Encounters with snakes on the mountain are becoming more and more frequent and in the most unexpected places. Salvamont recommendations

The mountain rescuers draw the attention of those who visit the mountain areas that they may encounter snakes more and more often on the trail, but that venomous snakes do not attack on their own initiative. The advice of mountain rescuers is that reptiles should be avoided.

“Meetings with snakes on the mountain are becoming more and more frequent and in the most unexpected places. Three quarters of snakebites occur in people who by their own decision touch snakes and are imprudent.

Venomous snakes only attack when attacked or surprised.

• If you live or travel in areas where snakes exist, wear clothing that covers your legs.
• Take a long stick to use when probing the vegetation and the snakes will get scared and move away.
• Do not step, do not sit on the ground, do not move stone slabs before checking the place.
• If you have noticed a snake at a distance, go around it without provoking it, and if it is very close, stay still, because, in general, it moves away by itself”, state the mountain rescuers.

Signs of viper bite

The only venomous snakes in Romania are vipers, Salvamont points out, therefore, the signs of bites must be recognized.

“The only species of venomous snakes in Romania are vipers, spread unevenly throughout the country, less so in the center and south of Muntenia and Oltenia, but reaching the Carpathians and above the altitude of 2,000 meters.

Signs of a viper bite: acute pain, swelling (swelling) of the affected area, two small stings at a distance of about one centimeter from each other, semi-consciousness.

Other general symptoms: feeling of nausea, vomiting, visual disturbances, breathing difficulties (tachypnea), hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), abdominal pain”, Salvamont also transmits.

First aid measures in case of viper bite

First of all, don’t move and don’t fidget! Otherwise, the heartbeat rate increases, the blood circulation is accelerated and the venom penetrates faster into the circulatory stream; better sit quietly in a shady place.

• Report the event to 112 and wait for the rescuers.
• Thermally insulate the victim if they are shivering,
• Position the victim so that you keep the bite below the level of the heart,
• Clean the venom from the bite with alcohol,
• Use, if you have, a venom suction syringe,
• Place a compression bandage (not a tourniquet) over the bite towards the heart.
• Hydrate yourself only with water and do not administer alcohol, coffee, energy drinks.

“Do not suck the venom with your mouth, do not burn the bitten area, do not put ice on the bite and do not eat or drink alcohol.

Move the victim, without him making any effort, only if you have a means of transport, a stretcher or a vehicle, and only if this provides the victim with a real advantage regarding the time in which he can reach a specialized medical unit”, concludes Salvamont Romania.