RFDS issues new snake bite management advice

Recommendations for North America are different, because our venomous snakes are not as dangerous.

The major differences are to wash the wound, treating it as a puncture wound, and that a walking self-evacuation is possible if that is the fastest way to an emergency room. Compression bandages are recommended.

The 2017 edition of the Boy Scout wilderness first aid doctrine includes this somewhat contradictory advice about evacuation.

Go for help. The patient should not walk unless it is unavoidable for evacuation. The treatment of choice for snake bite is your car keys—which means you need to evacuate the patient swiftly. [Page 25: https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/680-008.pdf]

Helicopter evac is available almost everywhere in the lower 48 states, including from the top of Mt. Whitney. I would probably send for help and move the bitten person to a helicopter-friendly location.

NOLS also has recommendations and a video: Snakebites: Here's What to Do [Video]

wunder