

  1. A tourniquet cannot be applied in the immediate vicinity of the bite site. The poison, not finding blood vessels to spread throughout the body, will do it through the bone veins, and in this case, the process is faster, and the negative consequences may be worse.
  2. Alcohol also speeds up the spread of the poison. Therefore, after the bite, no alcoholic beverages.
  3. In no case should you cauterize the bite with kerosene or nitric, carbolic or sulfuric acid.
  4. Metal objects that have been very heated over a fire should not be used in order to cauterize the wound. The chemical constituents of the poison can react with metal particles, and the body's reaction to the poison will be even worse.

    5. Author of the publication

    I am fond of hiking and travel, photography and video filming.

    I have been hiking since childhood. The whole family went and went - now to the sea, now to the river, to the lake, to the forest. There was a time when we spent a whole month in the forest. We lived in tents, cooked at the stake. This is probably why even now I am drawn to the forest and, in general, to nature.
    I travel regularly. About three trips per year, 10-15 days each, and many 2 and 3 day hikes.