Which practice is contraindicated in snake bite first aid?

Which practice is contraindicated in snake bite first aid?

• A. Keep the person calm and still, immobilize the limb, seek medical care.
• B. Apply a tourniquet.
• C. Keep the casualty moving to prevent stiffness.
• D. Monitor breathing and seek care.

Answer: (B)

The key idea is to slow the spread of venom and get professional care as quickly as possible. Keeping the person calm and still, and immobilizing the affected limb, helps limit how fast venom moves through the lymphatic system and reduces local tissue damage. Monitoring breathing ensures you catch any trouble with airway or breathing early, and seeking medical care addresses potential systemic effects and the need for antivenom. Applying a tourniquet is not recommended because it cuts off blood flow to the limb, which can cause severe tissue and nerve damage and doesn’t reliably improve outcomes. It can also complicate treatment and delay definitive care. Moving the casualty around is not advised, since movement can speed venom distribution.

The key idea is to slow the spread of venom and get professional care as quickly as possible. Keeping the person calm and still, and immobilizing the affected limb, helps limit how fast venom moves through the lymphatic system and reduces local tissue damage. Monitoring breathing ensures you catch any trouble with airway or breathing early, and seeking medical care addresses potential systemic effects and the need for antivenom.

Applying a tourniquet is not recommended because it cuts off blood flow to the limb, which can cause severe tissue and nerve damage and doesn’t reliably improve outcomes. It can also complicate treatment and delay definitive care. Moving the casualty around is not advised, since movement can speed venom distribution.