It is important to always take snake bites seriously. While some bites are dry, which are less harmful and most likely will swell, others are venomous, and, if not treated carefully and promptly, can lead to death.
Man accused in manslaughter of a boy instead of snake bite
The untimely death of an 11-year-old kid who was bitten by a snake has led Queensland police to accuse a 31-year-old man of manslaughter, as per The Guardian.
The youngster claimed to have been bitten at a property in Murgon, Queensland's South Burnett district, on November 21, 2017, and the man is accused of failing to seek medical assistance.
According to the police, the youngster and the man knew one another. On December 6, the man is scheduled to appear in Murgon magistrates court.
First Aiding snakebites
Being ready before a snake bite occurs is essential for providing efficient first aid. Make sure you've practiced what to do if you are bitten by a snake, as per Ziptac.
Keep the victim as motionless as you can. Only when the victim is moving may venom pass via the lymphatic system. Running away is typically not necessary because the snake will typically try to depart the area swiftly to prevent any further risk.
To request an ambulance, dial 000 or 112. You should take all snake bites seriously until the doctors can determine that some of them are Dry Bites without any venom injection.
You should finish the remaining procedures before seeking assistance when you have no way to contact emergency services
Neither wash the area nor make an effort to remove the venom. Sucking out venoms is ineffective and even dangerous.
Compression bandages should be applied. Wrap the injured limb tightly from bottom to top. The ideal snake bite bandages for your kit would have a tension indicator so you could see just how tightly to wrap the bandage.
Lock down the injured area. Don't attempt to raise the injured limb; instead, splint it if you can prevent any movement and maintain the entire limb very still as you can.
Until help arrives, reassure the victim and maintain their composure. Inform them that almost all snake bite patients recover well after receiving anti-venom to calm them down. Tell them assistance is on the way.
You can update them on the location of the ambulance and inform them that they will receive anti-venom treatment at the hospital shortly.
Read More: Man Attending a Funeral of His Brother Who Died of Snake Bite, Also Gets Bitten by a Snake and Dies
Police must investigate correctly
Investigators should conduct an inquiry impartially and investigate all logical leads to compile evidence that both supports and refutes a suspect, as per the College of Policing.
According to the Home Office's (2020) Counting guidelines for recorded crime, victims should be taken at their word when filing a complaint to register a crime, unless it is immediately obvious that the occurrence did not occur.
To maximize the chances of finding evidence, investigators should fairly test information obtained through inquiries, including victim and witness testimony. They should also apply their technical and scientific knowledge.
Victims should receive the help they need throughout the inquiry and criminal justice process so they can provide their best testimony. Any dangers should be addressed carefully, and they should be channeled toward the right assistance programs.
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