Snake expert Dr. Tim Erickson explains practical tips on how to treat snake bites.
Learn more and receive CME at https://www.wilderness-medicine.com
Please note: at 2:15 Dr. Erickson misspoke and generally recommends placing the arm at the level of the heart (to manage local swelling but not encourage systemic absorption).
That said, in settings where neurotoxicity from envenomation is likely (and local tissue swelling is of secondary concern), keeping the bite below the level of the heart may slow lymphatic venom absorption.

This video includes a discussion on antivenom, extractors, rattlesnakes, coral snakes, tourniquets, and more.

Timothy Erickson, MD is the Chief of the Division of Medical Toxicology - Department of Emergency Medicine
Brigham and Women's Hosptial | Harvard Medical School

This is video 2 of 2 on snake bites, and covers snake bite treatment. Video 1 covers snakebite prevention.

MedWild provides wilderness medicine, wilderness survival, and search and rescue instructional videos on a variety of topics: high altitude illness, traveler’s diarrhea, shoulder dislocation and reduction, shelter building, bushcraft, space blankets, hypothermia, medical kits, survival kits, frostbite, snake bites and snake envenomation, how to treat snake bites, fire craft, ropes and knots, orthopedic injuries and sam splints, cold water immersion and more.

Instructor: Howard Donner, MD
Co-Author “Field Guide to Wilderness Medicine”
Served as a physician for Denali National Park, Himalayan Rescue Association, and the 1998 NOVA Everest expedition. Served as a medical operations consultant for NASA for over 5 years. Whitewater rafting guide, commercial pilot, and certified flight instructor.

Recommended Audience: Outdoor enthusiasts and health care professionals including physicians, nurses, search and rescue teams, EMT, paramedics, ski patrol, corpsman, guides, instructors, wilderness first responders, and anyone else interested in educational and “how to” videos on wilderness emergency medicine, travel medicine, search and rescue, expedition medicine, backcountry first aid, wilderness survival training, and military medicine. Dr. Donner’s draws on his extensive backcountry and travel experience to highlight key signs, symptoms, treatments, and improvised techniques and skills.

More from MedWild:

Complete Video Library:    / medwildvideos  
Facebook:   / medwildvideos  
Twitter:   / medwildvideos  
MedWild videos featured at: https://www.wilderness-medicine.com

Produced by Kyle Allred PA-C

Please Note: MedWild Videos are for educational purposes and not intended to replace recommendations by your health care provider.