Question

1. You are clearing brush, in your yard, with your friend Jake. Jake cries out that he has been bitten by a snake. After checking the scene for safety, you go over to Jake and see two puncture wounds in his right calf.

What first aid care will you provide?

2. What are the signs and symptoms of Lyme’s disease?
3. You and your friend Kelly are out for a hike. It is 55 degrees and cloudy. The wind picks up and it starts to rain. After a while Kelly is shivering and says she can’t get warm. She says she just wants to sit down and rest.

1. What type of cold-related emergency is this?
2. What risk factors increase the likely hood of hyperthermia?
3. What should be your priority in helping Kelly?

4. It is a hot, humid day in August. You are coaching the local high school football team practice. During the practice, one of the players starts to limp and falls. You approach him and upon checking him you find he is cool, sweaty, and complaining of cramps in his leg and abdomen.

1. What heat-related illness is he likely experiencing?
2. What are your first aid actions?

Answer 1

Move the limb where the bite happened as little as possible. This will help slow the spread of venom. Take note of the snake’s appearance. Your description will help the doctor identify what bit you. (Your location will also be a clue.) Note the time the bite happened so the doctor knows how much time has passed. Remove any jewelry around the area of the bite before swelling begins. Use Tylenol for pain, if needed. Keep contact information for poison control nearby. If a snake-bite is life threatening, the doctor may administer a course of anti-venom. Every bite is not life-threatening. Sometimes, the extent of the damage caused by the bite is decided by the age and health of the victim. Oftentimes, a wound caused by snake bites is cleaned up, disinfected and treated promptly.