First aid for snake bite

Source:http://www.indiansnakes.org/snake%20bites/snake%20bites%20first%20aid%20treatments.html

First Aid
It is important to remember that snakes do not bite out of whim. They are usually forced to bite. The good news is that venom has evolved as a mechanism to subdue prey and Snakes need to conserve their venom for that purpose. Most snake-bites occur when the snake is accidentally provoked. In some cases (getting more frequent these days), the victim has simply asked for it. If you find yourself in a snake‐bite situation, simple protocol and presence of mind could end up saving the victim’s limb or even life.

First Things NOT to Do:
•Never try to suck out the venom.
•Never make an incision.
•Never go to traditional healers or try home remedies.
•Tie tourniquets or use ice.
•Never clean out or tamper with the site of the bite.
•Never try and catch the snake or kill it.

All the above actions do not work and often cause more damage than good.

Here are things you SHOULD do:

• Make sure the victim and others are a safe distance away from the snake and Try to memorize its appearance .
• STAY CALM and in control.
• Take charge of the situation and reassure the victim.
•Remove Watches, rings, bangles and anything else that will become constrictive if the limb was to swell up.
•Try to immobilize the victim. Never let him/her run and only allow to walk if unavoidable.
•In case of neurological bites (All elapid's and hydrophilic: Cobras, King Cobras, Kraits, Coral snakes and Sea Snakes), pressure immobilization (Sutherland method - with Long crepe or other stretchy bandage (5 - 10 cm wide, several rolls) and splint to be applied immediately to the bitten limb, starting at the digits and working up to the groin or arm pit.

Do NOT waste time with trying to get any elaborate first aid.
•Get to hospital as soon as is safely possible.
•Note the time of the bite and the progression of any visible symptoms.
•Give the doctor a brief and detailed description of the bite and symptoms.
Anti snake venom serum is the only proven cure for venomous snakebites.

(A) Apply a broad pressure bandage from below upwards and over the bite site as soon as possible. Do not remove trousers, as this will help the venom to enter into the bloodstream. Keep the bitten limb still. (You can splint the limb)

(B) The bandage should be as tight as you would apply to a sprained ankle. The patient should avoid any unnecessary movements.

(C) Extend the bandages as high as possible (ideally up to the groin or in the case of arm, up to the armpit).

(D) Apply a splint to leg, immobilizing joints on either side of the bite.

(E) Bind it firmly to as much of the leg as possible. Walking should be restricted.

(F) Bites on the hand and forearm : bind to the axilla, use a splint to the elbow and use a sling.

Pressure immobilization (Sutherland method) - courtesy David A. Warrell

Snakebite Prevention
• As always, prevention is better than cure.
• Take care when clearing vegetation, raking dry leaves in your garden.
• Supervise kids in the outdoors, especially in a green neighborhood.
• Use torch/flashlight at night and keep wearing those shoes.
• Check shoes before wearing them.
• Watch your step and see before you sit!
• Keep your backyard free of junk and make sure your solid waste is managed properly. 
• If you see a snake, do nothing. Let it go. 
• Do not try to pick it up or kill it. 
• If a snake has entered your premises, call professional snake rescuers.

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IS ECONOMIC GROWTH GOOD FOR US?

July 9, 2012 · by Natalie Mayer · in Book review, Economics for sustainable development. ·

In the world today, we are brought up on the idea that “growth is good”. We rejoice when we hear that the economy has grown, because it means we’re getting richer as a country and hopefully as individuals. But is this really the case?

The problem with the business-as-usual approach

This business-as-usual approach is based on a belief that economic growth must continue indefinitely in order to support a growing population and push people out of poverty. This seems logical at first glance. However, there is one crucial thing that supporters of the business-as-usual approach are ignoring: the natural environment on which the economy (and society) relies for survival.

Natural resources are being treated as if their supply is endless, and the environment is expected to cope with increasingly large amounts of pollution. But the truth is that many natural resources are limited in supply, such as crude oil and coal. Those that are renewable, such as forests or fish stocks, can only renew themselves at a particular pace. In addition, land, air and water resources can only absorb certain types of pollution, at a particular rate.

Globally, as well as in South Africa, we’re already suffering from resource overshoot. In their Living Planet Report 2010, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) found that we are using the earth’s resources at a rate 50% faster than the earth can produce them, and releasing more carbon dioxide than ecosystems can absorb.

Thus, an economy based on finite resources, and which exceeds the capacity of the environment to renew and restore itself, cannot keep growing indefinitely.

Economic growth: What is it really measuring?

The other concern is that economic growth doesn’t necessarily translate into greater prosperity for a country’s citizens. Firstly, the economic growth figure itself is only a neutral measure of spending. Besides housing and food purchases, for example, it also includes money paid for “negative” services such as cancer treatments or the cleaning up of oil spills. A rising economic growth figure could in fact mean that human health in the country is deteriorating, or pollution is increasing. So, economic growth alone cannot be a measure of increasing prosperity or quality of life.

In addition, economic growth doesn’t necessarily mean that the increased wealth is shared fairly across the population. In fact, the UNDP’s Human Development Report in 2011 noted that income inequality is deteriorating at a country level across much of the world. So the supposed “trickle down” effect of economic growth to the poor is not taking place as predicted.

If not business-as-usual, then what?

Tim Jackson’s book, Prosperity Without Growth: Economics for a Finite Planet is a reality check for business-as-usual supporters. No fringe scientist or tie-dyed hippie, Jackson is Economics Commissioner on the Sustainable Development Commission, an independent advisory body to the UK government. He presents a well-argued, lucid case for a sustainable economy, and explains what that would look like and how we could get there. He also skilfully ties this in with the current economic crisis and the problem of debt.

Jackson begins by examining the goal behind the goal, which is not economic growth itself but the prosperity it is supposed to bring. This is something we frequently forget as we conduct business and put all our focus on the bottom line. He looks at the link between wealth and happiness (which is a lot weaker than you might have expected) and why rising incomes are accompanied by an increasing frequency of depression. The factors affecting our perception of the quality of our lives are varied, and surprisingly our financial situation has only a little direct influence when compared to partner and family relationships, for example.

Jackson notes that while growth is unsustainable, de-growth is no more sustainable as it leads to a spiral of recession. A steady state economy needs to be achieved, but how? The author explores the solution of decoupling, which in essence is the decreasing of reliance on natural resources – a strategy of efficiency. While necessary, decoupling may only ever reduce the rate of growth, not eliminate it. Searching for other solutions, Jackson investigates the impact of consumerism, Keynesian economics and the Green New Deal, and ecological macro-economics. Finally he offers a plan to allow society to flourish within ecological limits, and suggests strategies for governance to bring this about. He concludes with chapters on the transition to a sustainable economy, and a vision of lasting prosperity for the world.

Jackson writes clearly and accessibly, without “dumbing down” the content. It is a great and pertinent read in these times, and well worth the space on your Kindle.